John 19 35

John 19:35 kjv

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

John 19:35 nkjv

And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

John 19:35 niv

The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

John 19:35 esv

He who saw it has borne witness ? his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth ? that you also may believe.

John 19:35 nlt

(This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe. )

John 19 verses

John 19 35 Meaning

John 19:35 declares the absolute truthfulness and reliability of the eyewitness account of Jesus' crucifixion, particularly the detail of blood and water flowing from His side. The verse explicitly states the credibility of the witness, emphasizing their direct observation and internal conviction, with the ultimate purpose of this steadfast testimony being to bring others to believe in Jesus. It underlines the factual, historical foundation of the Christian faith.

John 19 35 Context

John 19:35 is situated immediately after the pivotal account of Jesus' death on the cross, specifically the soldier piercing His side and the subsequent outflow of blood and water (John 19:34). This event held significant theological meaning for John. Historically, crucifixions were often witnessed by crowds. The Roman soldiers' actions—not breaking Jesus' legs but piercing His side—fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (Zech 12:10, Ps 34:20) and definitively established His death, countering any possible future claim that He merely swooned or that His body was not real. This verse provides an authoritative seal on the veracity of these critical events surrounding Christ's bodily death, which was a point of contention for early emerging theological disputes (e.g., Docetism). The entire Gospel of John focuses on Jesus' identity as the Son of God, and His death is the climax of His mission. This particular testimony shores up the historical reality and theological significance of that death.

John 19 35 Word analysis

• And: Links the testimony to the immediately preceding event, the piercing of Jesus' side (Jn 19:34).
• he that saw it: Refers to an eyewitness, widely understood to be John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (Jn 21:24). The Greek word ὁ ἑωρακώς (ho heōrakōs) is a perfect active participle, emphasizing that this individual not only witnessed the event at a specific past time but continued to bear the understanding and knowledge of that sight into the present. It points to a direct, personal, and complete apprehension of the event.
• bare record: The Greek μεμαρτύρηκεν (memartyrēken) is a perfect active indicative verb, indicating an enduring testimony, something stated in the past with ongoing validity and effect in the present. It suggests a strong, authoritative, and reliable declaration of truth, emphasizing the weight and certainty of the witness's statement.
• and his record is true: καὶ ἀληθινή ἐστιν αὐτοῦ ἡ μαρτυρία (kai alēthinē estin autou hē martyria). ἀληθινή (alēthinē) signifies genuineness, authenticity, and reality. This statement is a direct affirmation of the veracity and absolute dependability of the testimony itself, declaring it to be consistent with fact and free from falsehood.
• and he knoweth: The Greek οἶδεν (oiden) signifies an internal, certain, and intuitive knowledge, distinct from merely learning by experience. It suggests a profound and unquestionable conviction on the part of the witness regarding the truth of his statement, bordering on absolute certainty.
• that he saith true: ὅτι ἀληθῆ λέγει (hoti alēthē legei). ἀληθῆ (alēthē) is used here as an adjective referring to what is true. This phrase acts as a double emphasis on truth, affirming not just that the testimony is true, but that the witness himself speaks the truth, confirming his character and integrity as a truth-teller.
• that ye might believe: The Greek ἵνα ὑμεῖς πιστεύσητε (hina hymeis pisteusēte) expresses the explicit purpose (a purpose clause) behind the testimony. It signifies the evangelistic intent—the ultimate goal of the witness's truthful account is to bring the readers, and thus all who hear, to faith in Jesus Christ. The aorist subjunctive tense suggests a decisive, active embrace of belief.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "he that saw it bare record": This phrase establishes the firsthand nature of the testimony. The saw (ho heōrakōs) implies deep observation, not just casual viewing. The bare record (memartyrēken) highlights the enduring quality of this firsthand account, making it foundational.
• "and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true": This powerful double affirmation ("record is true" and "he knoweth that he saith true") rigorously validates both the message (the record) and the messenger (the witness). It guards against any potential skepticism, establishing an unshakeable basis of credibility for the events described. This emphasizes an absolute certainty on the part of the witness.
• "that ye might believe": This concluding purpose clause reveals the ultimate theological and evangelistic motivation for including such an emphatic affirmation. The historical details are not merely for information but for transformation, aiming to cultivate faith in the readers concerning Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

John 19 35 Bonus section

The early Christian community placed immense value on eyewitness accounts, seeing them as the bedrock of their preaching (Acts 4:20). John, being "the disciple whom Jesus loved," likely enjoyed a unique intimacy with Christ, which, in the Jewish tradition of disciple-teacher relationships, would confer special authority and insight into Jesus' teachings and life. His Gospel, therefore, presents a distinct perspective that complements the synoptics by focusing on profound theological discourse and the evidential nature of Jesus' signs. The double assertion of truth in John 19:35 (his record is true and he knoweth that he saith true) can be seen as a strong rhetorical device designed to combat any future skepticism. It appeals to the reliability of external testimony and the internal conviction of the witness. Furthermore, this emphasis on an objective, verifiable witness is critical because it roots the Christian faith in historical reality, protecting it from being reduced to mere philosophy or abstract spiritual experience. The witness (John) does not merely offer opinion but certifies fact for the reader's ultimate conviction.

John 19 35 Commentary

John 19:35 serves as a crucial hermeneutical key within John's Gospel, particularly concerning the historical accuracy and theological weight of Jesus' crucifixion. By emphasizing the eyewitness nature and absolute truthfulness of the account, John establishes an undeniable foundation for the Christian faith, rooted in verifiable events. This strong affirmation aims to ground the reader's faith not in myth or hearsay, but in the clear, credible testimony of one who was physically present. The detailed reporting of the blood and water flowing from Jesus’ side (Jn 19:34), confirmed by this verse, has deep symbolic meanings pointing to cleansing, new life, and the sacraments, but it is fundamentally presented as a historical, seen fact. This insistent truth claim also functions as an early counter to emerging ideas that might deny the real humanity and bodily death of Jesus, securing the physical reality of the incarnation. Ultimately, John's intention is not simply to inform, but to evoke belief.