How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Here's the insight from John 5:44: The verse highlights that seeking praise from others creates a blind spot for divine truth; you can't truly believe in God if your deepest desire is to be honored by people, effectively making them your gods. This verse suggests that true belief is impossible when our validation comes from each other instead of from the one true God.
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is confronting the religious leaders who refuse to believe in Him, even after witnessing His miracles and hearing His words. He’s just explained that He honors God and that true life comes from Him, but they’ve rejected Him. Now, He points out the deep-seated reason for their unbelief: their addiction to human approval and their lack of genuine devotion to God.
Why is it so hard to believe in Jesus? Christ points to a surprising reason: where you look for approval.
Jesus confronts the religious leaders directly in John 5:44, asking how they can believe when their focus is on receiving glory from one another.
Why This Matters:
If seeking glory from people is a barrier, what's the alternative? Jesus points us to the 'glory that comes from the only God.'
Jesus contrasts the leaders' focus on human praise with the singular importance of seeking glory from the 'only God.' This isn't just about avoiding sin; it's about actively pursuing the right kind of honor.
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Understanding God's Glory:
Understand the original words
doxa · Greek Noun
In this context, refers to human praise, reputation, or honor sought from others rather than the honor that comes from God. It is often contrasted with the humility required for true faith.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
Trust, reliance, or confident assurance in God and His revelation. In the Johannine context, it is a relational and active commitment to Jesus as the Son of God.
This question from Jesus isn't just theological; it's a direct challenge to the religious elite of His day. Their obsession with human approval and position blinded them to the divine authority right in front of them, a struggle many still face today.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Judea
Jesus is actively teaching, healing, and performing miracles in Judea, drawing crowds and attracting the attention of religious leaders.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
Jesus heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, leading to a confrontation with Jewish authorities who question His authority and His claims.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Discourse in the Temple
In response to the confrontation, Jesus delivers a lengthy discourse explaining His authority, His relationship with the Father, and the significance of His works, culminating in this challenging question to His accusers.
c. 30 AD
Jewish Leaders Seek to Kill Jesus
The religious leaders, deeply threatened by Jesus' teachings and growing popularity, escalate their opposition and begin plotting to have Him killed.
This passage directly parallels John 5:44 by explaining that the reason some leaders didn't confess Jesus, even after believing in Him, was because 'they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.'
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching here about not being able to serve both God and money also speaks to the divided loyalties that arise when seeking human approval over divine approval.
1 Thessalonians 2:4Paul contrasts his own ministry with that of those seeking human glory, stating that he and his companions were entrusted with the gospel 'not to please people but God, who tests our hearts.'
Romans 2:29This verse highlights true circumcision of the heart being 'in the Spirit, whose praise is not from men, but from God,' directly contrasting the outward seeking of human honor mentioned in John 5:44.
Galatians 1:10Paul asks a rhetorical question about seeking to please people, asserting that if he were still trying to please humans, he would not be a servant of Christ, underscoring the incompatibility of seeking human glory with true discipleship.
vincentJohn 5:44: "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"
Ye believeAgain the emphatic ye, the reason for the emphasis being given in the succeeding clause.Which receive (λαμβάνοντες)Literally, receiving (as ye do): seeing that ye receive.Seek not the honor that cometh from God only (καὶ τὴν δόξαν τὴν μόνου Θεοῦ οὐ ζητεῖτε)The Rev. gives it capitally, following the Greek order: and the glory that cometh from the only God ye…
bensonJohn 5:44: "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"
John 5:44 . How can ye believe which receive honour one of another — That is, while ye seek the praise of men, rather than the praise of God? In other words, “How can such persons as you believe in me, whose character and station are entirely different from what you have all along told the people the Scriptures teach concerning the Messiah? This confession of your own ignoran…
Here's the insight from John 5:44:
The verse highlights that seeking praise from others creates a blind spot for divine truth; you can't truly believe in God if your deepest desire is to be honored by people, effectively making them your gods. This verse suggests that true belief is impossible when our validation comes from each other instead of from the one true God.
Jesus is confronting the religious leaders who refuse to believe in Him, even after witnessing His miracles and hearing His words. He’s just explained that He honors God and that true life comes from Him, but they’ve rejected Him. Now, He points out the deep-seated reason for their unbelief: their addiction to human approval and their lack of genuine devotion to God.
Jesus is confronting the religious leaders who refuse to believe in Him, even after witnessing His miracles and hearing His words. He’s just explained that He honors God and that true life comes from Him, but they’ve rejected Him. Now, He points out the deep-seated reason for their unbelief: their addiction to human approval and their lack of genuine devotion to God.
"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" — Here's the insight from John 5:44:
The verse highlights that seeking praise from others creates a blind spot for divine truth; you can't truly believe in God if your deepest desire is to be honored…
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Last reviewed October 2026