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

34Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. 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. 37And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.

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 5:32But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true.
• 1 John 5:9Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son.
• John 3:2After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
• John 9:30“Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from?
• John 10:25Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name.
• John 11:37But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
• John 14:10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.
• John 15:24If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father.
• John 17:4I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
• Acts 2:22“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.
• Matthew 11:4Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—

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