31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 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. 37 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.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 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? (John 5:31-47 KJV)
The Fourfold Witness
In these verses, our Lord Jesus confirms the commission he had presented and shows that he was sent by God to be the Messiah. He sets aside his own testimony (John 5:31): “If I testify about myself, even though it is infallibly true (John 8:14), yet, according to the general rule of judgment among people, you will not accept it as legal proof, nor allow it as valid evidence.” This reflects poorly on people’s integrity, showing that self-interest often outweighs a love for truth. Yet it also honors Christ’s humility: although he is the faithful witness and the truth itself, he chooses to provide supporting evidence to strengthen our faith.
He presents other witnesses to prove that he was sent by God. First, the Father testified about him (John 5:32; 8:18): “There is another who testifies about me.” God testified not only through a voice from heaven but also by the signs of his presence with Christ. Where God sends, he confirms; and those who honor him, he will honor. Christ expresses full confidence in this testimony: “I know that the testimony he gives about me is true.” He was fully convinced of his divine mission.
John the Baptist also testified about Christ (John 5:33). John’s role was to prepare the way and point people to Christ: “Behold the Lamb of God.” His testimony was formal and public: “You sent an official delegation to John,” and it was truthful—John testified to the truth. Christ doesn’t say, “He testified about me,” but “He testified to the truth,” emphasizing John’s sincerity and integrity.
Two things are said about John’s testimony: First, that it was more than Christ needed (John 5:34). Christ did not rely on human testimony but mentioned it so that they might be saved. His intention was to save, not to defend himself. He referred to John because they respected him and might listen. Second, it was a testimony the people initially accepted (John 5:35). John was a burning and shining light—a sincere, passionate, and impactful minister. The people were willing, for a time, to rejoice in his light, celebrating his appearance. But it didn’t last; their enthusiasm faded, and they later dismissed him. They liked his message when it suited them, but soon rejected him when it no longer aligned with their expectations. Their fleeting acceptance showed their inconsistency in rejecting Christ, whom John had endorsed.
Christ’s own works testified about him (John 5:36): “I have a greater testimony than John’s.” His life and ministry—full of holiness, power, and grace—proved he was sent by God. His miracles were specifically given by the Father, meant to be completed, and served as undeniable evidence of his divine mission (Hebrews 2:4; Acts 2:22).
Christ again mentions the Father’s testimony (John 5:37): “The Father who sent me has testified about me.” God did this by a voice from heaven at his baptism (Matthew 3:17) and again at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). Those whom God sends, he supports. If God testified about Christ, why didn’t they believe? Because they weren’t familiar with God’s revelations: “You’ve never heard his voice or seen his form” (John 5:37). They didn’t have his word living in them (John 5:38). Though they possessed the Scriptures, the word didn’t dwell in their hearts. If it had, they would have believed Christ.
The Old Testament also testified of him (John 5:39). “You search the Scriptures”—either a statement or a command. Either way, Christ affirms the importance of thoroughly studying Scripture. Searching the Scriptures means seeking both the promise of eternal life and the testimony of Christ. The Jews believed the Scriptures contained eternal life, but they missed the point by relying on rote study and tradition. They expected salvation through knowledge, but without faith and understanding.
The Scriptures testify of Christ. The Spirit of Christ spoke through the prophets, and the Old Testament foretold him. Yet the Jews, though diligent in study, failed to apply what they read. Christ is the treasure hidden in the field of Scripture, the one they should have found. Despite their study, they refused to come to him for life (John 5:40). Their rejection was not from ignorance but from willful unbelief. Christ offers life—pardon, grace, and glory—but they would not come. It was not that they couldn’t come, but that they wouldn’t. They rejected the life offered because it was spiritual and on God’s terms.
Christ adds, “I do not receive honor from people” (John 5:41), showing he did not seek human applause. He avoided fame and rejected worldly glory. His focus was on doing the Father’s will.
He accuses them of lacking the love of God (John 5:42): “I know that you do not have the love of God in you.” Their rejection of Christ showed they did not love God. Despite their religious rituals, they lacked genuine devotion. Christ knew their hearts better than they knew themselves.
He charges them with accepting false messiahs while rejecting the true one (John 5:43): “I came in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.” Rejecting Christ, they opened themselves to deception. This rejection led to spiritual ruin, as they embraced false hopes and teachers (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11).
He also exposes their pride (John 5:44): “How can you believe, when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from God?” Their desire for worldly praise made it impossible for them to believe. They valued human approval over divine acceptance. Seeking honor from others blocked their path to faith.
Lastly, he appeals to Moses (John 5:45-47). They revered Moses and claimed to follow him, but Moses accused them. The law, which they trusted, condemned them. Moses wrote about Christ—as the promised Seed, the great Prophet, and in the types and ceremonies of the law. If they had believed Moses, they would have believed Christ. Their failure to believe Moses’ writings showed they were unprepared to believe Christ’s words. The written testimony of Scripture was clear, and their rejection of it left them without excuse.
Thus ends Christ’s defense. Though it may have silenced them outwardly, their hearts remained hardened.