John 5:32
What does John 5:32 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:32 means
Jesus says, “It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.” He points beyond Himself to corroboration. Ultimately, the “another” is the Father, whose testimony comes through many channels—prophetic forerunners, miraculous works, and Scripture. Jesus expresses certainty about this witness’s truthfulness. The issue is not whether reliable testimony exists, but whether the hearers will receive it. In legal and spiritual terms, God has spoken about the Son. This verse transitions the discourse from principle to particulars, preparing the audience to hear of John, the works, the Father’s voice, and the Scriptures as converging attestations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
KJV
King James Version · 1611There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949There is another who gives witness about me and I am certain that the witness he gives about me is true.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862another there is who is testifying concerning me, and I have known that the testimony that he doth testify concerning me is true;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752There is another that beareth witness of me: and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890It is another who bears witness concerning me, and I know that the witness which he bears concerning me is true.
Context
After asserting the need for corroboration (verse 31), Jesus affirms that there is indeed “another” who bears true witness about Him. The following verses unpack this: the leadership sent to John and heard his testimony (verses 33–35), but Jesus’ works provide a greater witness (verse 36), and the Father Himself has borne witness (verse 37). Finally, the Scriptures, which they diligently search, testify of Him (verses 39–47). This developing chain of testimony both answers skepticism and indicts unbelief. The discourse moves from abstract claim to concrete evidences, mirroring the Gospel’s broader theme of signs and witnesses to Jesus’ identity as the One sent by the Father.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 5:36
But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
- John 1:33
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.
- Matthew 17:5
While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
- Matthew 3:17
and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- John 12:28
Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
- 1 John 5:6
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.
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