John 5:39 “Search the Scriptures” KJV Mistranslation

One of the most popular verses of scripture used to encourage people to study the scriptures is John 5:39: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” While it is important to search the scriptures, this verse was not given as an injunction to search the scriptures. The King James translators missed a word which changes the meaning of the passage. This verse, in King James language, should have been translated: “Ye search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life . . .” Jesus was castigating the Jews who relied on their knowledge of the scriptures even while rejecting Him, who was the subject of the scriptures. The point: eternal life is found in Jesus Christ, not in knowing or memorizing verses of scripture. It is entirely possible for one to study the scriptures and yet not know Christ. Such was the state of the Jews to whom Jesus was speaking. Despite the fact they searched the scriptures, Jesus reproved them: “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:40)

For an interesting comparison of alternative translations of this verse, see: http://classic.net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Joh&chapter=5&verse=39

Joseph Smith on Revelation

He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a revealer to those who diligently seek him. Now the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this priesthood, there are many things which belong to the powers of the priesthood and the keys thereof that have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world. (5 October 1840; Original Manuscript, in the hand of Robert B. Thompson; The Words of Joseph Smith 41)

The only way to obtain truth and wisdom, is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer and obtain divine teaching. (3 October 1841; Times and Seasons 2:577-78; The Words of Joseph Smith 77)

The reason we do not have the secrets of the Lord revealed unto us is because we do not keep them but reveal them. (19 December 1841; Wilford Woodruff Journal; The Words of Joseph Smith 81)

Jesus in his teaching says upon this rock I will build my Church & the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. What rock? Revelation. (22 January 1843; Wilford Woodruff Journal; The Words of Joseph Smith 158)

Verily brethren there are things in the bosom of the Father, that have been hid from the foundation of the world, that are not Known neither can be except by direct Revelation. (21 May 1843; Howard and Martha Coray Notebook; The Words of Joseph Smith 206)

Reading the experience of others, or the revelations given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things, can only be obtained by experience in these things, through the ordinance of God set forth for that purpose. He remarked that the disappointment of hopes and expectations at the resurrection, would be indescribably dreadful. . . . . He assured the saints that truth in reference to these matters, can, and may be known, through the revelations of God in the way of his ordinances, and in answer to prayer. The Hebrew church "came unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all, and to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant;" but what they learned, has not been, and could not have been written. (9 October 1843; Times and Seasons 4:331-32; The Words of Joseph Smith 253)

I shall take the broad ground then that if we have or can receive a portion of knowledge from God by immediate revelation by the same source we can receive all knowledge. (21 January 1844; Wilford Woodruff Journal; The Words of Joseph Smith 318)