John 5:39 (WEB)
“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
Catechism · 1
“So, for this reason, when the Church reads the Old Testament, she searches there for what the Spirit, "who has spoken through the prophets," wants to tell us about Christ.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. 2 Cor 3:14; Jn 5:39, 46.
Fathers and councils · 38
Origen
- Origen, Against Celsus III.33Book III
“…a simple faith, and to investigate the meaning which lies in the divine Scriptures, agreeably to the injunctions of Jesus, who said, “Search the Scriptures,” and to the wish of Paul, who taught that “we ought to know how to answer every man;” nay, also of him who said, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man…” — editor's note: John v. 39.
Read the whole comment “…passage, or unwilling to devote the necessary leisure to the investigation of Scripture, notwithstanding the injunction of Jesus, “Search the Scriptures.”” — editor's note: Cf. John v. 39.
Read the whole comment- Origen, De Principiis IV.2Book IV
“And therefore the exact reader must, in obedience to the Saviour’s injunction to “search the Scriptures,” carefully ascertain in how far the literal meaning is true, and in how far impossible; and so far as he can, trace out, by means of similar statements, the…” — editor's note: John v. 39.
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Irenaeus of Lyons
“In his book against Marcion, Justin does well say: “I would not have believed the Lord Himself, if He had announced any other than He who is our framer, maker, and nourisher.” — editor's note: Photius, 125, makes mention of Justin Martyr’s work, λόγοι κατὰ Μαρκίωνος. See also Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History, book iv. c. 18, where this passage of…
Read the whole comment“And ye are not willing to come unto Me, that ye may have life.”” — editor's note: John v. 39, 40.
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John Damascene
“And again, Search the Scriptures for they are they that testify of Me.” — editor's note: St. John v. 39.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…themselves to have been written in the book of God, they to whom is said, “Search the Scriptures, wherein ye think yourselves to have life eternal:” when their condemnation shall have been brought even to their own knowledge, shall be effaced from the book of the living, they shall know themselves not to be…” — editor's note: John v. 39.
Read the whole comment“On the words of the Gospel, John v. 39, “Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life,” etc. Against the Donatists.” — the author cites it
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Athanasius of Alexandria
“And He reproved the Jews, saying, ‘Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.’” — editor's note: Matt. xxii. 29; John v. 39.
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John Chrysostom
“And after him his son again shows that we ought to “seek out wisdom as silver, and to make merchandise of her rather than of gold.” ( Prov. ii. 4 and iii. 14 [partially quoted]; John v. 39.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And why wonderest thou if He betake Himself to the Father, when He often resorts to the Prophets and the Scriptures? as when He saith, “They are they that testify of Me.” ( c. v. 39.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Ver.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“John v. 39, 40” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Wherefore He saith, “Ye have seen Me, and believe not” ( c. v. 39 ); alluding partly to His miracles, partly to the testimony from the Scriptures; “For they,” He saith, “are they which testify of Me” ( c. v. 43, 44…” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“He had said before, “Search the Scriptures” ( c. v. 39 ); and again, “It is written in the Prophets, And they shall be taught of God” ( c. vi. 45 ); and, “Moses accuseth you” ( c. v. 45 ); and here,“As the Scripture hath said, rivers shall flow from his belly,” alluding to the largeness and abundance of grace.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“On which account also He said to the Jews, “Search the Scriptures” ( c. v. 39 ); and brought forward Moses, and called him and all the Prophets witnesses, for “all,” saith He, “who hear the Prophets shall come to Me”; and, “Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me.”” — the author cites it
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Catena Aurea on John
- OrigenCatena Aurea on John
“(John 5:39) But John calls himself the voice, not that crieth, but of one that crieth in the wilderness; viz. of Him Who stood and cried, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
He now brings proof of those high declarations respecting Himself. He answers an objection: If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. These are Christ’s own words. But does not Christ in many places bear…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
He knew Himself that His witness of Himself was true, but in compassion to the weak and unbelieving, the Sun sought for candles, that their weak sight might not be dazzled by His full blaze. And therefore John was…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
Or thus; Christ, being both God and man, He shews the proper existence of both, by sometimes speaking according to the nature he took from man, sometimes according to the majesty of the Godhead. If I bear witness of…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
But according to the former interpretation, they might say to Him, If Thy witness is not true, how sayest Thou, I know that the witness of John is true? But His answer meets the objection: Ye sent unto John, and he…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
But he bore witness not to himself, but to the truth: as the friend of the truth, he bore witness to the truth, i. e. Christ. Our Lord, on His part, does not reject the witness of John, as not being necessary, but…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
Because I do not want it. John, though he bore witness, did it not that Christ might increase, but that men might be brought to the knowledge of Him.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Even the witness of John was the witness of God: for what he said, God taught him. But to anticipate their asking how it appeared that God taught John, as if the Jews had objected that John’s witness might not be…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
John was a candle lighted by Christ, the Light, burning with faith and love, shining in word and deed. He was sent before, to confound the enemies of Christ, according to the Psalm, I have ordained a lantern for Mine…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
I therefore direct you to John, not because I want his testimony, but that ye may be saved: for I have greater witness than that of John, i. e. that of my works; The works which the Father hath given Me to finish,…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
That He enlightens the blind, that He opens the deaf ear, looses the mouth of the dumb, casts out devils, raises the dead; these works bear witness of Christ.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on John
The Only-begotten God shews Himself to be the Son, on the testimony not of man only, but of His own power. The works which He does, bear witness to His being sent from the Father. Therefore the obedience of the Son…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
By His mission we must understand His incarnation. Lastly, He shews that God is incorporeal, and cannot be seen by the bodily eye: Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
The Jews might say, We heard the voice of the Lord at Sinai, and saw Him under the appearance of fire. If God then bears witness of Thee, we should know His voice. To which He replies, I have the witness of the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
How then says Moses, Ask—whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is: did ever people hear the voice of God, speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard and seen? (Deut. 4:32, 33)…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
For it is not by the carnal ear, but by the spiritual understanding, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, that God is heard. And they did not hear the spiritual voice, because they did not love or obey Him, nor saw…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
But it was impossible for them to declare that they had received, and obeyed God’s commands: and therefore He adds, Ye have not His word abiding in you; i. e. the commandments, the law, and the prophets; though God…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
Or thus; they cannot have abiding in them the Word which was in the beginning, who came not to keep in mind, or fulfil in practice, that word of God which they hear. Having mentioned the testimonies of John, and the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Or the connection may be given thus. They might say to Him, How, if we have never heard God’s voice, has God borne witness to you? So He says, Search the Scriptures; meaning that God had borne witness of Him by the…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
That coming is put for believing we know, Come unto Him, and be lightened. He adds, That ye might have life; (Ps. 33) For, if the soul which sinneth dies, they were dead in soul and mind. And therefore He promises…
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Tertullian
““They have,” says He, “Moses and Elias,”—in other words, the law and the prophets, which preach Christ; as also in another place He says plainly, “Search the Scriptures, in which ye expect (to find) salvation; for they testify of me;” which will be the meaning of “Seek, and ye shall find.”” — editor's note: John v. 39.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”” — editor's note: John v. 39, 40, 45–47.
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Cross-references · 41
Cited together in Origen on John 1:19–23 (6) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Celsus V.16.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in Catechism §702.
Cited together in Festal and Personal Letters Festal Letters.25.
Cited together in Catechism §702.
Cited together in Against Celsus III.33.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in Against Celsus III.33.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in John Chrysostom on John 5:31–40 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews I.19.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews I.19.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.10.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 7.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 7.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith IV.17.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 7.
Cited together in Catechism §702.
Cited together in Origen on John 1:19–23 (6) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Origen on John 1:19–23 (6) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Origen on John 1:19–23 (6) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Origen on John 1:19–23 (6) (Catena Aurea).