John 8:17
What does John 8:17 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:17 means
Jesus cites their Law: the testimony of two men is true. He meets them on familiar ground, not because He needs validation, but to expose their inconsistency. The Law sought to prevent falsehood through corroboration. Jesus will show that in His case, the requirement is more than met. By invoking the Law, He honors it and uses it to point beyond itself—to the Father’s witness about the Son. The standard they wield against Him becomes a doorway to recognize Him. Scripture, properly read, does not confine Christ but confirms Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true.
KJV
King James Version · 1611It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even in your law it is said that the witness of two men is true.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and also in your law it hath been written, that the testimony of two men are true;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And in your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And in your law too it is written that the testimony of two men is true:
Context
This legal citation serves as a bridge between Jesus’ claim to true judgment with the Father and His explicit naming of the two witnesses in the next verse. The Pharisees have challenged His self-witness; Jesus answers by appealing to the very principle they prize. The context highlights the irony: those who boast in the Law fail to see how it supports Jesus. The next verse will declare that He Himself and the Father bear witness, pressing the question of whether they truly know God at all.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established.
- 1 Kings 21:10
and set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst curse God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him to death.
- John 10:34
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
- Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.
- Deuteronomy 17:6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
- Hebrews 10:28
A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:
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