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

34Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. 35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. 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. 37And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, 38nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He 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

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• testimonyμαρτυρίαmarturia · testimonyG3141
• more substantial thanμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• of JohnἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• thatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• has givenδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• ·ἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• to accomplishτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
• to accomplishαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• I am doingποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• testifyμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• aboutπερίperi · aboutG4012
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• has sentἀποστέλλωapostellō · to sendG649

Cross-references for John 5:36

• John 5:32There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.
• 1 John 5:9Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.
• John 3:2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”
• John 9:30“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.
• John 10:25“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.
• John 11:37But some of them asked, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus 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 speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.
• John 15:24If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.
• John 17:4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
• Acts 2:22Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
• Matthew 11:4Jesus replied, “Go back 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