John 5:39 – “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the religious leaders of His time. These were men who devoted their lives to studying the Scriptures, believing that by knowing and following God’s laws, they would receive eternal life.

However, Jesus challenges their thinking. He tells them that the Scriptures they study so carefully are actually pointing to Him—yet they refuse to come to Him. They have head knowledge of God’s Word, but they lack heart knowledge.

This is a powerful statement because it shows that Bible study alone does not save anyone. The Scriptures are meant to lead people to Jesus, and eternal life comes through Him—not just through knowing the Bible.

Historical Context

The Jewish religious leaders—Pharisees, scribes, and teachers of the law—were passionate about studying the Old Testament. They memorized Scripture, debated its meaning, and built their lives around keeping the law.

They believed that obedience to the law would bring them eternal life, but they missed the purpose of Scripture—to lead them to the Messiah.

• The Old Testament contains prophecies, symbols, and foreshadowing of Jesus (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53, Psalm 22).
• The Jewish leaders had all the knowledge they needed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, yet they rejected Him.
• Instead of seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Scriptures, they were stuck in legalism and traditions.

This was one of Jesus’ biggest criticisms of the religious leaders: they honored the Scriptures, but they rejected the One the Scriptures pointed to.

Theological Implications

1. The Bible Points to Jesus – The purpose of Scripture is not just to give religious rules but to reveal Jesus Christ as the source of eternal life.
2. Studying the Bible Without Faith in Christ is Empty – Knowledge of the Bible is useless if it does not lead to a relationship with Jesus.
3. Eternal Life is Found in a Person, Not Just a Book – The Bible leads us to Jesus, but salvation is found in Him, not in religious knowledge alone.
4. Religious Activity Does Not Equal True Faith – The religious leaders were diligent in their studies, but they missed the heart of God’s message—salvation through Christ.

Literary Analysis

This verse contrasts two different ways of approaching Scripture:

• The wrong way: Studying the Bible as an academic exercise, thinking that knowing Scripture alone brings eternal life.
• The right way: Reading the Bible to know Jesus personally, understanding that the Scriptures testify about Him.

The phrase “you study the Scriptures diligently” suggests great effort and discipline. But effort alone does not lead to salvation—faith in Christ does.

The word “testify” is legal language, emphasizing that the Scriptures give clear evidence about Jesus, just like a witness testifies in court.

This verse fits into the larger theme in John’s Gospel: Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises, yet many refuse to accept Him.

Biblical Cross-References

• Luke 24:27 – “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
• John 1:45 – Philip tells Nathanael, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth.”
• Matthew 5:17 – Jesus says, “I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them.”
• 2 Timothy 3:15 – “The Holy Scriptures… are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
• Acts 17:11 – The Bereans examined the Scriptures to see if Jesus was truly the Messiah.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Bible Study Must Lead to Jesus – Reading and memorizing Scripture is good, but its purpose is to draw us closer to Christ.
2. Religious Knowledge is Not the Same as Salvation – Someone can know the Bible but still not know Jesus personally.
3. We Should Read the Old Testament with Christ in Mind – The whole Bible points to Jesus, so we should look for Him in both the Old and New Testaments.
4. Eternal Life Comes Through Jesus, Not Just Religion – Going to church, reading the Bible, and following religious traditions are good, but true life is found only in Christ.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He gave us His Word to lead us to Jesus. He does not want people to be lost in religious activity—He wants them to know His Son and have eternal life.

• God gave prophecy after prophecy about Jesus so that people would recognize Him.
• God provided the Scriptures as a guide to salvation, not as a rulebook for earning righteousness.
• God invites everyone to come to Jesus, not just to study about Him but to personally know Him.

This verse reveals God’s deep desire for people to experience true salvation, not just religious rituals.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the central figure of the Bible. Every part of Scripture—whether law, prophecy, history, or poetry—ultimately points to Him.

• Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17).
• Jesus is the promised Messiah in the Old Testament (Luke 24:27).
• Jesus is the key to eternal life—not just studying about Him, but knowing Him personally (John 17:3).
• Jesus rebuked religious leaders because they valued the Scriptures but rejected the One they testified about.

The entire Bible testifies about Jesus, and if we read it correctly, we will see Him in every page.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach us about the right and wrong way to study the Bible?
2. Why did the religious leaders fail to recognize Jesus even though they studied the Scriptures?
3. How can we make sure we are reading the Bible in a way that strengthens our relationship with Jesus?
4. What Old Testament passages do you see that point to Jesus?
5. How does this verse challenge us to move beyond religious knowledge to true faith in Christ?

This verse is a reminder: Bible study is not just about gaining knowledge—it is about meeting Jesus. The question is: Are we just studying Scripture, or are we letting it lead us to Christ?