John 5:38 – “Nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders of His time, confronting them with a hard truth: even though they studied God’s Word, it did not truly live in them.

These men were experts in the Scriptures. They memorized large portions of the Old Testament, followed religious traditions, and prided themselves on their knowledge of God’s laws. Yet Jesus tells them that God’s Word was not dwelling in them because they refused to believe in the One whom God sent—Jesus Himself.

This statement reveals something important: knowing Scripture is not the same as truly living by it. These religious leaders had knowledge, but they lacked faith. They had information, but they did not have transformation. If God’s Word had truly lived in them, they would have recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of everything they had studied.

Jesus’ words are a warning: religion without faith is empty. It is possible to read the Bible, go to church, and even teach others about God, yet still miss the truth of who Jesus is.

Historical Context

The Jewish religious leaders—the Pharisees and scribes—were highly respected for their deep knowledge of the Scriptures. They studied, debated, and interpreted God’s laws daily. They believed that their knowledge made them righteous before God.

However, Jesus challenges them because their hearts were hardened.

• The Old Testament was full of prophecies about the coming Messiah, yet when Jesus arrived, they rejected Him.
• They loved the laws and traditions, but they missed the heart of God’s message—faith in Jesus.
• John the Baptist, the miracles of Jesus, and even the voice of God the Father (John 5:37) all testified to Jesus’ identity, but they refused to believe.

This verse exposes the difference between head knowledge and true faith. They knew the Word but did not have the Word dwelling in them.

Theological Implications

1. Faith and Knowledge Must Go Together – Knowing Scripture is important, but it must lead to faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Spiritual Blindness is Possible Even for Religious People – It is possible to read the Bible and still miss the truth if our hearts are not open to Jesus.
3. True Belief Leads to Transformation – When God’s Word truly dwells in us, it changes our hearts and leads us to trust Jesus.
4. Rejecting Jesus is Rejecting God’s Word – The religious leaders thought they honored God, but by rejecting Jesus, they were actually rejecting God’s message.

Literary Analysis

This verse continues Jesus’ argument that the Jewish leaders have all the evidence they need to believe in Him, yet they refuse.

• “Nor does his word dwell in you” – This means that, even though they studied the Scriptures, God’s Word had not taken root in their hearts.
• “For you do not believe the one he sent” – This phrase explains why God’s Word was not in them: they rejected Jesus, the very fulfillment of Scripture.

John’s Gospel often contrasts true belief vs. empty religion, and this verse is a direct challenge to those who claim to know God but reject Christ.

Biblical Cross-References

• Psalm 119:11 – “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (God’s Word must be in our hearts, not just in our minds.)
• Deuteronomy 6:6 – “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” (God’s Word should shape our lives.)
• Isaiah 29:13 – “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
• John 8:47 – “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
• James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Reading the Bible is Not Enough—We Must Live It – It is possible to study Scripture but not be changed by it. The goal of Bible study is not just knowledge, but a deeper relationship with Jesus.
2. Belief in Jesus is the True Test of Faith – If someone claims to know God but rejects Jesus, they do not truly know Him (John 14:6).
3. We Must Let God’s Word Dwell in Us – The Bible should shape our thoughts, actions, and faith, not just be something we read occasionally.
4. Beware of Empty Religion – Church attendance, Bible study, and religious activity mean nothing without faith in Christ.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He gives us His Word and sends Jesus so that we might believe and be saved.

• God does not want us to be spiritually blind – He provides clear evidence of Jesus so that we can know the truth.
• God’s Word is a gift meant to change us – He wants His Word to dwell in our hearts, not just in our minds.
• God is patient with those who struggle to believe – Even though the religious leaders rejected Jesus, He still gave them the opportunity to turn to Him.

This verse shows that God desires a real, life-changing relationship with us, not just outward religious behavior.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the central figure of God’s revelation. If someone rejects Him, they reject God’s Word.

• John 1:1, 14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (Jesus is the Word of God in human form.)
• John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Faith in Jesus means letting His words shape our lives.)
• Hebrews 4:12 – “The word of God is alive and active.” (God’s Word is powerful and transforms those who truly believe.)

Jesus is not just another teacher—He is the fulfillment of everything written in Scripture. To reject Him is to reject God’s revelation.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean for God’s Word to “dwell” in someone?
2. Why do you think the religious leaders rejected Jesus despite knowing the Scriptures?
3. How can we make sure we are not just reading the Bible, but letting it shape our lives?
4. What is the difference between knowing about God and having a relationship with Him?
5. How does this verse challenge us to examine our own faith?

This verse is a wake-up call: Are we truly letting God’s Word dwell in us, or are we just going through religious motions? The answer is found in how we respond to Jesus Christ.