2007-05-01 03:49:47 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Without reading much before or after, it sounds like he's saying that studying the Bible is pointless and will not help anyone. That you need to go directly to God (or Jesus?) rather than the Bible for the answers or eternal life.
I'm not a Bible expert (obviously)
2007-05-01 04:27:35 · answer #1 · answered by Pico 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
John 5:39-40, You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Jesus was talking to the religious Jews. They believed that their religion was what was going to save them. Jesus told them that the Scriptures (Torah) was the word of God that testified that God would send a savior which is Jesus. He is the salvation that gives life. The Jews were denying Him. Further down in verse 45-46, Jesus tells them that Moses testifies of Him.
Other examples: Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.testify of Jesus.
2007-05-01 18:36:30 · answer #2 · answered by 4HIM- Christians love 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This verse is frequently misunderstood. It is not an imperative, but indicative. In other words, Jesus is saying "you search the Scriptures" making a statement, he's not urging them to do it.He tells them that they search the Scripture thnking that in them they will find eternal life, but they don't understand that the Scripture testify of Jesus. The Scriptures speak of Him, but the religious ruleres are unwilling to come to Him. They are missing the point. If we search the Scripture, and miss Jesus for our salvation, we took are missing the point. A wonderful book to help you understand the Bible is J. Vernon McGee's Through The Bible series. You can get 5 vols. in hardback or individual paperbacks. They are down to earth and easy to understand. Hope you will try them.
2007-05-01 04:07:08 · answer #3 · answered by Wantstohelp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd appreciate it if you'd copy the verse as I don't have a bible to hand nor know it off the top of my head.
Taken from below:
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life. "
To me this suggests John is accepting that the Bible doesn't have all the answers and is not a golden pathway to heaven as many people would believe.
2007-05-01 03:54:01 · answer #4 · answered by tom 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus is scolding the people that were murmuring over him healing the man by the water.
In easier terms to understand:
You think that if you study your scriptures, and follow the "Law of Moses" to the letter that you will have eternal life, but you doubt ME, when the law prophesies that I will be here... you are too blinded by the letter of the law to see that you have to come through ME for eternal life.
Jesus, many times, scolds the Jews for their ridiculously strong following of the law.... In Matt, Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees that through their traditions (their version of the Law of Moses), they make the law of GOD none effect.... basically they put more faith in the letter of the law than in GOD.
2007-05-01 04:02:55 · answer #5 · answered by jas2_dm 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
5:39 - 40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Matthew 7:21-29
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
1 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
___________________
People can be in the scriptures frequently and still not know Jesus Christ. People can diligently search the scriptures and pick certain verses and read them out of context and still not really be saved.
Jesus warned us that there would be people that even do deeds in His name but Jesus doesn't know them. They think they are saved! They think they know Jesus...but He doesn't know them.
We are to examine ourselves. Am I really a Christian? Do I really know who Jesus is? Is the Jesus I have in my mind the same Jesus that is in the Bible? Am I growing? Am I following the things I read in scripture? Do I pass the test? The test isn't a one time test...we need to test ourselves frequently.
2007-05-01 04:44:51 · answer #6 · answered by Red-dog-luke 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We must search the Scriptures for heaven as our great end; For in them ye think ye have eternal life. We must search the Scriptures for Christ, as
the new and living Way, that leads to this end. To this testimony Christ adds reproofs of their unbelief and wickedness; their neglect of him and his doctrine. Also he reproves their want of the love of God. But there is life with Jesus Christ for poor souls. Many who make a great profession of religion, yet show they want the love of God, by their neglect of Christ and contempt of his commandments. It is the love of God in us, the love that is a living, active principle in the heart
John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
2007-05-01 04:09:17 · answer #7 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is saying that just because you read the bible, follow the law doesn't mean you have eternal life.
The Scriptures are all about Jesus, yet they did not recognize Him.
They claimed they knew God, but they couldn't see He was standing right in front of them.
2007-05-01 03:57:47 · answer #8 · answered by Spoken4 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Jewish scholars searched the Scriptures, thinking that in diligent study they would find eternal life. The Scriptures directed them to Jesus, but they would not come to Him to receive that life.
2007-05-01 04:01:58 · answer #9 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well It appears that it is talking about people who study constantly thinking that by doing that they are "saved" however they do not accept the free Gift of God to be saved (they want their good stuff to save them but it does not)
2007-05-01 03:58:07 · answer #10 · answered by big202b 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋