Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:34
But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
I receive not testimony from men – I do not depend for proof of my Messiahship on the testimony of men, nor do I pride myself on the commendations or flattery of men.
But these things … – This testimony of John I adduce that you might be convinced. It was evidence of your own seeking. It was clear, full, explicited You sent to make inquiry, and he gave you a candid and satisfactory answer. Had you believed that, you would have believed in the Messiah and been saved. Men are often dissatisfied with the very evidence of the truth of religion which they sought, and on which they professed themselves willing to rely.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 34. But I receive not testimony from man [only.] I have no need of John’s testimony: the works that I do bear sufficient testimony to me, Joh 5:36.
But these things I say, c.] You believed John to be a prophet – a prophet cannot lie: he bore testimony that I am the Lamb of God, that beareth away the sin of the world, Joh 1:29 therefore, that ye may be saved by believing in me as such, I have appealed to John’s testimony.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I receive not testimony from man, that is, not for my own sake; for otherwise he did receive testimony from man, Joh 15:27; Act 1:8. That must be truth, to which any one can give a true testimony. John by his testimony added nothing to me. I was what I am before John testified concerning me. I only spake of Johns testimony for your sake, that you might believe, and be saved.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But I receive not testimony from man,…. He stood in no need of an human testimony, nor did he rest the truth of his deity and divine sonship thereon: he had other and greater testimonies to produce; as he needed not that any man should testify of man to him, he had no need that any man should testify of him; and if the testimony of men was received, as this of John could not well be objected to, the testimony of God is greater, and which he had; and therefore should not have mentioned John’s for his own sake:
but these things I say, that ye might be saved; that is, he produced this testimony of John, who was a person of so great a character among them, that they might be induced by it to believe in him as the Messiah; and so be saved from that ruin and destruction, that would come upon their nation, city, and temple, for their rejection and disbelief of him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But the witness which I receive ( ). “But I do not receive the witness” simply from a man (like John). The (I) in sharp contrast with (ye) of verse 33. Jesus complained of Nicodemus for not accepting his witness (3:11). Cf. also 3:32. In 1Jo 5:9 the witness of God is greater than that of men and this Jesus has.
That ye may be saved ( ). Final clause with and first aorist passive subjunctive of . This was the purpose of Christ’s coming, that the world might be saved (3:17).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
But I [ ] . Emphatic, in contrast with ye (ver. 33).
Receive [] . See on 3 32.
Testimony [ ] . Rev., properly the witness. The restoration of the article is important. It has the force of my, marking the witness as characteristic of Christ ‘s work. The only testimony which I accept as proof.
From man. Or from a man, with a primary reference to the Baptist. Rev. renders, the witness which I receive is not from man.
These things. With reference to the Baptist.
Ye may be saved. The ye [] , marking them as those who might be influenced by the inferior, human testimony; though they did not apprehend the divine testimony.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But I receive not testimony from man:” (ego de ou para anthropou ten marturian lambano) “Yet I do not receive the testimony of man,” of a human being only, is the idea, though the testimony of John was humble and true, Joh 1:4-8; Joh 1:27; and though he had witnessed that Jesus was the True Light, The Lamb of God, The Son of God, and The Bridegroom of the church, Joh 1:9; Joh 1:18; Joh 1:29; Joh 3:28-30.
2) “But these things I say,” (alla tauta lego) “But these things I say, tell you all,” I witness, certify, of John, are true and what he witnessed of me is true, real, genuine, accurate, Joh 10:41-42. This is to meet you on your own ground of requiring testimony of two or more reputable witnesses.
3) “That ye might be saved.” (hina humeis sothete)”In order that you maybe saved,” for that is why He came into the world, Luk 19:10; Joh 3:17; Joh 20:31; Rom 1:16; Rom 3:3; Eph 2:8-9.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
34. I receive not testimony from men. Yet it was not in vain that God chose Christ to be a witness to him, and Christ himself declares, on another occasion, that the disciples
will be his witnesses. You shall be witnesses to me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth, (Act 1:8.)
I reply, Christ avails himself of the testimony of John, not because he needs it, but so far as it is advantageous to us to receive from it some confirmation. Men borrow testimony from one another, because they cannot dispense with that assistance. The case is different with God and Christ. For if philosophers assert that virtue has no need of foreign aid, what has man in himself to lend support to the truth of God? And Christ immediately adds, that he produces the testimony of John on their account: these things I say that you may be saved. By this statement he means that it is not so much from a regard to himself as from a desire to promote the advantage of men, that he raises up the heralds of his Gospel by whom he testifies to us concerning his will. In this we see also a striking proof of his wonderful goodness, by which he regulates all things for our salvation. It is therefore our duty, on the other hand, to strive that the great care which he bestows in saving us may not be fruitless.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(34) But I receive not testimony . . .There is no reason for changing the word. The substantive, and verbs from Joh. 5:31, have been rendered by witness, and it is better to keep it here. The English also fails to give the article, and is therefore misleading. He did receive witness from menhad received witness from Johnbut this was not the witness upon which all was based. Its purpose was to lead them to Christ Himself, and He now refers to it, to show them its true position, that that purpose might be fulfilled.
But these things I say, that ye might be saved.The emphasis of the clause should be placed upon the pronoun ye. The thought is, that our Lord does not refer to Johns witness for His own sake, but in order that they might be saved. He had a greater witness than that of John, but this they were not yet prepared to receive. They had received John for a season, and had rejoiced in his light. He refers to him now that that light may lead them to the true Source of Light. Some of those who had sent to the Baptist may now understand his words in a deeper sense than any which had come to them before, and may find in them words leading to salvation.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
34. From man John’s testimony as John’s, as a mere man, even though accepted and conceded by you, I do not receive. It is only God’s testimony through him, and not any mere human honour, that I can accept.
Ye might be saved It is not a matter of man’s esteem, but of their own salvation.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Joh 5:34. But I receive not testimony from man: “I stand in no need of the testimony of John, or of any other man; nor do I seek after such kind of evidence with any anxiety. But I say these things to you, on your own principles, out of a tender and passionate concern for your conviction; that you who are now conspiring against my life, may be saved from that destruction which he foretold, as the portion of those who should reject me, and which the greatest of them shall not be able to escape.” See Mat 3:10.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
Ver. 34. That ye might be saved ] This was that which he sought in all his oracles and miracles. Salvation properly notes the privative part of our happiness; because it is easier to tell from what we are saved than to what.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
34. ] ‘ I take not my testimony (the testimony to Me of which I have spoken) from man, but I mention John’s testimony that you may make the intended use of it, to be led to Me for salvation.’
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 5:34 . but for my part I do not depend upon a man’s testimony. In what sense is this to be taken? In Joh 3:11 means “to credit testimony,” but this sense does not satisfy the present use. Grotius says, “Hic est requiro , ut infra 41, 44, ubi in opposito membro ponitur ut idem valens”. So too Lcke. Godet and Westcott prefer to emphasise the article, “ the testimony,” “the only real, infallible, unexceptionable testimony,” I do not accept from man. The sense is: You sent to John and he testified to the truth; but the testimony which! for my part accept and rely upon is not that of a man. The testimony which confirms Him in the consciousness that He is God’s messenger is not a human but a Divine testimony. but this I say, that is, this regarding the truth of John’s testimony I now mention , for your sakes, not for my own, that even on a man’s testimony you may be induced to believe.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
from. Greek. para. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
34.] I take not my testimony (the testimony to Me of which I have spoken) from man, but I mention Johns testimony that you may make the intended use of it, to be led to Me for salvation.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 5:34. , from man) even though it be John. [The matter is not to be referred to man, as the ultimate arbiter. Whatever I am, I am so, independently of the favour of human authority.-V. g.]- , testimony) doing Me honour (comp. Joh 5:41, I receive not honour from men), in regard to you.-, these things) concerning John.-, that) His earnest will regarding the salvation of men is hereby expressed.-, ye) who made so much of John. In antithesis to, I; it is your own interest which is at stake.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 5:34
Joh 5:34
But the witness which I receive is not from man:-While he presents John as a witness in whom they believed, who bore testimony for him, Jesus referred to God as witnessing in behalf of Jesus.
howbeit I say these things, that ye may be saved.-He refers to these witnesses that they might believe in Jesus and be saved.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
saved
(See Scofield “Rom 1:16”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
I receive: Joh 5:41, Joh 8:54
that: Joh 20:31, Luk 13:34, Luk 19:10, Luk 19:41, Luk 19:42, Luk 24:47, Rom 3:3, Rom 10:1, Rom 10:21, Rom 12:21, 1Co 9:22, 1Ti 2:3, 1Ti 2:4, 1Ti 4:16
Reciprocal: Pro 29:10 – but Joh 12:30 – but Act 26:29 – that not 2Th 2:10 – that they 2Ti 2:25 – instructing
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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I receive not testimony from man. This denotes that Jesus did not depend on human testimony for his authority. That ye might be saved. The standing of Jesus did not depend upon human testimony. However, the salvation of men does depend on their faith, and Jesus was willing to cite them to any truth that would strengthen their faith. The corroborating testimony of John was a help in that direction.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 5:34. But not from a man do I receive the witness. Great as was the witness of this greatest of prophets, yet John was only a man, and his witness therefore is not the real testimony to Jesus; it is a higher which is given Him, and which He receives (comp. Joh 5:36). Hence the definite article before witness.
Howbeit these things I say that ye may be saved. Insufficient as was Johns testimony for the production of faith in its deepest and truest sense, yet Jesus had referred to it, recognising its value as part of the Divine arrangements for leading men to Himself. It ought to have brought them to Jesus: and then, as they listened to His own word, the true and complete witness would have been given. The following words set forth more fully the true position of the Baptist, in his value and in his imperfection.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
However, Jesus did not need and did not accept human testimony to establish His identity in His own mind. All the witness He needed was the Father’s. He only mentioned John the Baptist’s witness to establish His identity in His hearers’ minds that they might believe on Him and obtain salvation.