John 5 42

John 5:42 kjv

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

John 5:42 nkjv

But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.

John 5:42 niv

but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.

John 5:42 esv

But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.

John 5:42 nlt

because I know you don't have God's love within you.

John 5 verses

John 5 42 Meaning

John 5:42 states that Jesus possessed intimate knowledge of His Jewish adversaries, recognizing that they genuinely lacked a sincere and devoted love for God within themselves. This verse uncovers the profound spiritual deficit beneath their outward religious observances. Their failure to accept Jesus, the one sent by God, directly revealed this internal absence of divine love. It underscores that true devotion to God naturally includes acknowledging and embracing His Son.

John 5 42 Context

John 5:42 occurs during an intense confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem, following Jesus' healing of an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath (Jn 5:1-9). This act provoked opposition, as they sought to kill Jesus for both breaking the Sabbath and claiming equality with God by calling God His own Father (Jn 5:18). Jesus' discourse from verse 19 onwards is His defense and exposition of His divine identity and authority, stemming from His intimate relationship with the Father. He asserts His authority to give life and execute judgment, citing the Father's testimony, John the Baptist's witness, His own works, and the testimony of the Scriptures (Jn 5:19-39). The immediate preceding verses (Jn 5:40-41) accuse them of being unwilling to come to Him for life and note that He does not accept glory from human beings. Verse 42 then reveals the core reason for their unbelief and hostility: a fundamental lack of love for God.

John 5 42 Word analysis

• But I know you (οἶδα ὑμᾶς, oida hymas):
  • οἶδα (oida): "I know." This Greek term implies a settled, comprehensive, and experiential knowledge, rather than a mere intellectual acquaintance (ginoskō). It speaks of intuitive and inherent understanding, characteristic of divine omniscience. Jesus possesses a full discernment of their innermost being, not just their outward actions or words.
  • ὑμᾶς (hymas): "you" (plural). Directly addressing the Jewish leaders, highlighting their collective spiritual condition.
  • Significance: Jesus' statement is not an accusation based on inference, but a declarative truth born of His divine insight. He penetrates their outward piety to expose their true spiritual state.
• that you do not have (ὅτι τὴν ἀγάπην οὐκ ἔχετε, hoti tēn agapēn ouk echete):
  • οὐκ ἔχετε (ouk echete): "you do not have." The negative particle οὐκ (ouk) asserts a direct factual denial. ἔχετε (echete) means "to have," implying possession or internal presence. It is a categorical statement that this love is completely absent within them, not merely diminished.
  • Significance: Their lack is absolute. This is not a partial love, but a fundamental deficiency.
• the love of God (τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ Θεοῦ, tēn agapēn tou Theou):
  • ἀγάπην (agapēn): "love" (accusative case). This is agape, a distinctive Christian term for selfless, unconditional, divine love. It's not philia (brotherly affection) or eros (romantic love). It's a love originating from God, demonstrated by God, and commanded by God.
  • τοῦ Θεοῦ (tou Theou): "of God." This is a genitive construction that can be interpreted subjectively ("love from God," i.e., God's love dwelling in them) or objectively ("love for God," i.e., their love directed towards God). Given the context of their rejection of Jesus, the objective sense (their love for God) is paramount, though the absence of God's love in them leads to this. They did not truly love God back, which prevented them from recognizing and accepting His Son.
  • Significance: This defines the quality and source of the missing love. It's not human affection, but a divine, life-transforming devotion.
• in yourselves (ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, en heautois):
  • ἐν (en): "in," signifying internal presence or abiding.
  • ἑαυτοῖς (heautois): "yourselves." This reflexive pronoun emphasizes that this deficiency is not external but a deeply intrinsic condition. It resides at the core of their being.
  • Significance: The lack of love is a matter of the heart, an internal spiritual reality, not merely a misunderstanding or a doctrinal dispute.

John 5 42 Bonus section

The "love of God" in this context refers to their reciprocal love for God. This is distinct from God's agape love for humanity, although the latter enables the former. The absence of their love for God leads them to reject the manifestation of God's love (Jesus). Jesus here implies that their actions of hostility and rejection towards Him are definitive proof that their supposed devotion to God is superficial. If they truly loved God, they would love and welcome His messenger, recognizing Him through the works He performs in the Father's name. This underscores a significant Johannine theme: one cannot claim to know or love the Father while rejecting the Son.

John 5 42 Commentary

John 5:42 is a piercing statement that cuts through the religious pretensions of Jesus' Jewish interlocutors, revealing the root cause of their animosity and unbelief. Jesus, through His divine knowledge, directly addresses their internal state, exposing that their failure to recognize and receive Him is not due to a lack of evidence or understanding, but a profound spiritual deficiency: they do not genuinely possess love for God.

This "love of God" (agape) is central. It implies a selfless, devoted affection for God that would naturally incline one to accept the one whom God has sent, namely Jesus Christ. Their fervent commitment to religious practices, the Law, and their ancestral traditions ironically obscured this foundational commandment: to love the Lord their God with all their heart (Dt 6:5; Mt 22:37-38). If they truly loved God, they would recognize and embrace His Son (Jn 8:42, 15:23; 1 Jn 2:23).

The phrase "in yourselves" (ἐν ἑαυτοῖς) highlights that this absence of love is an intrinsic condition, not just an outward behavioral flaw. Their hearts are not aligned with God's will. This lack of divine love prevents them from accepting the "glory that comes from the only God" (Jn 5:44) and instead compels them to seek "glory from one another." Thus, their unbelief is not merely intellectual disagreement but a spiritual state rooted in a fundamental misdirection of their affections.

This verse serves as a profound theological statement, illustrating that true relationship with God is characterized by inward, genuine love, which inevitably leads to acceptance of Christ. It acts as a solemn warning against religious hypocrisy and a lack of true spiritual affection.

Examples:

• A person rigorously following religious rituals but displaying disdain for others.
• Someone claiming deep faith but actively rejecting core teachings about Jesus' identity.
• Seeking validation from religious community instead of from God.