John 5:43 kjv
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
John 5:43 nkjv
I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
John 5:43 niv
I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.
John 5:43 esv
I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
John 5:43 nlt
For I have come to you in my Father's name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them.
John 5 43 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 7:18 | "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." | Christ seeks Father's glory, not His own. |
| Jn 8:42 | "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came forth and have come from God; for I have not come of My own initiative, but He sent Me." | Christ's divine origin and mission. |
| Jn 12:43 | "for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God." | Human preference for worldly approval over God's. |
| Deut 18:20-22 | Warnings against false prophets who speak in their own name. | Distinction of true vs. false prophecy. |
| Mt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Warning against deceptive leaders. |
| 2 Tim 4:3-4 | "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires..." | Desire for pleasing messages over truth. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." | Call to discernment for spirits/teachings. |
| Rev 13:1-18 | Description of the beast (Antichrist) and false prophet rising, embodying self-proclaimed authority. | Foreshadowing of final false leader. |
| 1 Thess 2:3-4 | The man of lawlessness, "who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship..." | Prediction of Antichrist's self-exaltation. |
| Lk 16:15 | "And He said to them, 'You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.'" | Critique of human-esteemed values. |
| Gal 1:8-9 | "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" | Warning against alternative gospels. |
| Jn 3:32 | "He who comes from heaven testifies to what He has seen and heard, and no one accepts His testimony." | Echoes the rejection of Christ's testimony. |
| Acts 20:30 | "and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." | Internal rise of false teachers. |
| Phil 3:18-19 | "For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ...whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." | Focus on earthly glory and desires. |
| Jude 1:4 | "For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness..." | Presence of deceptive individuals in community. |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | Warnings about false teachers who secretly introduce destructive heresies. | Extensive warning about false teachers. |
| Jn 10:25-26 | "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not My sheep." | Their rejection stems from not belonging to Christ. |
| Is 53:1 | "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" | Prophetic lament over unbelief. |
| Zech 11:8, 16 | God's rejection of three shepherds and acceptance of a worthless shepherd by the people. | Prophecy of people preferring worthless leaders. |
| Mk 13:21-22 | "And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Behold, He is there!’ do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect." | Warnings against coming false messiahs. |
| Jer 14:14 | "The prophets are prophesying lies in My name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds." | Prophets speaking from themselves. |
| Num 16:1-35 | Korah and his company rebel against Moses and Aaron's God-given authority, asserting their own. | Rejecting God-sent authority. |
John 5 verses
John 5 43 Meaning
This verse presents a profound contrast in reception: Jesus, who comes with the authentic authority and character of God the Father, is rejected by the religious leaders of His time. In stark opposition, these same leaders are prophesied to eagerly embrace individuals who arrive on their own authority, seeking their own glory or that of humans. It reveals a deep spiritual blindness and a misplacement of values, where divine truth is scorned, but human-centered deception finds an open welcome.
John 5 43 Context
John chapter 5 narrates Jesus' healing of a paralytic on the Sabbath in Jerusalem. This miracle immediately stirs controversy among the Jewish leaders, as they perceive it as a violation of Sabbath law. Jesus then defends His actions by equating His work with the Father's work, implicitly asserting His divine Sonship and equality with God (Jn 5:17-18). This claim escalates their animosity, leading them to seek to kill Him. Jesus then delivers a discourse focusing on His unique relationship with the Father, His authority as judge, the resurrection, and various forms of testimony confirming His identity – including the Father, John the Baptist, His own works, and the Scriptures (Moses). Verse 43 falls within this discourse (Jn 5:19-47), specifically within His sharp critique of the Jewish leaders' unbelief, exposing the underlying reasons for their rejection of Him, despite the abundant evidence of His divine commission. Historically, this highlights the tension between Jesus' claims and the deeply entrenched religious and political structures of Jerusalem. The "another" could refer to a succession of messianic pretenders in Judean history or even foreshadow the final "man of lawlessness."
John 5 43 Word analysis
I have come (ἐλήλυθα, elēlytha): This is a perfect active indicative verb, emphasizing the completed action of coming and its abiding state or result. It signifies Jesus' divine origin and ongoing presence/mission, rooted in an eternal past. His arrival is not a fleeting visit but a mission initiated by the Father.
in my Father's name (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί τοῦ Πατρός μου, en tō onomati tou Patros mou): The term "name" (ὄνομα, onoma) in biblical context denotes more than a mere label; it encapsulates a person's entire character, authority, essence, and reputation. To come "in the Father's name" means to come representing His very being, by His authority, fulfilling His will, and manifesting His character and glory.
and you do not receive me (οὐ λαμβάνετέ με, ou lambanetai me): "Receive" (λαμβάνω, lambanō) means to take, accept, welcome, or acknowledge. The present indicative tense emphasizes their continuous, persistent, and active rejection. Despite coming with divine authority and testimony, their hearts remain closed.
If another comes (ἐὰν ἄλλος ἔλθῃ, ean allos elthē): "Another" (ἄλλος, allos) refers to someone different, implying someone not sent by God. The "if" introduces a hypothetical yet certain condition, contrasting sharply with Christ's undeniable divine commission. The aorist subjunctive highlights a potential, future occurrence.
in his own name (ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ ὀνόματι, en tō idiō onomati): This contrasts explicitly with "in my Father's name." "Own" (ἴδιος, idios) emphasizes self-origination and self-authority. Such a person seeks his own glory, authority, and recognition, driven by personal ambition rather than divine commission.
you will receive him (ἐκεῖνον λήψεσθε, ekeinon lēpsesthe): This is a future indicative verb, predicting their eager and certain reception of such a self-proclaimed leader. It reveals their spiritual inclination towards human-centric leadership, validation, and doctrines that align with their own desires, rather than submitting to God's revealed truth and authority.
"I have come in my Father's name" vs. "If another comes in his own name": This core juxtaposition is key. Jesus comes with ultimate divine legitimacy and authority, perfectly embodying God's character and purpose. The "another" comes with self-derived legitimacy, reflecting human ambition and ultimately leading away from God. The contrast highlights the divine authority of Jesus against the self-proclaimed authority of false leaders, prophetically condemning the misplaced priorities of His accusers.
"you do not receive me" vs. "you will receive him": This antithesis underscores the tragic irony and profound spiritual paradox. The Jewish leaders reject God's true messenger and the very testimony of the Father, while at the same time exhibiting a readiness to accept someone who validates their own earthly honor system, or appeals to their carnal desires, demonstrating spiritual blindness and stubborn pride.
John 5 43 Bonus section
The fulfillment of this prophecy can be seen throughout history, from various messianic pretenders in Judea during Roman times (e.g., Theudas, an "Egyptian") to modern-day cult leaders and deceptive ideologies. The underlying spiritual pathology is humanity's innate tendency, outside of divine grace, to prefer autonomy, self-exaltation, and human-devised systems over God's absolute sovereignty and humble submission. The leaders' inability to receive Jesus was deeply connected to their misunderstanding of true "honor" or "glory," as addressed in Jn 5:44 – they sought honor from one another, not from God. This misplaced priority created a spiritual barrier, preventing them from recognizing the true glory of God in Jesus. This verse powerfully illuminates why truth is often rejected in favor of comforting lies, and why divine authority is met with scorn, while human deception can find an open door.
John 5 43 Commentary
John 5:43 uncovers a fundamental flaw in human spiritual discernment, particularly evident among those who prioritize human traditions and glory over divine revelation. Jesus states a painful truth: He, the Son, sent by the Father with full authority and in the Father's character, is rejected. This rejection is not due to a lack of evidence, but a disposition of heart unwilling to embrace humility and divine truth. In a sharp prophetic warning, Jesus predicts that these very individuals, or those with similar spiritual predispositions, would readily accept a "false messiah" or leader who speaks on their own authority, aligning with human agendas, appealing to popular sentiment, or even claiming to speak from God while pursuing selfish gain. This reveals that their resistance to Jesus was not born of zeal for God's honor, but rather from a profound misunderstanding of God's nature and a love for "human glory" over "God's glory." The verse serves as a perpetual warning against spiritual pride, the preference for flattering lies over challenging truth, and the danger of rejecting authentic divine messengers while being susceptible to deceptive charlatans.