Albert Barnes Commentary John 5:47

"But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" — John 5:47 (ASV)

If you do not believe his writings. If you do not believe what he has written, which you profess to believe, it is not to be expected that you will believe my declarations. And from this we may learn:

1. That many people who profess to believe the Bible actually have no regard for it when it conflicts with their own views and inclinations.
2. It is our duty to study the Bible, so that we may be established in the belief that Jesus is the Messiah.
3. The prophecies of the Old Testament are conclusive proofs of the truth of the Christian religion.
4. Whoever rejects one part of the Bible will, for the same reason, reject all.
5. The Saviour acknowledged the truth of the writings of Moses, built his religion upon them, appealed to them to prove that he was the Messiah, and commanded people to search them. We have the testimony of Jesus, therefore, that the Old Testament is a revelation from God. Whoever rejects his testimony on this subject must reject his authority altogether; and it is futile for anyone to profess to believe in the New Testament, or in the Lord Jesus, without also acknowledging the authority of the Old Testament and of Moses.

We have in this chapter an instance of the profound and masterly manner in which Jesus could meet and silence his enemies. There is not anywhere a more conclusive argument, or a more triumphant meeting of the charges which they had brought against him. No one can read this without being struck with his profound wisdom; and it is scarcely possible to conceive that there could be a more distinct declaration and proof that he was equal with God.