John 5:36

John 5:36 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of John 5:36

34But the testimony I receive is not from man [a merely human witness]; but I say these things so that you may be saved [that is, have eternal life]. 35John was the lamp that kept on burning and shining [to show you the way], and you were willing for a while to rejoice in his light. But the testimony which I have is far greater than the testimony of John; for the works that the Father has given Me to finish—the very same works [that is, the miracles and proofs of My deity] that I am [now] doing—testify about Me, [by providing evidence] that the Father has sent Me. 37And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form [His majesty and greatness—what He is like]. 38You do not have His word (Scripture) abiding in you [actually living in your hearts and minds], because you do not believe in Him whom He has sent.

John 5:36 word by word

ἐγὼ δὲ ἔχω τὴν μαρτυρίαν μείζω τοῦ Ἰωάννου· τὰ γὰρ ἔργα ἃ δέδωκέν μοι ὁ πατὴρ ἵνα τελειώσω αὐτά, αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ποιῶ, μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ ὅτι ὁ πατήρ με ἀπέσταλκεν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• greaterμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• witnessμαρτυρίαmarturia · testimonyG3141
• thanἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• of JohnἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• the worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• hath givenδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• toἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• finishτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
• the sameαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• bear witnessμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• ofπερίperi · aboutG4012
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• hath sentἀποστέλλωapostellō · to sendG649

Cross-references for John 5:36

• John 5:32There is another [My Father] who testifies about Me, and I know [without any doubt] that His testimony on My behalf is true and valid.
• 1 John 5:9If we accept [as we do] the testimony of men [that is, if we are willing to take the sworn statements of fallible humans as evidence], the testimony of God is greater [far more authoritative]; for this is the testimony of God, that He has testified regarding His Son.
• John 3:2who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him.”
• John 9:30The man replied, “Well, this is astonishing! You do not know where He comes from, and yet He opened my eyes!
• John 10:25Jesus answered them, “I have told you so, yet you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me [they are My credentials and the evidence declaring who I am].
• John 11:37But some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the blind man’s eyes, have kept this man from dying?”
• John 14:10Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power].
• John 15:24If I had not done among them the works (attesting miracles) which no one else [ever] did, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now [the fact is that] they have both seen [these works] and have hated Me [and continue to hate Me] and My Father as well.
• John 17:4I have glorified You [down here] on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do.
• Acts 2:22“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and attested to you by God with [the power to perform] miracles and wonders and signs which God worked through Him in your [very] midst, just as you yourselves know—
• Matthew 11:4Jesus answered, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:

Commentaries on John 5:36

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 36But I have greater witness - However decisive the judgment of such a man as John may be, who was the lamp of Israel, a miracle of grace, filled with the spirit of Elijah, and more than any prophet, because he pointed out, not the Messiah who was to come, but the Messiah who was already come: nevertheless, I am not obliged to depend on his testimony alone; for I have a greater one, that of Him whom you acknowledge to be your God. And how do I prove that…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 36Greater witness - Stronger, more decisive evidence. 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” John…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 30-38Verses 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 Holy Ghost, thus made…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 36The third witness of Jesus was his teachings and miracles. These were signs that revealed his true identity and indicated that the Father sent him.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 36-3836-38. I have greater witness--rather, "The witness which I have is greater." the works ... bear witness of me--not simply as miracles nor even as a miracle of mercy, but these miracles, as He did them, with a will and a power, a majesty and a grace manifestly His own.Read the comment

Topics related to John 5:36

• God
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Miracles

In the dictionaries

• Folk
• Judgment
• Lest
• Light
• Miracle
• Step
• Trouble
• Troubling
• Witness
• Children of God

Commentaries on John 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings