John 5:31-47 – Had Ye Believed Moses, Ye Would Have Believed Me
Read John 5:31-47
1) What witnesses to his identity does Jesus point to in this passage of Scripture?
2) What Old Testament principle is Jesus acknowledging by listing all of these witnesses? (Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15).
3) This principle restated in the New Testament in the following contexts. Give a brief summary of each:
a) Matthew 18:15-17:
b) Matthew 26:59-65:
c) 1 Timothy 5:19:
d) Revelation 11:3-12:
4) What additional insight does Jesus’ statement in verse 30 give to our understanding of verses 31-32?
5) Compare verses 31 and 32 with John 8:13-18. Is there a contradiction between 5:31 and 8:14? Explain.
6) Review John 1:6-8, 19-34 and 3:22-36. What witness had John the Baptist given regarding Jesus?
7) What is Jesus’ purpose in reminding the Jews of their initial respect for John the Baptist?
8 ) How did they so quickly change their minds about him?
9) Describe how the works of Jesus bear witness of him (John 2:11, 2:23, John 3:1-2, John 9:30-33, Luke 7:18-23).
10) When did the Father bear witness of Jesus? (Matthew 3:16-17)
11) Jesus says that the scriptures also testify of him. Choose one or two Old Testament references and discuss how they testify of Jesus.
12) We have already looked at Moses’ reference to a coming Prophet in the context of the Jews’ questioning of John the Baptist in chapter 1. Reexamine Deuteronomy 18:15-19 in light of Jesus’ words here. What strikes you as significant?
13) Jesus identifies several things in this passage of scripture that stand in the way of these Jews believing on him. What are they? Explain the relationship of each to belief versus unbelief.
14) In verse 45 Jesus makes a connection between their state of unbelief and who they are seeking to please. Look up Romans 2:17-29. What does who we seek praise from have to do with whether or not we believe?
15) Compare verses 45-47 with Luke 16:19-31 and John 12:44-50. What do these things reveal about God? About the hearts of us humans? (see John 3:16-21)
16) What is the relationship between what we do and what we believe?
