Devine Scripture

John 5:36

What does John 5:36 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:36 means

Jesus claims a witness greater than John’s: the works the Father gave Him to accomplish. These works—signs and deeds of mercy—authenticate His mission. They are not random displays but commissioned tasks that He fulfills. The very works He does bear witness that the Father sent Him. This elevates the argument from respected prophet to visible divine activity. If one sees the paralyzed walk at the Son’s word, one should conclude that God is at work through Him. The works and the Word agree: both reveal the Sender and the Sent One. Rejecting such testimony exposes a deeper refusal of God’s purpose.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: the work which the Father has given me to do, the very work which I am now doing, is a witness that the Father has sent me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`But I have the testimony greater than John's, for the works that the Father gave me, that I might finish them, the works themselves that I do, they testify concerning me, that the Father hath sent me.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I have a greater testimony than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to perfect, the works themselves which I do, give testimony of me, that the Father hath sent me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I have the witness [that is] greater than [that] of John; for the works which the Father has given me that I should complete them, the works themselves which I do, bear witness concerning me that the Father has sent me.

Context

After speaking of John’s witness (verses 33–35), Jesus points to a superior testimony: His works given by the Father. This connects back to the healing that provoked the controversy and forward to the many signs recorded in John. Verse 37 will rise still higher, invoking the Father’s own witness, followed by verses 39–47 on the Scriptures’ testimony. The sequence shows cumulative evidence. In the flow of the chapter, this claim also justifies His Sabbath action as a God-given work. The leaders’ opposition thus stands against not only a prophet’s word but against God’s deeds manifest through the Son.

v.35He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.

v.36This passage

v.37And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.

Cross references

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

  • John 2:23

    Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.

  • John 11:37

    But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die?

  • Matthew 11:4

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see:

  • 1 John 5:9

    If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.

  • John 3:17

    For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

  • 1 John 5:11

    And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

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