John 5 36

John 5:36 kjv

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

John 5:36 nkjv

But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish?the very works that I do?bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

John 5:36 niv

"I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish?the very works that I am doing?testify that the Father has sent me.

John 5:36 esv

But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.

John 5:36 nlt

But I have a greater witness than John ? my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.

John 5 verses

John 5 36 Meaning

This verse declares that the testimony Jesus possesses is greater than that of John the Baptist. Jesus is stating that the works the Father has given Him to accomplish are themselves a testament to His divine mission. These works provide undeniable evidence of His identity and authority, surpassing even the witness of John.

John 5 36 Context

In this section of John's Gospel, Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders' disbelief after He healed a man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. The leaders were not only disputing His healing but also His claim to be acting with divine authority. Jesus then asserts that He has a testimony greater than John the Baptist's, referring to the "works" He performs. These works, initiated by the Father, serve as evidence of Jesus' divine mission and Sonship, pointing to His ultimate purpose and authority given to Him by God.

John 5 36 Word analysis

• I (Greek: ἐγὼ, ego)
  • A pronoun of the first person singular.
  • Emphasizes Jesus' personal claim and assertion.
• have (Greek: ἔχω, echō)
  • Present active indicative of echō, meaning "to have," "to possess," "to hold."
  • Indicates Jesus currently possesses this testimony.
• a testimony (Greek: μαρτυρία, martyria)
  • "Witness," "testimony," "evidence."
  • Refers to that which serves as proof or confirmation.
  • John the Baptist had provided a verbal testimony (John 1:19-36). Jesus contrasts this with a different kind of evidence.
• greater (Greek: μείζων, meizōn)
  • Comparative form of megas, meaning "great."
  • Implies a superiority in nature, scope, or authority.
  • The works possess a weight and substantiation that transcends human witness.
• than that of John (Greek: ἢ τὸ Ἰωάννου, ē to Iōannou)
  • A comparative particle (ἤ, ē) followed by the genitive of the name John (Ἰωάννου, Iōannou).
  • Directly contrasts Jesus' testimony with John the Baptist's.
• the testimony (Greek: ἡ μαρτυρία, hē martyria)
  • Refers back to the concept of testimony, specifically "the testimony" that Jesus possesses.
• I bear (Greek: ἔχω, echō)
  • Again uses echō.
  • Literally "I have," implying possession and the active bearing of witness through actions.
• of myself (Greek: ἀπ’ ἐμαυτοῦ, ap’ emautou)
  • A preposition (ἀπό, apo) meaning "from" or "of," compounded with the reflexive pronoun (ἐμαυτοῦ, emaoutou, "myself").
  • Indicates the source or origin of this testimony; it originates from His own being and actions.
• for (Greek: ὅτι, hoti)
  • A conjunction introducing a cause or reason. "Because."
• the works (Greek: τὰ ἔργα, ta erga)
  • Plural of ἔργον (ergon), meaning "work," "deed," "action," "accomplishment."
  • This refers to the miraculous deeds Jesus performed.
• which (Greek: ἃ, ha)
  • A relative pronoun, neuter plural, referring to ta erga.
• the Father (Greek: ὁ πατήρ, ho patēr)
  • The definite article and noun for "Father."
  • Signifies God the Father.
• has given (Greek: δέδωκεν, dedōken)
  • Perfect tense of δίδωμι (didōmi), "to give."
  • The perfect tense emphasizes a completed action with ongoing results. The Father has given these works to Jesus, and their existence and completion continue to testify.
• me to do (Greek: ἐμοί, emoi (dative of recipient) + ποιῆσαι, poiēsai (aorist infinitive of ποιέω, poieō, "to do," "to make")).
  • Indicates the purpose for which the Father gave the works—for Jesus to accomplish them.
  • "for me to perform."
• even (Greek: αὐτά, auta)
  • A demonstrative pronoun, neuter plural, referring back to ta erga ("these very works").
  • Adds emphasis, underscoring that these specific, concrete works themselves are the evidence.
• bear witness (Greek: μαρτυρεῖ, martyreī)
  • Third person singular, present active indicative of μαρτυρέω (martyreō), "to bear witness," "to testify."
  • The works actively testify. They do not just passively exist; they are functioning witnesses.
• of me (Greek: περὶ ἐμοῦ, peri emou)
  • A preposition (περί, peri) meaning "concerning" or "about," followed by the genitive of the pronoun "me" (ἐμοῦ, emou).
  • Indicates that the testimony is directly about Jesus' identity and mission.

Group analysis:The structure contrasts John's external testimony with the internal, evidence-based testimony of Jesus' works. The phrase "the works which the Father has given me to do" highlights a divine delegation and commission, meaning Jesus' actions are not independent but are part of a divine plan orchestrated by the Father, making them authoritative evidence of Jesus’ divine identity and mission. The repetition of "testimony" (martyria) and "works" (erga) emphasizes the connection between Jesus' divine origin, His actions, and the resulting proof of His divine authority.

John 5 36 Bonus section

The concept of "works" (Greek: ἔργα, erga) in John's Gospel is central. They are not merely supernatural feats but are redemptive acts that reveal God's character and God's plan. For example, the healing of the man at Bethesda and Jesus’ subsequent statements about His relationship with the Father, leading to this verse, illustrate this. This understanding aligns with Jesus' prayer in John 17:4: "I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do." His works are intrinsically linked to God's redemptive work in the world through Him. This emphasis on divine works as testimony is also present in the Old Testament, where God’s mighty acts in leading Israel out of Egypt served as a testimony of His power and faithfulness (e.g., Exodus 14).

John 5 36 Commentary

Jesus prioritizes His works as the supreme testimony to His divine mission, outranking even the witness of the divinely appointed John the Baptist. This is because the miraculous works flowing from Jesus are concrete manifestations of the Father's power and approval, demonstrating Jesus' intimate relationship and unity with the Father. They serve as irrefutable evidence, "even these very works bear witness of me," that Jesus is who He claims to be – the Son of God sent to fulfill His Father's purposes. This is a critical assertion in the face of opposition, as Jesus appeals to tangible evidence rather than mere assertions or prophecies.