John 5 34

John 5:34 kjv

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

John 5:34 nkjv

Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.

John 5:34 niv

Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.

John 5:34 esv

Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.

John 5:34 nlt

Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved.

John 5 verses

John 5 34 Meaning

Jesus unequivocally states His inherent divine authority and self-sufficiency, indicating that He does not depend on or draw validation from any human testimony, even that of John the Baptist. Yet, out of His compassionate desire for humanity, He speaks of such testimonies—specifically John's witness mentioned just before—to provide an opportunity for people to believe in Him and thus receive salvation from sin and divine judgment.

John 5 34 Context

John 5:34 is embedded within a profound discourse Jesus gives following the healing of a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. This miracle provokes fierce opposition from Jewish leaders, who accuse Jesus of Sabbath-breaking and blasphemy for claiming God as His own Father, thereby making Himself equal with God (Jn 5:18).

In response, Jesus launches into a detailed explanation of His divine relationship with the Father and His inherent authority. He appeals to various witnesses (plural), including the Father's testimony (v.32, 37), His own miraculous works (v.36), and the Scriptures (v.39). Within this argument, He first mentions John the Baptist in verse 33, acknowledging that the Jewish leaders themselves had sent to John, and John bore true witness to Jesus. Verse 34 then serves as a crucial clarification of why Jesus brings up John's testimony. It highlights that while John's witness is true and respected by some, Jesus's fundamental validation does not come from any human source. His reference to John is not a sign of dependency but an act of grace, aimed at guiding His audience towards belief and salvation, using a witness they might have been more receptive to initially.

John 5 34 Word analysis

• But I (Ἐγὼ δὲ, Egō de): "But I" creates a strong emphatic contrast, immediately setting Jesus's perspective apart from any common assumption or need for human validation. It underlines His distinct identity and authority.
• receive not (οὐ λαμβάνω, ou lambanō): "I do not take" or "I do not accept." This is not a denial of the truthfulness of human testimony (like John's), but rather a declaration of non-dependency. Jesus does not need or derive His legitimacy or identity from any external, human source. His authority is intrinsic.
• testimony (μαρτυρίαν, martyrian): Means witness or evidence. It is a verifiable account or declaration about someone or something. Here, it refers specifically to John the Baptist's declarations about Jesus.
• from man (παρὰ ἀνθρώπου, para anthrōpou): Directly means "from a human being." This explicitly qualifies the source of the testimony, emphasizing its human origin, which by nature is finite, fallible, and cannot grant divine authority. It contrasts sharply with testimony from God.
• but these things I say (ἀλλὰ ταῦτα λέγω, alla tauta legō): "But these things I speak." "These things" refers to the specific mention of John the Baptist's testimony in the preceding verse (v.33) and by extension, the entire act of pointing to any human witness. This phrase signals Jesus's purpose and motivation.
• that ye might be saved (ἵνα ὑμεῖς σωθῆτε, hina hymeis sōthēte): This is a direct purpose clause. "That you all might be saved." "Saved" (sōthēte) implies rescue, deliverance, preservation, especially from divine judgment and eternal death, leading to spiritual healing and life. This reveals Jesus's merciful and loving intent behind appealing to an accessible human witness like John. It is for their benefit, not His own.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But I receive not testimony from man": This phrase asserts Jesus's complete independence from human validation. His person, authority, and mission are not contingent on, or enhanced by, human witness. His truth is inherent and divinely derived, not conferred by people, however great they may be (like John). It also serves as a subtle contrast to those He later critiques for seeking honor from man (Jn 5:44).
• "but these things I say, that ye might be saved": This segment reveals Jesus's profound condescension and evangelistic heart. Despite not needing human testimony, He utilizes it as a pedagogical and pastoral tool. His motivation for mentioning John is not self-promotion but a compassionate appeal to His listeners, offering them an opportunity to respond to a credible witness and thereby find eternal life. This emphasizes His core mission of bringing salvation to humanity.

John 5 34 Bonus section

• The phrasing highlights the critical distinction between the source of truth and the means by which truth is communicated or affirmed for human benefit. Jesus's source of truth is divine; John is merely a pointer to that truth, making it accessible to human understanding.
• The Jewish leaders were trapped in seeking human approval and tradition. By contrast, Jesus's rejection of human testimony for His own sake stands as a silent rebuke to their values, showing where true authority and worth reside.
• This verse indirectly sets up the broader conflict in John's Gospel, where human unwillingness to believe even accessible truths ultimately leads to judgment, despite Jesus's efforts for salvation.

John 5 34 Commentary

John 5:34 encapsulates a critical paradox of Jesus's ministry. He is the Son of God, intrinsically divine and needing no human validation for His claims or identity. His true witness comes from the Father, His own works, and the Scriptures, all superior to any human word. Yet, out of His infinite love and desire to save humanity, He stoops to meet people where they are. He refers to John the Baptist's testimony—a testimony they once respected (Jn 5:35) and was comprehensible to them—not because it adds anything to His intrinsic truth, but because it acts as a signpost. This gesture is an act of pure grace, offering them a recognizable path to belief. His declaration underlines that every aspect of His public ministry, even when referencing a human prophet, is ultimately driven by the compassionate, salvific purpose: to draw people towards Him, so that they may escape judgment and experience eternal life. It challenges us to look beyond the immediate source of information to the ultimate loving purpose behind it.