A common misinterpretation views this passage as diminishing the value of Scripture study, suggesting the Bible itself is insufficient or irrelevant for life, whereas it actually affirms the Scriptures' role in pointing to Jesus while condemning rejection of Him; another error twists it into a deterministic view where God forces unwillingness, ignoring the emphasis on human choice and responsibility in coming to Christ for life.
John 5:40
King James Version (1769)
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Jesus addresses the Jewish leaders who diligently study the Scriptures believing they lead to eternal life, yet they refuse to come to Him, the source of that life, revealing the core truth that salvation and true life are only found by willingly approaching Christ in faith, as the Scriptures testify about Him but cannot impart life apart from personal response to Him.