The Gospels – The Gospel According to John
I receive no honour from men
John 5:41-47 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
The Pharisees and scribes and in fact the generality of the people would prefer to be deceived and led astray by human beings who know how to tell them what they want to hear. These deceivers cunningly set out teachings adjusted to the weaknesses of their hearers. This actually happened many times in Israel when many would be leaders declared themselves to be the Messiah and led the Israelites to senseless revolts against the Romans. These frequently led to massacres of the Jews.
The people would rather accept such people who would promise them earthly kingdoms and comfort than One Who promised them an eternal spiritual freedom from which was also to arise eventually the earthly freedom that they craved.