John 5

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

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.

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.

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

I receive not honour from men.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

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.

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

What does John 5:31 mean?

Explanation

The verse John 5:31, "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true," is part of a larger discourse in which Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders about His identity and authority.

In this verse, Jesus acknowledges a legal principle from the Jewish law that a person's testimony about themselves could not be accepted as valid without corroborative evidence. The literal meaning is clear: a person's self-testimony is not sufficient for establishing truth.

However, at a deeper level, Jesus is preparing to present the witnesses to His divine identity, aligning with the Jewish law's requirement for multiple witnesses to establish the truth of a claim.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 5:31 was written in the context of first-century Judea under Roman rule.

Jesus was often in conflict with Jewish religious leaders who doubted His messianic claims and authority.

Jesus' teachings often challenged the established religious system, and He had to navigate the expectations of the law while also revealing His identity as the Son of God.

Credibility was highly important in this culture, and the law stated that at least two witnesses were required to establish a fact (Deuteronomy 19:15).

Jesus' statement here is an acknowledgment of this legal standard.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints can provide varied insights on this verse.

Trinitarian Perspective: Trinitarians might see this verse as a precursor to Jesus introducing the testimony of the Father as evidence of His messianic claims.
Christological Perspective: From a Christological point of view, this verse reveals Jesus' awareness of His role and the need to fulfill legal righteousness.
Legal Perspective: Legally, the passage reinforces the necessity of meeting the requirements of the Jewish law which Jesus fulfilled perfectly.

Furthermore, the verse might be interpreted as emphasizing the importance of community and the danger of individualism since one's own testimony is deemed insufficient.

Practical Applications

The principles from John 5:31 can be applied to modern life in various ways:

Integrity: Highlight the importance of honesty and integrity, recognizing that one’s own testimony is not enough and needs confirmation.
Accountability: Encourage seeking corroboration and feedback from others which boosts accountability.
Humility: Teach the importance of humility, recognizing that self-claims need external validation.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 17:6: "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."
Deuteronomy 19:15: "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."
John 8:14: "Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go."

Language Study

The key phrase in this verse is "my witness is not true." The Greek word for "true" here is "alēthēs," which can mean true, in a factual sense, or truthful, in a moral sense.

Given the legal context, Jesus uses "alēthēs" to refer to the reliability and legal acceptability of testimony.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader context of ancient religions, the idea of validating claims with witnesses was not unique to Judaism.

Many ancient cultures had legal practices that required multiple witnesses.

However, the Jewish emphasis on truthful testimony was particularly strong and codified in their religious texts, distinguishing their legal practices.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science often deals with the concept of evidence and verification, mirroring the Biblical requirement for testimony validation.

In both law and science, the idea of peer review or independent verification is crucial for establishing the truth of a claim, showing the parallels between ancient principles and modern methodologies.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and experts have commented on John 5:31:

Traditional Commentaries: Often focus on the legalistic aspects of the verse, explaining how Jesus’ statement worked within the framework of Jewish law.
Modern Scholars: Some modern scholars see this verse as part of John's broader themes of light and truth, emphasizing the trustworthiness of Jesus in contrast to the world's unbelief.
Critical Scholarship: Critical scholars might analyze how the author of John used this statement to address the concerns of a community questioning Jesus' authority.

They typically place the verse within the larger narrative strategy of the Gospel of John.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 5:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?