46. εἰ … ἐπιστεύετε. If ye believed (as in Joh 5:47) M., ye would believe Me: not ‘had ye believed,’ ‘would have believed,’ which would have required aorists. Comp. Joh 8:19 (where A.V. has a similar error), 42, Joh 9:41, Joh 15:19, Joh 18:36; and contrast Joh 4:10, Joh 11:21; Joh 11:32, Joh 14:28, where we have the aorist. The γάρ introduces the proof that Moses is their accuser; his statements and Christ’s agree: see on Joh 6:30.
περὶ γ. ἐμοῦ. Emphatic: For it was of Me he wrote. Christ here stamps the Pentateuch with His authority; accepting, as referring to Himself, its Messianic types and prophecies. Luk 24:27; Luk 24:44.