John 5:36
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 in other translations
| BSB | But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. |
|---|---|
| WEB | But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. |
| ASV | But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. |
| YLT | ‘But I have the testimony greater than John's, for the works that the Father gave me, that I might finish them, the works themselves that I do, they testify concerning me, that the Father hath sent me. |
| DARBY | But I have the witness that is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me that I should complete them, the works themselves which I do, bear witness concerning me that the Father has sent me. |
| BBE | But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: the work which the Father has given me to do, the very work which I am now doing, is a witness that the Father has sent me. |
| Webster | But I have greater testimony than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear testimony concerning me, that the Father hath sent me. |
What does John 5:36 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 5:36-38
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
The works. The miracles--healing the sick and raising the dead.
Hath given me. Hath committed to me, or appointed me to do. Certain things he intrusted in his hands to accomplish.
To finish. To do or to perform until the task is completed. the word is applied to the termination of anything, as we say a task is ended or a work is completed. So Jesus said, when he expired, It is "finished," Jn 19:30. From this it appears that Jesus came to accomplish a certain work; and hence we see the reason why he so often guarded his life and sought his safety until the task was fully completed. These works or miracles bore witness of him; that is, they showed that he was sent from god, because none but God could perform them, and because God would not give such power to any whose life and doctrines he did not approve. They were more decisive proof than the testimony of John, because,
1st. John worked no miracles Jn 10:41
2nd. It was possible that a man might be deceived or be an imposter. It was not possible for God to deceive.
3rd. The miracles which Jesus wrought were such as no man could work, and no angel. He that could raise the dead must have all power, and he who commissioned Jesus, therefore, must be God.
(i) "the works" Jn 10:25, 15:24, Acts 2:22 (k) "the Father" Mt 3:17, 17:5
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 5:30-38
Our Lord returns to his declaration of the entire agreement between the Father and the Son, and declared himself the Son of God. He had higher testimony than that of John; his works bore witness to all he had said. But the Divine word had no abiding-place in their hearts, as they refused to believe in Him whom the Father had sent, according to his ancient promises. The voice of God, accompanied by the power of the…
John 5:36 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for John 5:36
- John 10:25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
- John 15:24
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
- John 2:23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
- John 10:37-38
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
- 1 John 5:9
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
- John 9:30-33
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
- John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
- Acts 2:22
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
- John 14:10-11
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
- 1 John 5:11-12
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
- Matthew 11:4
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
- John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- John 5:35
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
- John 5:36
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 5:37
And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
John 5:36 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mas yo tengo mayor testimonio que el de Juan: porque las obras que el Padre me dió que cumpliese, las mismas obras que yo hago, dan testimonio de mí, que el Padre me haya enviado. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | mais moi, j’ai un témoignage plus grand que celui de Jean; car les œuvres que le Père m’a données pour les accomplir, ces œuvres mêmes que je fais rendent témoignage de moi, que le Père m’a envoyé. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ich aber habe das Zeugnis, das größer ist als das des Johannes; denn die Werke, welche der Vater mir gegeben hat, auf daß ich sie vollbringe, die Werke selbst, die ich tue, zeugen von mir, daß der Vater mich gesandt hat. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Ego autem habeo testimonium majus Joanne. Opera enim quæ dedit mihi Pater ut perficiam ea: ipsa opera, quæ ego facio, testimonium perhibent de me, quia Pater misit me: |