Devine Scripture

John 19:35

What does John 19:35 mean?

A plain-English look at John 19:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 19:35 means

The Apostle John, the eyewitness to these events, emphatically testifies to their truth. He states that his witness is reliable and that he knows he speaks the truth. His purpose in recording these precise details, including the outflow of blood and water, is so that his readers, too, may believe. This verse underscores the historical accuracy and theological importance of the events surrounding Jesus' death, intended to build faith in Christ as the Son of God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he who saw it has given witness (and his witness is true; he is certain that what he says is true) so that you may have belief.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he who hath seen hath testified, and his testimony is true, and that one hath known that true things he speaketh, that ye also may believe.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he that saw it hath given testimony: and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true: that you also may believe.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he who saw it bears witness, and his witness is true, and he knows that he says true that ye also may believe.

Context

This verse serves as a parenthetical affirmation by the Apostle John, an eyewitness, regarding the truthfulness of the events he has just described, particularly the piercing of Jesus' side and the outflow of blood and water. This personal testimony reinforces the historical reliability of his account and sets the stage for the explicit declaration of how these events fulfill Old Testament prophecies, further strengthening the case for belief.

v.34howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.

v.35This passage

v.36For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 17:20

    Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word;

  • 1 John 5:13

    These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

  • 1 John 1:1

    That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life

  • Hebrews 2:3

    how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;

  • John 11:42

    And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the multitude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me.

  • 1 Peter 5:1

    The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

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