31"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. [5:32] There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he testifies about me is true. [5:33] You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. [5:34] But the testimony I receive is not from man — yet I say these things so that you may be saved. [5:35] He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to exult in his light. [5:36] But I have the testimony greater than John's — for the works that the Father has given me to finish, the very works I am doing, testify about me that the Father has sent me. [5:37] And the Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. [5:38] And you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe the one he sent."
JHN 5:31-38
Testimonies about Jesus
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, testimony carried significant legal and social weight. Jewish courts relied on the testimony of witnesses to establish truth, and Roman law similarly emphasized the importance of credible witnesses in legal proceedings. Jesus’ claim that His self-testimony is insufficient reflects this cultural expectation—truth required corroboration from others. John the Baptist, a respected prophetic figure, served as such a witness, validating Jesus’ identity. The imagery of John as a (portable oil lamp) evokes the transient nature of his role—he illuminated the way but was not the ultimate light. Jesus’ assertion that His (works) provide greater testimony aligns with Jewish expectations of divine validation through miraculous deeds. These works, particularly healings and signs, were understood as evidence of God’s presence and approval. The audience, familiar with these cultural and legal norms, would have recognized the layered argument: Jesus’ identity is confirmed by John’s testimony, His works, and ultimately, the Father’s witness.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
JHN 5:31
- KJV
- If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
- BSB
- If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.
- Koinōnos
- If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.
JHN 5:32
- KJV
- There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
- BSB
- There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.
- Koinōnos
- There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he testifies about me is true.
JHN 5:33
- KJV
- Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
- BSB
- You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
- Koinōnos
- You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
JHN 5:34
- KJV
- But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
- BSB
- Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved.
- Koinōnos
- But the testimony I receive is not from man — yet I say these things so that you may be saved.
JHN 5:35
- KJV
- He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
- BSB
- John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.
- Koinōnos
- He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to exult in his light.
JHN 5:36
- KJV
- But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
- BSB
- But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
- Koinōnos
- But I have the testimony greater than John's — for the works that the Father has given me to finish, the very works I am doing, testify about me that the Father has sent me.
JHN 5:37
- KJV
- And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
- BSB
- And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form,
- Koinōnos
- And the Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
JHN 5:38
- KJV
- And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
- BSB
- nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent.
- Koinōnos
- And you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe the one he sent.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.2.6
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.2.6
“When Antipater had spoken largely to this purpose, and had produced a great number of Archelaus's kindred as witnesses, to prove every part of the accusation”
Cited to ground: Jewish courts relied on the testimony of witnesses to establish truth
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works”
Cited to ground: Jesus’ assertion that His (works) provide greater testimony aligns with Jewish expectations of divine validation through miraculous deeds.
Translator's notes
JHN 5:31
- shall bear witness:The word translated 'shall bear witness' implies giving testimony in a legal or formal setting, often with the expectation of establishing truth or fact.
JHN 5:34
- may be saved.:The term translated 'may be saved' carries a broad sense of rescue, preservation, and being made whole, not just spiritual salvation but also physical deliverance from danger or illness.
JHN 5:35
- lamp:The word translated 'lamp' refers to a portable light source, typically an oil lamp, which would have been a common and essential item for illumination in ancient homes.
JHN 5:36
- the works:The word translated 'the works' refers to deeds or actions, often implying significant accomplishments or manifestations of power, rather than just ordinary tasks.