If I testify about MyselfIn the context of Jewish law, a single testimony was not considered sufficient to establish a matter.
Deuteronomy 19:15 states that a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Jesus acknowledges this principle, emphasizing the importance of corroborating evidence. This reflects the broader biblical theme of truth being established by multiple witnesses, as seen in both Old and New Testament passages.
My testimony is not valid
Here, Jesus is not suggesting that His testimony is false, but rather that according to Jewish legal standards, a self-testimony alone would not be accepted as valid. This statement sets the stage for Jesus to introduce other witnesses to His identity and mission, such as John the Baptist, His works, the Father, and the Scriptures. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God often provides multiple confirmations of His truth, as seen in the prophetic tradition and the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the issue of His testimony and the validation of His claims.
2.
Jewish LeadersAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the audience Jesus is addressing in this discourse, questioning His authority and testimony.
3.
JerusalemThe setting of this discourse, where Jesus often engaged with religious leaders and the public.
4.
WitnessesThe concept of witnesses is crucial in this passage, as Jesus refers to the need for external validation of His claims.
5.
Mosaic LawThe backdrop of this discussion, which required two or three witnesses to establish a matter (
Deuteronomy 19:15).
Teaching Points
The Importance of Valid TestimonyJesus acknowledges the need for His testimony to be validated by others, aligning with the Jewish legal system. This teaches us the importance of accountability and external validation in our own lives.
Divine WitnessJesus' testimony is ultimately validated by God the Father. This reminds us to seek God's affirmation in our lives and decisions.
The Role of ScriptureThe Bible serves as a witness to Jesus' identity and mission. We should immerse ourselves in Scripture to understand and validate our faith.
Community and AccountabilityJust as Jesus' testimony required witnesses, we too should live in community, where our actions and beliefs are supported and challenged by others.
Faith and ReasonWhile faith is essential, Jesus' approach shows that reason and evidence also play a role in understanding and validating truth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 5:31?
2.How does John 5:31 emphasize the importance of credible testimony about Jesus?
3.What role does witness testimony play in affirming Jesus' divine authority in John 5?
4.How can we apply the principle of seeking truth from reliable sources today?
5.What other scriptures highlight the necessity of multiple witnesses for validation?
6.How can we discern trustworthy testimonies about Jesus in our modern context?
7.How does John 5:31 challenge the concept of self-testimony in Christian theology?
8.Why is external validation important in the context of John 5:31?
9.What historical evidence supports the claims made in John 5:31?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 5?
11.What is the concept of the Fourfold Witness?
12.John 8:14–18: How do Jesus’s statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?
13.In the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness in John 5:31 and John 8:14?
14.John 21:24-25 - Why does this chapter appear like an addendum compared to the rest of John's Gospel, and does its different tone cast doubt on its authenticity?What Does John 5:31 Mean
If I testify- Jesus begins with a conditional “If,” inviting His listeners to think through the legal standard for proof (Deuteronomy 19:15;Matthew 18:16).
- By raising the possibility of a solitary witness, He meets His critics on their own terms; they demanded corroboration (John 5:33).
- He affirms the principle that truth is established by reliable testimony, not mere self-assertion, even though He Himself is “the way and the truth” (John 14:6).
about Myself- The focus shifts to Jesus’ identity. The religious leaders question His authority because they refuse to see Him as the Son sent by the Father (John 5:19–23).
- Earlier He healed the lame man and claimed equality with God, so His self-disclosure is under scrutiny (John 5:17–18).
- In responding, Jesus points beyond personal claim to the broader witness of John the Baptist (John 5:33–35), His own works (John 5:36), the Father’s voice (John 5:37), and the Scriptures themselves (John 5:39).
- This shows that while He can speak for Himself, He graciously offers multiple confirmations for those willing to listen (Isaiah 42:6-7;Acts 10:38).
My testimony is not valid- “Not valid” refers to legal admissibility, not to truthfulness. His words are always true (Titus 1:2), yet the law required two or three witnesses for public credibility (Numbers 35:30;2 Corinthians 13:1).
- Jesus honors that law even while fulfilling it. He underscores that objective, external testimony supports who He is.
- Immediately after verse 31 He supplies that testimony:
• The Father’s endorsement at His baptism and through ongoing works (Matthew 3:17;John 5:36).
• John the Baptist’s prophetic witness (John 1:6-8, 29-34).
• Scripture’s prophetic revelation pointing to Messiah (Psalm 40:7-8;Luke 24:44).
- By coupling divine self-revelation with corroborating evidence, He removes every excuse for unbelief (John 15:22-24;1 John 5:9-12).
summaryJesus respects the legal requirement for multiple witnesses, not because He lacks truth, but to show His critics that every standard they appeal to affirms Him. His words, His works, the Father’s voice, John the Baptist, and the Scriptures all unite to confirm that He is the Son of God. Verse 31 therefore highlights both His humility in submitting to God’s law and His confidence that all genuine testimony ultimately validates Him. Believe the witnesses, and you will believe the One they point to.
(31)
If I bear witness of myself.--This verse is the link between the thoughts of Christ's person (
John 5:17-30) and the witness to Him (
John 5:32-40). He can do nothing of Himself (
John 5:30), and does not even bear witness of Himself. If He did, it would be on technical grounds not to be credited. He meets the objection then doubtless in their minds, and soon expressed in their words. (Comp. Notes on
John 8:13-18.)
Verse 31. - At this point the Lord proceeds to meet the clamour which most probably arose, the doubt and questioning which broke the silence with which his solemn defence had been received. We can hear between the lines the cries of an excited crowd, declaring that these words are simply his own. Such testimony as this to himself must be sustained and sanctioned. Why and how can this Teacher take such ground as to assert about himself what no prophet, no rabbi, no chief priest of the people, not even the greatest man of men, Moses himself, had ever dared to claim? Christ admits that such assumptions as these need justification and approval over and above his
ipse dixit. The words that follow are startling:
If I bear witness concerning myself, my witness is not true. At first sight this is in direct contradiction to
John 8:14, where, in reply to the Pharisees' "Thou bearest witness concerning thyself; thy witness is nor true," he replied, "
Though I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; because I know whence I came, and whither I go." The absolute unison with the Father, which he was not only conscious of, but had also revealed to the Pharisees, lifted his own word to the grandeur of a word of God. The Divine beamed through the human, the infinite through the finite. Here he says, "
If I bear - if I and I alone were bearing
witness to myself," then - supposing a case, which, as a matter of fact, is impossible - "
mywitness is not true." If he were acting alone, which is an inconceivable supposition, seeing that in the depths of his consciousness he knew that he was one with the Father, then for his human nature to break away thus from the Father and disdain his testimony would nullify and falsify his witness. He is not bearing witness alone.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
IfἘὰν(Ean)Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.Iἐγὼ(egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.testifyμαρτυρῶ(martyrō)Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3140:To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.aboutπερὶ(peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.Myself,ἐμαυτοῦ(emautou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1683:Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.Myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.testimonyμαρτυρία(martyria)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3141:Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given.isἔστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.notοὐκ(ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.valid.ἀληθής(alēthēs)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 227:Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE.
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NT Gospels: John 5:31 If I testify about myself my witness (Jhn Jo Jn) 
