The Testimony of Jesus Is Always True
John 5:31-32 [1]
31 ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favour, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
The Jewish leaders began to persecute Jesus because they thought He was breaking the Sabbath law (John 5:16). Jesus started his defence from John 5:17 till John 5:30.
Today let us study why the testimony of Jesus is always true.
I. The Legal Requirements to Establish a Matter
See v31.
31 ‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.
Jesus is giving the presuppositions in the case [2]. V31 means that His testimony is not true if Jesus is alone testifying about Himself. It is because the Law requires not one but two or three witnesses to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15, Deuteronomy 17:6, Numbers 35:30). See Deuteronomy 19:15.
15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offence they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
The principle in Deuteronomy 19:15 was applied by Jesus in Matthew 18:17 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1 [2].
Matthew 18:17
16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that “every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
1 Corinthians 13:1
This will be my third visit to you. ‘Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
II. The Witnesses Who Testify for Jesus
See v32.
32 There is another who testifies in my favour, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
Here, ‘another who testifies in His favour’ is Baptist John (John 5:33-35), the works that the Father has given Jesus to finish (John 5:36, John 10:25, 37-38), the Father (John 5:37-38), or the Scriptures (John 5:39). Each of these witnesses testifies about Jesus. Jesus (a witness for Himself) knows another witness’s testimony about Himself is true. Therefore, Jesus Himself and any one of the other witnesses can establish Jesus’ testimony as being true.
Later, on another occasion, the Pharisees challenged Jesus, saying ‘Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.’ (John 8:13).
The Father is not visible to them (Refer to John 8:14c-15). Even if Jesus testifies on His own behalf apparently alone, His testimony is valid (John 8:14). Jesus is not alone but stands with the Father (John 8:16), who is His other witness (John 8:18b), who sent Him (John 8:18c. Refer to John 8:14b).
References
- The Holy Bible: New International Version. Anglicised. Revised and updated. ed. 2011: London: Hodder & Stoughton.
- Borchert, G.L., The New American Commentary: John 1-11. 1996: Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
