Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
And ye will not come ... - Though the Old Testament bears evidence that I am the Messiah; though you professedly search it to learn the way to life, and though my works Proverbs it, yet you will not come to me to obtain life. From this we may learn:
1.That life is to be obtained in Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and he only can save us.
2.That, in order to do that, we must "come to him" - that is, must come in the way appointed, as lost sinners, and be willing to be saved by him alone.
3.That the reason why sinners are not saved lies in the will. "The only reason why sinners die is because ' they will not come' to Christ for life and happiness: it is not because they ' cannot,' but because they ' will not' " (Henry).
4.Sinners have a particular opposition to going to "Jesus Christ" for eternal life. They would prefer any other way, and it is commonly not until all other means are tried that they are willing to submit to him.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing John 5:40:
Isaiah 55:3
Matthew 25:34
John 6:37
John 6:44
John 8:44
Romans 1:17
1 John 5:20
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
Start Your Day with Scripture
Begin your day with God's Word — the Berean brings Scripture and commentary every morning.
Join 150,000+ subscribers growing daily in God's Word.
