John Calvin Commentary John 5:39

"Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;" — John 5:39 (ASV)

Search the Scriptures. We have said that the statement which Christ previously made — that He has the Father as a witness in heaven — refers to Moses and the Prophets. Now follows a clearer explanation, for He says that this testimony is to be found in the Scriptures. He again reproves them for their foolish boasting because while they acknowledged that they had life in the Scriptures, they perceived nothing in them but the dead letter. For He does not absolutely blame them for seeking life in the Scriptures, since they were given to us for that end and use, but because the Jews thought that the Scriptures gave them life, while they were widely opposed to their natural meaning and — what is worse — while they quenched the light of life which was contained in them. For how can the Law bestow life without Christ, who alone gives life to it?

Again, we are taught by this passage that if we wish to obtain the knowledge of Christ, we must seek it from the Scriptures; for those who imagine whatever they choose concerning Christ will ultimately have nothing instead of Him but a shadowy phantom. First, then, we ought to believe that Christ cannot be properly known in any other way than from the Scriptures; and if it is so, it follows that we ought to read the Scriptures with the express design of finding Christ in them.

Whoever turns aside from this object, even if he wearies himself throughout his whole life in learning, will never attain the knowledge of the truth; for what wisdom can we have without the wisdom of God? Next, as we are commanded to seek Christ in the Scriptures, so He declares in this passage that our labors will not be fruitless, for the Father testifies in them concerning His Son in such a manner that He will manifest Him to us beyond all doubt.

But what hinders most people from profiting is that they give the subject nothing more than a superficial and cursory glance. Yet it requires the utmost attention, and therefore, Christ enjoins us to search diligently for this hidden treasure. Consequently, the deep abhorrence of Christ entertained by the Jews, who have the Law constantly in their hands, must be imputed to their indolence.

For the luster of the glory of God shines brightly in Moses, but they choose to have a veil to obscure that luster. By the Scriptures, it is well known, is meant here the Old Testament; for it was not in the Gospel that Christ was first manifested, but, having received testimony from the Law and the Prophets, He was openly exhibited in the Gospel.