John 5 41

John 5:41 kjv

I receive not honour from men.

John 5:41 nkjv

"I do not receive honor from men.

John 5:41 niv

"I do not accept glory from human beings,

John 5:41 esv

I do not receive glory from people.

John 5:41 nlt

"Your approval means nothing to me,

John 5 verses

John 5 41 Meaning

This verse states Jesus' clear declaration that He does not receive or derive His honor and glory from human beings. This profound statement underscores His divine self-sufficiency and His absolute reliance on the Father's approval as His sole validation and source of purpose. His mission, identity, and worth are not contingent on, nor driven by, the accolades, recognition, or esteem of mankind. Instead, His every action and word flow from an unbroken communion with God, aiming purely at the Father's will and glory, establishing a fundamental distinction between His motivations and those of His human audience, particularly the Jewish leaders.

John 5 41 Context

John chapter 5 is set against the backdrop of Jesus' healing of an invalid on the Sabbath at the pool of Bethesda. This act ignites severe opposition from the Jewish leaders, who seek to kill Him for breaking the Sabbath and, more significantly, for making Himself equal with God by claiming God as His own Father. In response, Jesus delivers an extensive discourse, defending His authority, His unique relationship with the Father, and the divine nature of His works.

The immediate context leading to verse 41 involves Jesus presenting several witnesses to His claims: John the Baptist, His own works, the Father's direct testimony, and the Scriptures themselves (vv. 31-40). However, the Jewish leaders remain unbelieving. Verse 41 serves as a pivotal statement to explain why they do not believe: their motivations are fundamentally misaligned. While Jesus' purpose is to honor the Father and be glorified by Him, the Jewish leaders are consumed by seeking honor from each other, making them incapable of receiving the truth about Jesus who comes from God. This statement is a direct pre-emptor to the accusations in John 5:42-44, laying bare the spiritual pride and misplaced values that hinder their faith. Culturally, first-century Judaism, particularly its leadership, placed significant value on public reputation, honor, and theological conformity, making Jesus' renunciation of "honor from men" a sharp polemic against their deeply entrenched worldly pursuits within a religious guise.

John 5 41 Word analysis

• I (οὐ λαμβάνω - ou lambanō): The pronoun "I" is implicit in the verb. The "οὐ" (ou) is a strong, objective negation ("not"). The phrase "οὐ λαμβάνω" (ou lambanō - I do not receive/take/accept) indicates an active, definitive rejection or refusal. Jesus is not merely stating that He lacks human honor, but that He intentionally does not make it a goal, nor does He base His self-worth or actions on it. It conveys His supreme independence from human judgment and approval.
• receive (λαμβάνω - lambanō): In this context, lambanō signifies more than simply "taking" or "getting." It implies an acceptance, an internalization, or making something one's own. Jesus emphatically refuses to accept human praise as a legitimate or motivating source for His life and ministry. It implies not being driven by it, not validating oneself through it, and not depending on it.
• not (οὐ - ou): This is an absolute negation in Greek, emphasizing the definitive nature of Jesus' statement. It's a statement of fact and unwavering principle, not merely a preference.
• honor/glory (δόξαν - doxan): The Greek word doxa here, though often referring to divine glory (the radiant manifestation of God's presence, inherent splendor, or divine majesty as seen in John 1:14, 2:11), in this specific phrase, "δόξαν παρὰ ἀνθρώπων," it refers to the esteem, reputation, praise, or accolades bestowed by human beings. It highlights a critical distinction between the glory inherent to Christ as God (which He does not "receive" from men) and the glory sought by or given by men (which He explicitly rejects as a goal). Jesus possesses divine doxa but renounces human doxa.
• from (παρὰ - para): This preposition indicates the source, origin, or agency. "From beside" or "from the side of." Here, it directly points to "men" as the originators of this particular doxa that Jesus is refusing to accept.
• men (ἀνθρώπων - anthrōpōn): This refers to humanity in general, but in the immediate context of Jesus' confrontation with the Jewish leaders, it pointedly implicates them. It refers to human sources of approval, evaluation, and validation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "δόξαν παρὰ ἀνθρώπων" (doxan para anthrōpōn): This phrase is crucial as it clarifies what Jesus does not receive and from whom. It precisely defines the rejected object: not glory in general (which He possessed as divine), but glory specifically originating from men. This human-derived honor is depicted as insignificant to Jesus' divine being and purpose, serving as a direct contrast to the divine glory He truly sought and embodied from the Father. This distinction between heavenly and earthly "glory" is a recurring theme in John's Gospel.
• "οὐ λαμβάνω δόξαν" (ou lambanō doxan): This combination expresses a fundamental disposition and mission. Jesus emphatically declares that seeking or accepting human glory is not part of His purpose. His mission is wholly aligned with the Father's will, whose glory is ultimate, enduring, and divine. By refusing "δόξαν παρὰ ἀνθρώπων," Jesus underscores His status as one sent from God who represents only God, and not human institutions or agendas.

John 5 41 Bonus section

The word δόξα (doxa), translated as "honor" or "glory" in this verse, is a particularly significant concept in John's Gospel. While here it denotes human esteem, John also uses doxa frequently to refer to the divine, inherent glory of Jesus as the Son of God, manifest in His miracles, words, and especially in His crucifixion and resurrection (e.g., John 1:14, 2:11, 11:4, 17:5). The juxtaposition is striking: Jesus possesses divine glory, yet utterly disdains human glory as a motivational or validating force. This demonstrates that true glory is not found in human commendation or external recognition, but in union with God and fulfilling His purpose. This paradox serves to expose the spiritual bankruptcy of those who crave earthly status, highlighting that their inability to believe in Jesus stems from a fundamentally misdirected value system.

John 5 41 Commentary

John 5:41 reveals the core principle governing Jesus' life and ministry: His ultimate loyalty and motivation lie solely with God the Father. By declaring that He does not receive honor from men, Jesus articulates a divine autonomy, distinguishing His mission from any human-centric pursuits. This is not a dismissal of all human interaction or positive regard, but a decisive rejection of human praise as a source of validation or a motivating factor for His identity and work. It profoundly contrasts with the human tendency, particularly prevalent among the religious leaders of His day (and in every age), to perform for public acclaim and social status. Jesus highlights the spiritual blindness caused by seeking approval from others, which prevents true faith in the One sent by God (as elaborated in John 5:44). For the believer, this verse sets a foundational example: true spiritual integrity stems from seeking God's approval alone, freeing one from the fleeting and often corrupting desire for human adulation. It is a call to align one's values with divine judgment rather than human opinion.