Menu

John 5:41

John 5:41 in Multiple Translations

I do not accept glory from men,

I receive not honour from men.

I receive not glory from men.

I do not take honour from men;

I'm not looking for human approval

I receiue not the prayse of men.

glory from man I do not receive,

I don’t receive glory from men.

I receive not honor from men.

I receive glory not from men.

It does not matter to me whether people praise me.

I don’t need people to say good things about me.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — John 5:41

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

John 5:41 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK δοξαν παρα ανθρωπων ου λαμβανω
δοξαν doxa G1391 glory Noun-ASF
παρα para G3844 from/with/beside Prep
ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-GPM
ου ou G3756 no Particle-N
λαμβανω lambanō G2983 to take Verb-PAI-1S
Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — John 5:41

δοξαν doxa G1391 "glory" Noun-ASF
This word means glory, honor, or praise, referring to the admiration and respect given to someone or something, like God's glory in Luke 14:10 and John 12:43. It's the opposite of shame or dishonor, as seen in Philippians 3:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:8. Glory is also associated with dignity and worship in Romans 2:7 and 1 Peter.
Definition: δόξα, -ης, ἡ (δοκέω), [in LXX very frequently for כָּבוֹד, also for הוֹד ,פִּפְאֶרֶת, etc., 25 words in all ;] in cl., __1. expectation, judgment, opinion (4Ma.5:18). __2. opinion, estimation in which one is held, repute; in NT, always good opinion, hence reputation, praise, honour, glory: Luk.14:10, Jhn.12:43, Heb.3:3; opposite to αἰσχύνη, Php.3:19; to ἀτιμία, 2Co.6:8; δ. κ. τιμή, Rom.2:7, 10 1Pe.1:7, 2Pe.1:17; ζητεῖν, Jhn.5:44 7:18 8:50, 1Th.2:6; λαμβάνειν, Jhn.5:41, 2Pe.1:17, Rev.5:12; διδόναι δ. τ. θεῷ (cf. נָתַן כָּבוֹד לַיהוָֹה, Jer.13:16, al.), Luk.17:18, Jhn.9:24, Act.12:23, Rom.4:20, Rev.4:9; εἰς (τ.) δ. θεοῦ, Rom.3:7 15:7, Php.1:11, al.; in doxologies, τ. θεῷ (ᾧ) ἡ δ., Luk.2:14, Rom.11:36 16:27, Gal.1:5, Eph.3:21, al. __3. Later also (not cl.) as in LXX (= הוֹד, Job.39:20, 1Ch.29:25; כָּבוֹד, Job.19:9, Est.5:11, al.), visible brightness, splendour, glory: of light, Act.22:11; of heavenly bodies, 1Co.15:40ff.; esp. that wh. radiates from God's presence, as manifested in the pillar of cloud and in the Holy of Holies (= כָּבוֹד, Exo.16:10 25:22 40:34, al.; and new Heb. שְׁכִינָה, 2Ma.2:8; see DB, iv, 489b), Rom.9:4, Jas.2:1 (see Hort, Mayor, in l.); hence of the manifested glory of God, Rom.1:23, Col.1:11 Eph.1:6, 12 17 3:16; of the same as communicated to man through Christ, 2Co.3:18 4:6; and of the glorious condition into which Christians shall enter hereafter, Rom.8:18, 21 9:23, 2Ti.2:10, al. SYN.: ἔπαινος τιμή (see Hort on 1Pe.1:7). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 151 NT verses. KJV: dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship See also: 1 Corinthians 2:7; John 7:18; 1 Peter 1:7.
παρα para G3844 "from/with/beside" Prep
Means 'from' or 'beside', indicating the source or origin of something, as seen in Mark 14:43 and John 15:26. It can also mean 'at' or 'in the vicinity of' something. Used to show the relationship between people or things.
Definition: παρά, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative, with radical sense, beside. __I. C. genitive of person(s), from the side of, from beside, from, indicating source or origin, [in LXX for מֵאֵצֶל ,מִיַד ,מִלִּפְנֵי ;] after verbs of motion, Mrk.14:43, Luk.8:49, Jhn.15:26, al.; after verbs of seeking, receiving, hearing, etc., Mrk.8:11 12:2, Jhn.4:9, 52 10:18, Php.4:18, 2Ti.1:18, Jas.1:7, al.; after passive verbs, of the agent (like ὑπό), Mat.21:42, Mrk.12:11, Luk.1:37; absol., οἱ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ, his family, his kinsfolk, Mrk.3:21 (cf. M, Pr., 106f.; Field, Notes, 25f.; Swete, in l.); τὰ παρ᾽ αὐτῆς (αὐτῶν, ὑμῶν, one's means, wealth, Mrk.5:26, Luk.10:7, Php.4:18. __II. C. dative of person(s) (exc. Jhn.19:25, π. τ. σταυρῷ), by the side of, beside, by, with, [in LXX for בְּעֵינֵי ,בְּיַד ,אֵצֶל ;] Luk.11:37 19:7, Jhn.1:40 4:40, Act.28:14, al.; παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ, at home, 1Co.16:2; with dative pl., among, Mat.22:25, Col.4:16, al.; metaphorically, Mat.19:26, Mrk.10:27, Luk.1:30, Rom.2:13, Jas.1:27, al. __III. C. accusative, of motion by or towards, [in LXX for בְּעֵבֶר ,עַל יַד ,אֵצֶל ;] __1. of place, by the side of, beside, by, along: Act.10:32, Heb.11:12; after verbs of motion, Mat.4:18, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, Act.4:35, al.; after verbs of rest, Mat.13:1, Mrk.5:21, Luk.8:35, al. __2. beside, beyond, metaphorically; __(a) beyond, against, contrary to: Act.18:13, Rom.1:26 4:18 11:24, al.; except, 2Co.11:24; __(b) beyond, above, in comparison with: Luk.3:13, Rom.12:3 14:5, Heb.1:4, 9 3:3, al.; __(with) on account of: 1Co.12:15, 16. __IV. In composition: beside, to (παραλαμβάνω, παράγω), at hand (πάρειμι), from (παραρρέω), amiss (παρακούω), past (παρέρχομαι), compared with (παρομοιάζω), above measure (παροργίζω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 189 NT verses. KJV: above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side…by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with See also: 1 Corinthians 3:11; John 7:51; 1 Peter 2:4.
ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-GPM
This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.
Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.
ου ou G3756 "no" Particle-N
This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.
Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.
λαμβανω lambanō G2983 "to take" Verb-PAI-1S
To take or receive something, like in Matthew 26:26, where Jesus takes bread and breaks it. It can also mean to accept or obtain something, and is often translated as receive or accept in the KJV.
Definition: λαμβάνω, [in LXX chiefly for לקח, also for אחז ,לכד ,נשׂא, etc. ;] __1. to take, lay hold of: absol., Mat.26:26, Mrk.14:22; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.5:40 26:52, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.21:35, Mrk.12:3, al.; pleonastic λαβών (M, Pr., 230; Bl., §74, 2), Mat.13:31 14:19, al.; so also indic., Mrk.7:27, Jhn.19:1, 40 Rev.8:5, al.; metaphorically, with accusative of thing(s), ἀφορμήν, Rom.7:8, 11; ὑδόδειγμα, Jas.5:10; id. with accusative of person(s), φόβος, Luk.7:16; πνεῦμα, Luk.9:39; πειρασμός, 1Co.10:13; aoristic pf. (M, Pr., 145, 238; BL, §59, 4), Rev.5:7 8:5, al. __2. to receive: absol., opposite to αἰτεῖν, Mat.7:8, al.; διδόναι, Mat.10:8, Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.27:6, Mrk.10:3o, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.6:21 13:20 19:27, 2Jo.10; ῥαπίσμασιν (a vulgarism; Bl., §38, 3), Mrk.14:65; metaphorically, τ. λόγον, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16; τ. μαρτυρίαν, Jhn.3:11; τ. ῥήματα, Jhn.12:48; πρόσωπον (Heb. נָשָׂא פָּנִים, Dalman, Words, 30), Luk.20:21, Gal.2:6; ζωὴν αἰώνιον (Dalman, op. cit., 124f.), Mrk.10:30 (cf. ἀνα-, ἀντι-, συν-αντι- (-μαι), ἀπο-, ἐπι-, κατα-, μετα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, συν-περι-, ὑπο-λαμβάνω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 248 NT verses. KJV: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 10:18; 1 Peter 4:10.

Study Notes — John 5:41

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 John 7:18 He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.
2 John 5:34 Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved.
3 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
4 John 8:50 I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge.
5 John 8:54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’
6 John 5:44 How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
7 John 6:15 Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.
8 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
9 2 Peter 1:17 For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

John 5:41 Summary

[Jesus is saying that He does not care about what people think of Him, but instead, He wants to please God. He wants us to know that our focus should be on glorifying God, not on seeking human praise and recognition. This means that we should be motivated by a desire to honor God, rather than to gain human approval (John 17:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:6). By following Jesus' example, we can learn to seek God's glory and approval, rather than human recognition.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesus mean when He says He does not accept glory from men?

Jesus is stating that He does not seek or accept praise and recognition from people, instead, He seeks to glorify His Father (John 8:50, John 17:1).

Is Jesus saying that He does not want us to worship or honor Him?

No, Jesus is not saying that we should not worship or honor Him, but rather that His focus is on glorifying God the Father, and our worship of Him should be a reflection of our love and worship for God (John 5:23, John 15:26).

How does this verse relate to the context of the surrounding verses?

In the context of John 5:39-43, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees' refusal to come to Him for life, and He is highlighting their lack of love for God, which is evident in their desire for human praise and recognition (John 12:43).

What can we learn from Jesus' statement about not accepting glory from men?

We can learn that our focus should be on glorifying God, rather than seeking human praise and recognition, and that our worship and service should be motivated by a desire to honor God, rather than to gain human approval (1 Thessalonians 2:6, Galatians 1:10).

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I seek glory and recognition from others, and how can I shift my focus to glorifying God instead?
  2. How does my desire for human praise and approval affect my relationship with God, and what can I do to cultivate a deeper love and worship for Him?
  3. In what ways can I reflect Jesus' humility and focus on glorifying God, rather than seeking human recognition, in my daily life and interactions with others?
  4. What are some areas in my life where I am seeking glory and recognition from men, rather than from God, and how can I surrender these areas to God's glory and will?

Gill's Exposition on John 5:41

I receive not honour from men. Not but that honour from men was due to Christ; and it becomes all men to honour him, as they do the Father; and he does receive honour and glory, and blessing from his

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 5:41

I receive not honour from men. I receive not honour , [ doxan (G1391)] - 'applause,' 'glory,' From men - contrasting His own end with theirs, which was to obtain human applause.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 5:41

I depend not upon the single testimony of men; or, I seek not, nor hunt after, the honour of men, nor regard what they think or say of me.

Trapp's Commentary on John 5:41

41 I receive not honour from men. Ver. 41. I receive not honour from men] q.d. I need you not, though I complain you come not to me. It is for your sakes that I seek to you. Christ could be happy, though all men should miscarry: as the sun would shine, though all the world were blind. He seeks not ours, but us.

Ellicott's Commentary on John 5:41

(41) I receive not honour.—The word is better rendered glory here, and in John 5:44. Jesus continues to dwell, in the remainder of the discourse (John 5:41-47), on the true cause of their incredulity. “Ye will not come to Me,” is the central thought. But were they, then, to follow this young Teacher, while they themselves had schools and disciples who held their teaching sacred, and their persons in honour, and addressed them as “Rabbi?” No! this is not the true coming to Him. They seek glory from men. He does not receive it (John 5:34).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 5:41

Verse 41. I receive not honour from men.] I do not stand in need of you or your testimony. I act neither through self-interest nor vanity. Your salvation can add nothing to me, nor can your destruction injure me: I speak only through my love for your souls, that ye may be saved.

Cambridge Bible on John 5:41

41–44. Not that I seek glory from men; had I done so, you would have received Me. Your worldliness prevents you from receiving One whose motives are not worldly.

Barnes' Notes on John 5:41

I receive not honour ... - “I do not say these things because I am desirous of human applause, but to account for the fact that you do not believe on me.

Whedon's Commentary on John 5:41

41. I receive not—He rejects the crown of secular Messiahship; he receives not the testimony of even John and the prophets as the endorsement of even those great MEN. His commissioner and endorser is God alone.

Sermons on John 5:41

SermonDescription
St. John Chrysostom Titus 1:5, 6 by St. John Chrysostom John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of appointing blameless elders in every city, emphasizing the qualities they should possess such as being faithful, not given to wine,
Phil Dindinger Pleasing God by Phil Dindinger In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of walking with God and being open to Him in every area of our lives. He encourages listeners to not be ashamed of the gospel
Dean Taylor Why Revival Leaves by Dean Taylor Dean Taylor delves into the topic of revival, exploring the reasons why revival tarries and why it eventually leaves. Drawing from historical accounts like the Lancaster revivals,
Zac Poonen Living for the Glory of God by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of seeking God's glory above all else, emphasizing that all things were created by God to bring glory to Him. He highlights how Jesus lived so
George Warnock The Glory of Moses' Countenance by George Warnock George Warnock emphasizes the importance of being conscious of the presence and glory of God in prayer, highlighting how Moses' face shone from talking with God, signifying true co
Phil Clarkson Cornerstone 50'th Anniversary Des Moines Conference by Phil Clarkson In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the story of Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue. He emphasizes the importance of receiving the witness of God, which
John Vissers John's Gospel - Witnesses for the Defence by John Vissers In this sermon, the speaker discusses how Jesus provides evidence to support his claim of being the Messiah and having a special relationship with God the Father. The evidence pres

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate