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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 5:31-47

In these verses our Lord Jesus proves and confirms the commission he had produced, and makes it out that he was sent of God to be the Messiah. I. He sets aside his own testimony of himself (John 5:31): ?If I bear witness of myself, though it is infallibly true (John 8:14), yet, according to the common rule of judgment among men, you will not admit it as legal proof, nor allow it to be given in evidence.? Now, 1. This reflects reproach upon the sons of men, and their veracity and integrity.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 5:31-36

5:31-36 If I bear witness about myself, my witness need not be accepted as true; but it is Another who is bearing witness about me, and I know that the witness which he bears about me is true. You sent your envoys to John, and he bore witness to the truth; but the testimony which I receive is not from any man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the lamp which burns and shines. For a time you were pleased to take pleasure in his light. But I have a greater testimony than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 5:33

Ye sent unto John ,.... The sanhedrim at Jerusalem made a deputation of priests and Levites to him, to know who he was, whether the Messiah, or Elias, or that prophet, John 1:19 . Now had they not looked upon him, from what they knew of him, or from the character they had of him, as a faithful witness, they would never have shown him so much respect, and have been at so much pains, and charge, as to send such a body of men so far unto him, as from Jerusalem to beyond Jordan; which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:33

Ye sent unto John - I am not without human testimony of the most respectable kind: - Ye sent to John, and he bare witness. There are several circumstances in John's character which render his testimony unexceptionable. He is consulted by the very enemies of Christ, as a very holy and extraordinary man. He is perfectly free from all self-interest, having declined making the least advantage by his own reputation. He is sincere, undaunted, and so averse from all kinds of flattery that he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:33

Verse 33 33.You sent to John. Before producing the testimony of God, he presses them with the answer of John, from which they could not honorably withhold their belief. For of what use was it to send to him, if they did not intend to abide by his words? They send to him as a Prophet of God, and thus they pretend that his word will be regarded by them as an oracle. Now, though this implies another admission in their favor, still Christ openly brings against them this charge, that nothing but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:1-47

1. Christ proved, by signs and wonders and testimonies, to be Source of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:17-47

(3) The reply of Jesus to the hostile Jews. The discourse of the Lord Jesus, in reply to the persecuting spirit and deadly purpose of the Jewish authorities, is now given at length. There is a fulness and order and progress observable throughout of immense importance as establishing the sacred origin of the words. The simplicity of the style, quite Hebraic in its freedom from conjunctive forms, discriminates it from the Philonic presentation of certain analogous but different ideas. If, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 5:31-40

The witness to the Son. The Jews might retort that all Jesus affirmed respecting himself had no other support than his own words. His answer is that there is a threefold witness in his favour. I. OUR LORD ADMITS THE NEED OF A DIVINE SANCTION . "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." 1 . This Witness is God himself, though his name is not yet... read more

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