John 5:46

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 5:46 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.
John 5:46 — American Standard Version

Context — John 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
46For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For had ye believed Moses, etc.] The doctrine of Moses, and what he says in his writings: ye would have believed me; for there is an agreement between Moses and Christ; Christ is the end of the law of Moses, and in him is the accomplishment of his writings: for he wrote of me; in the books written by him, Christ is spoken of, as the seed of the woman, that should bruise the serpent’s head; as the seed of Abraham, in whom all nations of the earth should be blessed; as the Shiloh, to whom the gathering of the people should be; and as that prophet, who should be like unto himself, to whom the people of Israel should hearken; and he wrote many things typically of Christ; and indeed, the whole…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“he wrote of me--"an important testimony to the subject of the whole Pentateuch--'of Me'" [ALFORD].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Do not think that I will accuse you - Do not suppose that I intend to follow your example. They had accused Jesus of breaking the law of God, John 5:16. He says that he will not imitate their example, though he implies that he might accuse them. To the Father - To God. There is one that accuseth you - Moses might be said to accuse or reprove them. He wrote of the Messiah, clearly foretold his coming, and commanded them to hear him. As they did not do it, it might be said that they had disregarded his command; and as Moses was divinely commissioned and had a right to be obeyed, so his command reproved them: they were disobedient and rebellious. He wrote of me - He wrote of the Messiah, and I…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He wrote of me - Every where; in all his writings; particularly Deu 18:15, Deu 18:18. Next: John Chapter 6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“had: Gal 2:19, Gal 3:10, Gal 3:13, Gal 3:24, Gal 4:21-31 for: Joh 1:45; Gen 3:15, Gen 12:3, Gen 18:18, Gen 22:18, Gen 28:14, Gen 49:10; Num 21:8, Num 21:9, Num 24:17, Num 24:18; Deu 18:15, Deu 18:18, Deu 18:19; Act 26:22; Rom 10:4; Heb. 7:1-10:39 John 5:47”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification