John 5:33 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:33

Ye have sent to John, and he hath borne witness to the truth . The sending to John was probably a reference to the official transaction described in John 1:19 . This is not the "other" whom he referred to, for in the next clause he made solemn disclaimer of resting his claim upon John or upon any individual man. The witness of the forerunner was a true one. The function of the prophet is to bear witness to the Light, to strip off the veils which hide it, to call attention to its most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:33-35

(b) The temporary witness of John. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 5:33

Ye sent unto John - See John 1:19.He bare witness ... - See John 1:26, John 1:29, John 1:36. This testimony of John ought to have satisfied them. John was an eminent man; many of the Pharisees believed on him; he was candid, unambitious, sincere, and his evidence was impartial. On this Jesus might have rested the proof that he was the Messiah, but he was willing, also, to adduce evidence of a higher order. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 5:31-35

John 5:31-35. If I bear witness of myself my witness is not true Heylin and Wesley read, is not valid; Doddridge, is not [ to be admitted as ] true; and Campbell, is not to be regarded; observing, “In every country, where there are standing laws, and a regular constitution, there is what is called a forensic, or judicial use of certain words, which differs considerably from familiar use.” Thus the word δικαιος , rendered a just person, (Matthew 27:24,) seems to mean no more than,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 5:30-47

47. Witness to Jesus (John 5:30-47)Jesus acted with God’s authority, but he would not give evidence on his own behalf to try to convince the Jews. God was his witness, and Jesus accepted his witness even if the Jews did not (John 5:30-32). With God as his witness, Jesus needed no other, but if the Jews wanted earthly witnesses, they were available. Jesus gave them three, which would satisfy those who wanted to judge him according to the requirements for witnesses under Jewish law (cf.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 5:33

sent = have sent. Greek. apostello. App-174 . unto. Greek. pros. App-104 . he bare = he hath borne. truth. See note on John 1:14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 5:33

Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth.This has led some to suppose that the witness in the preceding verse is John the Baptist and not the Father; but the very next words of Christ reveal that this reference to John is parenthetical, introduced for possible benefit to Jesus' hearers, but not as that witness of himself needed or received in this context, because it was "from men."Ye have sent unto John ... refers to the deputation (John 1:19) sent out by the priests... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 5:32-33

John 5:32-33. There is another that beareth witness, &c.— This proof, taken from the testimony of John the Baptist, though our Lord seems to speak slightingly of it, when he compares it with the proof drawn from his own miracles, yet was an argument of particular force to the Jews, and could not fail to convince and confound them; for, as we read in another place, they durst not openly speak against John, because the people generally had him in esteem, and thought him a prophet. A proof,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 5:33

33-35. Ye sent unto John—(See John 1:19, &c.). receive not testimony . . . from man—that is, depend not on human testimony. but . . . that ye might be saved—"I refer to him merely to aid your salvation." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 5:30-47

4. The Father’s witness to the Song of Solomon 5:30-47Jesus now returned to develop a theme that He had introduced previously, namely, the Father’s testimony to the Son (John 5:19-20). Jesus proceeded to cite five witnesses to His identity, all of which came from the Father, since the Jews had questioned His authority."The train of argument in this section is like a court scene, reminiscent of the trial scenes in the OT, when witnesses are summoned by Yahweh to testify on behalf of the gods of... read more