Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:41
I receive not honor from men.
41. I receive not honour ] It is nothing to Me; I have no need of it, and refuse it: comp. Joh 5:34. Glory would perhaps be better than ‘honour’ both here and in Joh 5:44, and than ‘praise’ in Joh 9:24 and Joh 12:43; see notes there. Christ is anticipating an objection, and at the same time shewing what is the real cause of their unbelief. ‘Glory from men is not what I seek; think not the want of that is the cause of My complaint. The desire of glory from men is what blinds your eyes to the truth.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
41 44. Not that I seek glory from men; had I done so, you would have received Me. Your worldliness prevents you from receiving One whose motives are not worldly.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I receive not honour … – I do not say these things because I am desirous of human applause, but to account for the fact that you do not believe on me. The reason is, that you have not the love of God in you. In this passage we see:
- That we should not seek for human applause. It is of very little value, and it often keeps men from the approbation of God, Joh 5:44.
- They who will not believe on Jesus Christ give evidence that they have no love for God.
- The reason why they do not believe on him is because they have no regard for his character, wishes, or law.
Love of God – Love to God.
In you – In your hearts. You do not love God.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Joh 5:41
I receive not honour from men.
Lest they should think that in commending Himself and challenging them He was hunting after vainglory, as false teachers do, Christ obviates that mistake, and showeth that He was seeking no such thing, nor was capable of any addition of honour from the creature. Whence learn
1. Christ is so omniscient that He knoweth and marketh the thoughts of every one that He dealeth with; so much doth His obviating their thoughts teach.
2. It is the usual fault of men that they have but low and base thoughts of Christ, and that they measure and judge of Him and His followers by themselves, for this suspicion of Christ imported that they looked on Him as a mere man, and as they were themselves ambitious (Joh 5:44), so did they judge of Him, and so are His servants judged of.
3. Christ was no hunter after vainglory, nor is He capable of any addition of honour by mens acknowledging of Him; nor ought men to think that He seeks them because He hath any need of them, or that they add anything to Him, when He makes them somewhat; for albeit men are bound to manifest and declare His super-excellent glory; and men by sin do what they can to dishonour Him, as who would cast dirt or spit against the sun? Yet His infinite glory is neither capable of addition nor diminution from the creature; for I receive not honour from men. (G. Hutcheson.)
Vanity of worldly honours
The subjects of Charlemagne, after his death, set his corpse on a throne in a sepulchre, and put a sceptre in his stiff hand and a crown on his bloodless temples; but long ago he came down to a prostrate condition. At the Tuileries, in Paris, during the revolution of July, when the mob broke in, a boy, wounded to death, was laid on the emperors throne, and his blood gave deeper crimson to the imperial upholstery ;but, after all, he came down into the dust where we must all lie. (Dr. Talmage.)
Worldly honours delusive and dangerous
Heliogabalus, the Roman emperor, being jealous of the power of the senate, invited the senators to a great feast. When they were overcome with wine, Heliogabalus left the hall. The doors were fastened without; yet the carousal continued. The emperor shouted to them from a glass door in the ceiling, that, as they were ever aspiring after fresh laurels, they should now be satisfied. Wreaths and flowers began to rain upon them. The senators cried, Enough, enough! but the rain continued. Terror seized them. They flew to the doors; but they were immovable. Escape was impossible. The relentless storm continued till all were buried and suffocated beneath the murderous sea of flowers. (E. Foster.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 41. I receive not honour from men.] I do not stand in need of you or your testimony. I act neither through self-interest nor vanity. Your salvation can add nothing to me, nor can your destruction injure me: I speak only through my love for your souls, that ye may be saved.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I depend not upon the single testimony of men; or, I seek not, nor hunt after, the honour of men, nor regard what they think or say of me.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
41. I receive not honour frommencontrasting His own end with theirs, which was to obtainhuman applause.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I receive not honour from men. Not but that honour from men was due to Christ; and it becomes all men to honour him, as they do the Father; and he does receive honour and glory, and blessing from his saints, by their praying to him, praising him, believing in him, and serving him; but his sense is, that in asserting his equality with the Father, and in producing the testimonies he did, in proof of it, his view was not to obtain honour and applause among men, but to vindicate himself, and glorify his Father: nor did he say what he had just now said, about men’s coming to him, with any such intention, to gather a party to him, to set up himself as a temporal king, in great pomp and splendour, and receive worldly homage and honour from men, as his subjects; for his kingdom was not of this world, and coming and subjection to him were things of a spiritual nature.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Glory from men ( ). Mere honour and praise Jesus does not expect from men (verse 34). This is not wounded pride, for ambition is not Christ’s motive. He is unlike the Jews (John 5:44; John 12:43; Matt 6:1) and seeks not his own glory, but the glory and fellowship of the Father (John 1:14; John 2:11; John 7:18). Paul did not seek glory from men (1Th 2:6).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
I receive not honor from men. The Greek order is : glory from men I receive not. Compare ver. 34. His glory consists in his loving fellowship with God. Men who do not love God are not in sympathy with Him.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “I receive not,” (ou lambano) “I do not receive,” to myself, no homage or seek no homage or honor. Ambition did not drive Him to make claim that He was the Son of God, or that God was His Father.
2) “Honor from men.” (doksan para anthropon) “Glory from, alongside men,” or glory of the kind men parcel out, of a temporary flattering nature, Joh 5:34; Such the antichrist clamors to receive, demands, 1Th 2:3-4; and such as the Jews then sought, Joh 5:44.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
41. I receive not glory from men. He proceeds in his reproof; but that he may not be suspected of pleading his own cause, he begins by saying that he does not care for the glory of men, and that it gives him no concern or uneasiness to see himself despised; and, indeed, he is too great to depend on the opinions of men, for the malignity of the whole world can take nothing from him, or make the slightest infringement on his high rank. He is so eager to refute their calumny that he exalts himself above men. Afterwards, he enters freely into invectives against them, and charges them with contempt and hatred of God. And though, in regard to honorable rank, there is an immense distance between Christ and us, still we ought boldly to despise the opinions of men. We ought, at least, to guard most zealously against being excited to anger, when we are, despised; but, on the contrary, let us learn never to kindle into indignation, except when men do not render to God the honor due to Him. Let our souls be burned and tortured by this holy jealousy, whenever we see that the world is so ungrateful as to reject God.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(41) I receive not honour.The word is better rendered glory here, and in Joh. 5:44. Jesus continues to dwell, in the remainder of the discourse (Joh. 5:41-47), on the true cause of their incredulity. Ye will not come to Me, is the central thought. But were they, then, to follow this young Teacher, while they themselves had schools and disciples who held their teaching sacred, and their persons in honour, and addressed them as Rabbi? No! this is not the true coming to Him. They seek glory from men. He does not receive it (Joh. 5:34).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
The cause of all this unbelief their desire for human honour, Joh 5:41-44.
The true Messiah seeks the divine glory, and honour from God alone. The Jews seek human power and honour, and desire Messiahs after their own heart. The true Messiah is spiritual, holy, and divine; their false Messiah, like themselves, is political, self-seeking, and ready for the mutual exchange of honours.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
41. I receive not He rejects the crown of secular Messiahship; he receives not the testimony of even John and the prophets as the endorsement of even those great MEN. His commissioner and endorser is God alone.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“I do not receive praise (doxan – ‘praise, glory’) from men.”
Jesus now contrasts Himself with the Judaisers. They constantly look for the praise of men (Joh 5:44). In contrast He does not seek such praise. Unlike these leaders of the Jews who seek praise from one another He does not seek praise as a man, or from men. He wants men’s eyes to be turned on God so that they praise only God. For that is central to His purpose in coming, to turn men’s eyes on God so that they might praise Him. Furthermore He Himself wants only praise from God. From His own point of view that is His only concern. Praise from men is unimportant to Him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 5:41-42. I receive not honour from men, &c. “Though I speak of your coming to me, let me remind you that it is not out of an ambition of drawing multitudes about me, to follow and applaud my teaching; for the whole of my conduct proves, that I receive not glory from men.” Our Lord insinuated, that the proofs of his divine mission were as full and clear as possible, being supported not only by miracles, but by the actions of his life, which, in all points, agreed with his doctrine; for in no one instance whatever did he seek the applause of men, or affect secular power; but was always innocent and humble, though he knew that these qualities rendered him little in the eyes of persons void of the love of God, who expected to see their Messiah adorned with great secular glory; and therefore addressing himself to men of this character, our Lord says very emphatically, I know you. The whole series of his discourse excellently shews how far our Lord was from soothing the vanity of men in place and power, to obtain their favour.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
41 I receive not honour from men.
Ver. 41. I receive not honour from men ] q.d. I need you not, though I complain you come not to me. It is for your sakes that I seek to you. Christ could be happy, though all men should miscarry: as the sun would shine, though all the world were blind. He seeks not ours, but us.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
41 44. ] The connexion seems to be; the standing-points of our Lord and of the Jews were not only different , but were inconsistent with and exclusive of one another. He sought not glory from below, from man’s praise or report: the Father testified to Him , in all the ways which have been specified; but this testimony they could not receive, nor discover Him in their Scriptures, because human regards and ambition and intrigue had blinded their eyes, and they had not the love of God (the very first command in their law, Deu 6:4-5 ) in their hearts.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
41. ] ., not merely, ‘ I do not desire,’ ‘non capto; ’ but, ‘ I do not receive; ’ ‘no such praise nor testimony accrues to Me, nor has in Me that on which it can lay hold.’ ‘My glory is altogether from another source.’
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 5:41 . , not “glory from men I am not receiving,” not quite “glory from men I do not seek,” but rather, that which is in my judgment glory, I do not receive from men: not what men yield me is my glory. Ambition is not my motive in making these claims.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
honour. Greek. doxa = approval, here, as in Joh 5:44; or “praise”, as in Joh 9:21; Joh 12:43. 1Pe 4:11. See p. 1511.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
41-44.] The connexion seems to be;-the standing-points of our Lord and of the Jews were not only different, but were inconsistent with and exclusive of one another. He sought not glory from below, from mans praise or report: the Father testified to Him, in all the ways which have been specified; but this testimony they could not receive, nor discover Him in their Scriptures, because human regards and ambition and intrigue had blinded their eyes, and they had not the love of God (the very first command in their law, Deu 6:4-5) in their hearts.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 5:41.[110] , from men) even from those by whom the Scripture was written: comp. Joh 5:34, Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth, but I receive not testimony from man, concerning John, who was greater than the prophets; and yet Jesus did not receive testimony even from him.
[110] , glory [honour]) Jesus in this passage had spoken great things concerning Himself. Now he states why He does so; namely, that He might bring poor souls to the blessed knowledge and love of GOD.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 5:41
Joh 5:41
I receive not glory from men.-Jesus did not rest his claims to glory on the testimony or witness of men.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Joh 5:34, Joh 6:15, Joh 7:18, Joh 8:50, Joh 8:54, 1Th 2:6, 1Pe 2:21, 2Pe 1:17
Reciprocal: Mat 6:2 – glory Mat 8:4 – See Mar 5:43 – he charged Mar 10:18 – Why Joh 12:43 – they
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1
This could not mean that no man honored Jesus, for even the “common people (the crowds) heard him gladly” (Mar 12:37). It denotes that Jesus was not depending on human support for his standing.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 5:41. Glory from men I receive not. The last nine verses have been an expansion of Joh 5:31; this verse goes back to the 30th, in which Jesus first contrasts His spirit with theirs, His devotion to the Fathers will with their self-seeking. The rest of the chapter is a development of this thought. Yet there is no abrupt break at Joh 5:40. Jesus has been speaking of the refusal of the Jews to believe Him and come to Him as the sufficient and certain evidence of the evil of their hearts. But in so speaking He is not aiming at His own honour, or seeking fame from men. In every claim for Himself He seeks His Fathers glory; and the possession of that spirit is the test of the truth and righteousness which are well-pleasing to the Father: see chap. Joh 7:18, Joh 12:43.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Here observe, 1. How little our Saviour sought the approbation and vain-glorious estimation of men, I receive not honour from men. The same should all his disciples and followers do; rest satisfied in the secret testimony and silent applause of their own consciences, without pumping for popular applause.
Observe, 2. The dreadful sin which Christ charges upon the Jews, as the cause why they rejected him, I know that ye have not the love of God in you. Oh! deplorable state and case, to be void of all true love to God! Love being the spring of all action, and the root of all true obedience, he that loves God, will not only sweat at his work, but bleed at his work too, if his work cannot be carried on without bleeding. But where love of God is wanting, and no care to please God is found, his authority is despised, his Son rejected: as the Jews here would not come to Christ, that they might have life, because they had not the love of God in them.
Observe, 3. The high affront which the Jews offered to the Son of God in preferring any seducers or impostors before him, who came in their own names; whilst he was rejected, who came in the name of his Father.
Learn hence, That though Christ was the great Ambassador of his Father, not a servant, but a son, and had his mission, his approbation, and his testimony from heaven, yet so far did the perverseness and prejudices of the Jews prevail, that he was rejected, whilst impostors and deceivers, false Christs and anti-christs, without any evidence and authority from God (because promising them a temporal kingdom) were embraced and entertained; I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not; but if another (a seducer) should come in his own name, him ye will receive.
As if Christ had said, You are incredulous to none but me: every cheat, that has but wit or wickedness to tell you, “The Lord hath sent him,” is believed by you; but though I come in my Father’s name, shewing a commission signed and sealed by him, and doing those works that none but a God can do, yet you receive me not. O unreasonable infidelity!
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Joh 5:41-43. I receive not honour from men I need it not; I seek it not from you for my own sake. As if he had said, Though I speak of your coming to me as necessary in order to your salvation, it is not out of an ambition of drawing multitudes after me, who may approve and applaud my teaching; for the whole of my conduct proves that I seek not the praise of men. But I say it out of a tender regard for your salvation and reformation; for I know you I am fully acquainted with the state of your minds, and the conduct of your lives; that ye have not the love of God in you That, notwithstanding the distinguished profession of piety which you make, you are destitute of that great and only principle of true religion, the love of God: For I am come in my Fathers name With evident credentials from him; and yet ye receive me not Which, if you had really loved him, you would undoubtedly have done: if another shall come in his own name Without such credentials, and without any commission from God; him ye will receive Provided he assume the majesty of a king, and promise you temporal wealth, power, and glory. Of this infatuation the Jews gave many proofs during their wars with the Romans, and a little before the destruction of Jerusalem. For then many impostors arose, pretending to be the Messiah, and promising them deliverance, by which, although they wrought no miracles, yet they drew great multitudes after them, as their own historian, Josephus, informs us; and met with a much better reception, even from the Pharisees and rulers, than Christ did, notwithstanding all his miracles. And no doubt Christ meant to include these, and all who appeared while the sanhedrim existed.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
III. The condemnation of Jewish Unbelief: Joh 5:41-47.
In Joh 5:41-44, Jesus unfolds the cause of the moral antipathy which keeps them away from Him; in Joh 5:45-47, the terrible consequences of this refusal to believe.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
Joh 5:41-47. This summary suggests that Jesus opponents had accused Him of self-glorification. In answer He traces back their failure to accept His message to want of that love of God which their study of Scripture should have taught them (Deu 6:5). If a false prophet were to come on his own authority (cf. Deu 18:20), and speak presumptuously in Gods name, flattering their pride and self-seeking, such an one they would welcome. There is no reference in Joh 5:43 b to the pseudo-Messiah, Bar-Kochba (A.D. 135). Deu 18:20 and the character of popular Messianism in the last century B.C. are adequate explanations. Belief was impossible so long as they looked for the praise of men and not of God. As with judgment so with accusation. It is not His primary object. Their real accuser is Moses, whose Law they believe themselves to obey so well. They failed to recognise the Prophet whom he foretold, and so they fail to see the truth of Jesus words. [Possibly Joh 7:15-24 should be inserted at this point.A. J. G.]
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
Jesus did not appeal to the testimony of humans to determine His own identity (Joh 5:35) nor did he receive the praise (Gr. doxa) of people for this purpose. Jesus’ criticisms of His hearers did not arise from wounded pride. He said what He did to win the Father’s praise, not man’s. Jesus’ critics, in contrast, behaved to receive praise from one another (cf. Joh 5:44). Jesus knew them well, but they did not know Him. Love for God did not motivate them as it did Him.
"The Jews worked out their pattern of religion and tried to fit God into it. They did not seek first the way of God and then try to model their religious practices on it. They succumbed to the perennial temptation of religious people." [Note: Morris, p. 294.]