John Calvin Commentary John 5:38

"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not." — John 5:38 (ASV)

And you have not his word abiding in you. This is the true way of profiting, when the word of God takes root in us, so that, being impressed on our hearts, it has its permanent dwelling there. Christ affirms that the heavenly doctrine has no place among the Jews, because they do not receive the Son of God, whom it everywhere commends.

And he justly brings this reproach against them, for it was not in vain that God spoke by Moses and the Prophets. Moses had no other intention than to invite all people to go straight to Christ; and therefore it is evident that those who reject Christ are not the disciples of Moses. Besides, how can anyone have the word of life abiding in them who drives life itself away? How can anyone keep the doctrine of the Law who destroys the soul of the Law, as much as they can? For the Law without Christ is empty and has no solidity. Therefore, just in proportion as anyone knows Christ, so is the proficiency they have gained in the word of God.