John 5:31

John 5:31, in plain English

Jesus acknowledges that if He were the only one testifying about Himself, His testimony would not be enough. But He is about to show that He has plenty of witnesses.

Why it's here

Under Jewish law, you needed multiple witnesses to establish a case. Jesus is about to present the most powerful lineup of witnesses imaginable.

Who's speaking

Jesus begins building His case, playing by the legal rules His opponents respect, before presenting evidence they cannot refute.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus is not asking you to take His word for it blindly. He is about to present the evidence: the testimony of John, the works He performs, the Father Himself, and the Scriptures. The case is overwhelming.

The scholarly reading

Jesus acknowledges a legal principle: self-testimony (ean egō marturō peri emautou) is insufficient under Jewish law, which required two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). He will now present multiple witnesses to His identity.

Language and setting

This begins the 'trial' section of the discourse (vv.31-47), where Jesus presents His case using the categories of Jewish legal procedure, calling multiple witnesses to validate His claims.

Voice

Jesus concedes a legal point about the insufficiency of self-testimony, transitioning to the presentation of corroborating witnesses.

Significance

Jesus plays by the rules of Jewish evidence, acknowledging that His own claims about Himself require external verification. He is about to call a series of witnesses that will build an overwhelming case for His identity.

29and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

30I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

31If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.

32There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.

33You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.

Read all of John 5 — A man who has been an invalid for thirty-eight years is told to pick up his mat and walk. The Pharisees are more concerned about the day of the week.