John 5:36-37

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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 5:37-43

5:37-43 And the Father who sent me has home witness about me. You have never heard his voice, nor have you ever seen his form. You do not have his word dwelling in you, because you do not believe in the One whom he sent. You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life. It is they which bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I receive no glory from men; but I know you and I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 5:36

But I have greater witness than that of John ,.... The Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions read, "greater than John", but wrongly; for the testimonies of Christ's works, and of his Father, are not compared with John himself, but with his testimony; and the sense is, that Christ had a greater witness than the witness of John; and so it is expressed in the Persic version: and his meaning is, that he had no need to insist upon John's testimony; he had other, and greater witnesses to produce: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 5:37

And the Father himself, which hath sent me ,.... Not only the works he gave him to do, and which he did, but he himself in person: hath borne witness of me ; not only in the writings of Moses, and the prophecies of the Old Testament, but by an audible articulate voice from heaven, at the time of Christ's baptism, Matthew 3:17 ; which was a full testimony of the sonship of Christ, and of the Father's well pleasure in him; and which was repeated at his transfiguration on the mount, ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:36

But I have greater witness - However decisive the judgment of such a man as John may be, who was the lamp of Israel, a miracle of grace, filled with the spirit of Elijah, and more than any prophet, because he pointed out, not the Messiah who was to come, but the Messiah who was already come: nevertheless, I am not obliged to depend on his testimony alone; for I have a greater one, that of Him whom you acknowledge to be your God. And how do I prove that this God bears testimony to me? By my... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:37

The Father himself - hath borne witness - That is, by his prophets. Ye have neither heard his voice - I make these words, with Bp. Pearce, a parenthesis: the sense is - "Not that my Father ever appeared visibly or spake audibly to any of you; but he did it by the mouths of his prophets." Lately, however, he had added to their testimony his own voice from heaven, on the day of Christ's baptism. See Matthew 3:17 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:36

Verse 36 36.But I have greater testimony than that of John. After having showed that, in the person of John, the Jews had wickedly corrupted the gift of God, he now repeats a second time what he had said, that he has no need of the testimony of man, as if he had not enough of himself; although, perceiving that they held his person in contempt, he sent them to his Father, according to his custom. For the works which the Father hath given me to do. He holds out to view two things, by which he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 5:37

Verse 37 37.And the Father who hath sent me. To limit this statement, as some have done, (108) to the voice which was heard at his baptism, (Matthew 3:17,) is a mistake; for he says in the past tense, that the Father ( μεμαρτύρηκε)testified, in order to show that he did not come forward as an unknown person, because the Father had long ago distinguished him by such peculiar marks that, bringing them along with him, he might be recognized. I explain, therefore, that God testified concerning his... 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

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