glory
The term "glory" is translated from the Greek word "δόξα" (doxa), which can mean honor, praise, or splendor. In the biblical context, glory often refers to the divine presence and majesty of God. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, possesses inherent glory. However, He chooses not to seek or rely on the superficial and often fleeting glory that comes from human beings. This highlights the contrast between divine glory, which is eternal and pure, and human glory, which is temporary and often tainted by sin.

from men
The phrase "from men" underscores the source of the glory that Jesus rejects. In the historical and cultural context of the time, religious leaders and society often bestowed honor based on external adherence to the law and public displays of piety. Jesus, however, challenges this norm by focusing on the heart and the will of God rather than human traditions and accolades. This serves as a reminder to believers to prioritize divine approval over human praise, aligning their lives with God's will rather than societal expectations.

(d) The effect of the revelation of the Son upon the Jews. Verses 41, 42. - This appeal to the will of man was apparently entirely misunderstood, and ended for the time in failure. "They would not come." Everything was prepared, but none were ready or willing to accept even so rich a blessing as life itself. This is the refrain of the whole Bible: "Ye will not; .... Ye would not;" "What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?" "I called, and ye refused;" "I wrote the great things of my Law; ye have counted them as strange things." Our Lord proceeds in the closing words to account in some respects for this unwillingness. I receive not glory from men, but I know you (ἔγνωκα, I have come by experience or intuition to such knowledge of you), that you have not the love of God in you. The love of God is the principle of all obedience; and Christ elsewhere declares it to be the first and great commandment of the Law. But love is the principle of all knowledge. "He that loveth not knoweth not." This principle reaches its fullest expression when we learn the greater truth that "God is love." It is true of all objects of love, the highest kind of knowledge is not possible without love. This is pre-eminently the case when we think of knowing God. Since God is essential Love, without experiencing love we cannot realize that Divine essence. Again, there is an elementary faith that precedes elementary love, but when love is once awakened, faith again deepens, and love grows by what it feeds upon, until the faith becomes vision and the love rapture. But why the opening words, I receive not glory from men? Probably they intimate opposition and questioning to some such effect as this: "Thou hast declared thyself the Giver of life and resurrection, and charged our lack of spiritual life upon our unwillingness to believe these claims and to submit ourselves to these exalted assumptions or to go to thee for life. Thou art eager, after all, for our approval and glory." To this Christ replied, "Glory from men I receive not. It is not for my sake, but for yours, I say, 'Come unto me and live;' but, alas! having searched you through and through, I discern no love, none of the spirit out of which the forces of faith can be evolved. The reason why you are unwilling to come to me for life is that you are measuring me by yourselves, and have not that self-emptying and abnegation and distrust out of which faith and love, love and faith, must ever spring."

Parallel Commentaries ...