Voice—shape. Not referring to the descent of the dove and the voice from heaven at Jesus’ baptism, but generally and figuratively to God’s witness in the Old Testament Scriptures. This is in harmony with the succeeding reference to the word.
38. His word. Emphatic, commencing the sentence. Com- pare xvii. 6 sqq.; 1 John i. 10; ii. 14.
39. Search (épevvare). Rev., rightly, ye search. Jesus is appealing to a familiar practice of which for in them ye think is explanatory. See 1 Pet. i. 11; Rom. viii. 27; 1 Cor. ii. 10; Apoce. il. 23.
The scriptures (ras ypaddas). Lit., the wretengs ; possibly with a hint at the contrast with the word (ver. 38).
They (éxeivac). Those very scriptures.
40. And. More than a simple copula. Rather and yet. See on Luke xviii. 7.
Ve will not (ov 9érere). Indicating stubborn determination. See on Matt. 1. 19.
41. | receive not honor from men. The Greek order is: glory from men I receive not. Compare ver. 34. His glory consists in his loving fellowship with God. Men who do not love God are not in sympathy with Him.
42. I know (éyvoxa). See on ii. 24.
The love of God. Love toward God. This was the sum- mary of their own law. The phrase occurs elsewhere in the Gospels only in Luke xi. 42.
In you (év éautois). Rev., rightly, an yourselves. Compare vi. 538; 1 Jobn v. 10; Mark iv. 17.
44. Ve believe. Again the emphatic ye, the reason for the emphasis being given in the succeeding clause.