John 5:37

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:37

And the Father ( himself £ ), who sent me . ( he ) hath borne witness concerning me . If the "himself" be the genuine reading (and it is defended by Godet, M'Clellan, and Meyer), there would seem to be a special or direct and additional form of the Father's testimony. And several ancient and modern critics (Chrysostom, Bengel, Paulus, Godet) have seen in it a reference to the special "voice and shape" which were heard and teen by John and Jesus at the baptism, when heaven was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:37-38

The witness of the Father further elucidated. (See John 5:32 .) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 5:37

The Father himself ...hath borne witness of me - This God had done,By the miracles which Jesus had performed, and of which he was conversing. At the baptism of Jesus, where he said, “This is my beloved Son,” Matthew 3:17. In the prophecies of the Old Testament. It is not easy to say here to which of these he refers. Perhaps he has reference to all. Ye have neither heard his voice - This difficult passage has been interpreted in various ways. The main design of it seems to be clear - to reprove... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 5:36-38

John 5:36-38. But I have greater witness than that of John The testimony of one who has infinitely greater authority and power than he; for the works which the Father hath given me to finish The miracles which he hath commissioned me to perform; bear witness of me In a manner most convincing to every unprejudiced mind; that the Father hath sent me As his Ambassador to men, with full authority to reveal his will. And the Father himself hath borne witness of me And that in the most... 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 5:37

hath sent = sent (at a definite time). hath borne . And still bears. neither . . . nor. Greek. oute . . . oute. seen. Greek. horao. App-133 . shape = form. Greek. eidos. Compare Luke 3:22 ; Luke 9:39 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 5:37

And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.Another phase of the Father's witness regarded the Son of God himself, standing bodily before their eyes. His very presence on earth was a witness from God. Here was the Seed of woman, promised from the gates of Paradise; here was one whose birth was announced by the angels of God, one whom the sword of Herod could not slay, one whose life was sinless, perfect, and beautiful,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 5:37-38

John 5:37-38. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, &c.— "Nor have you any reason to dispute the testimony which the Father hath thus given me, though you have never heard his voice, nor seen his form; as being one whom no man hath seen or can see. For he has testified the same concerning me in his word, where he has spoken of me in the clearest manner. But, notwithstanding the submission that you profess to his authority, you will not be persuaded to receive the testimony he has... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - John 5:37

37. the Father himself . . . hath borne witness of me—not referring, probably, to the voice of His baptism, but (as seems from what follows) to the testimony of the Old Testament Scripture [CALVIN, LUCKE, MEYER, LUTHARDT, &c.]. neither heard his voice, &c.—never recognized Him in this character. The words are "designedly mysterious, like many others which our Lord uttered" [STIER]. 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

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