John 5:43

These critics failed to come to Jesus for life (John 5:40) also because they refused to acknowledge that He had come from the Father. In rejecting Jesus they had rejected the Father’s ambassador who had come in His name and, therefore, the Father Himself. If they had known and loved the Father, they would have recognized Jesus’ similarity to the Father. Having rejected the true Messiah the religious leaders would follow false messiahs. Rejection of what is true always makes one susceptible to counterfeits (cf. Luke 23:18-23).