The Light of the World
Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. John 8:17 · Berean Standard Bible
Jesus uses their own law against them: You say two witnesses are needed for valid testimony? Good. I have two.
The Pharisees thought the two-witness rule would disqualify Jesus. Instead, He is about to use it to prove His point.
Jesus cites their legal standard and prepares to meet it on His own terms.
Jesus is brilliant in debate. He takes their strongest objection and transforms it into His greatest proof. Watch how He does it.
Jesus cites their own Law (en tō nomō tō humeterō): the testimony of two men (duo anthrōpōn) is valid, referencing Deuteronomy 19:15, setting up His two-witness argument.
By saying your Law rather than our Law, Jesus may be distancing Himself from their interpretation while acknowledging the authority of the Torah. The two-witness principle becomes His proof rather than His weakness.
Jesus turns the Pharisees' own legal standard into a platform for His argument, citing the two-witness requirement from the Torah.
Jesus takes the very objection they raised and turns it into His argument. You want two witnesses? I will give you two. The legal standard they invoked is about to vindicate Him.
15You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
16But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me.
17Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
18I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me.”
19“Where is Your Father?” they asked Him.
Read all of John 8 — A woman caught in adultery, a claim to be the light of the world, and a statement so audacious the crowd picks up stones: before Abraham was, I am.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad