‘Testimony’ is a legal term that refers to a formal statement or declaration of something that was seen or experienced by the one giving the testimony. In a court of law, a testimony is often given under oath which gives the presupposition that the testimony is indeed factual. The Gospel of John was written by the Apostle John in order to reveal who Jesus is. At the end of chapter five, John gives four testimony sources that gives credence to the fact that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.
The Testimony of John the Baptist. In verses 31-35 we read, “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.”[1] The passage at hand is in the context of Jesus’ explanation to the Jews who questioned Him concerning His healing of the disabled man at the pool of Bethseda. He already gave the argument of how He is one with the Father. Now, Jesus appeals to the testimony concerning Himself. Jesus states that if he bore witness of Himself, then His witness would not be true. It is difficult for one to provide a defense of himself. This is why when one applies for a job there are personal references that are required. There is a need for others to vouch for you. A testimony concerning yourself is based upon what others have seen and experienced in you. Jesus did not need to testify concerning Himself, for He had good references. The Teachers Commentary says, “But how do we know that the Father and Son are One? How can we be sure Jesus is able to provide the eternal life He promises? Jesus pointed His critics to the evidence.”[2] The first testimony that Jesus alludes to is the testimony of John the Baptist. John was appointed as the forerunner of Christ. He was the one whom God sent to prepare the way. John the Baptist was a shining light pointing people to the true Messiah. The New Bible Commentary says, “John the Baptist’s witness was valuable but inadequate (33–35). John’s witness certainly led some to Christ, but it was unthinkable that Jesus should need to rely on that witness. John’s own witness is compared to a lamp, but he himself was not the light, although he pointed to the light. The purpose of all witness is said to be that people might be saved, which is possible only through faith in Jesus (24).”[3] Nevertheless, the testimony of John the Baptist was helpful in identifying Jesus as the Savior of the world. The sermons that John the Baptist preached pointed to the One who was to come, Jesus Christ. So it should be with every sermon preached today. The goal of every sermon is to lead people to Jesus. A sermon in which Christ is not preached is empty and vain. A church that does not preach Christ alone is just an empty useless shell. Just as Jesus had the testimony of John the Baptist, we also need the testimony of others. When it comes to the proof of our faith, what do other people say about us? Are we living such a life that those who know us can testify that we are the real thing, that our faith is genuine?
The Testimony of Works. The works that Jesus did proved who He was. Verse 36 says, “But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.”[4] Jesus says that the works that He did served as a greater witness than John the Baptist. The fact that He turned the water into wine and healed the nobleman’s son and healed the disabled man gives evidence that He and the Father are one, for He possess all the power of the Godhead. For who else could perform such mighty miracles if not God Himself. The Apostle John records in his Gospel several ‘signs’ that point to who Jesus is. These ‘signs’ or miracles that Jesus performed gave proof to His Deity. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “Though John the Baptist was a great voice for God, he did not do any miracles (10:41). The “signs” were specific works which God had assigned for the Son to do. These miracles were predicted in the Old Testament (Isa. 35:5–6). Jesus’ work was a clear manifestation that God was with Him and that He worked through Him.”[5] Though the Bible is clear that we are not saved by works; it is imperative to point out that our works do indeed provide evidence of genuine faith. Therefore, the works that we do provide evidence that we are truly saved. It is also needful to understand that it is not the nature of our works themselves, but rather, the quality and motive of our works. Do we do what we do for recognition or for personal advancement or do we do what we do for the glory of God and for His Kingdom? God is not necessarily interested in our abilities or credentials; he is interested in our hearts. Where is our heart? What are we passionate about? What motivates us? These are things that defines good works. It is by these works of love and with the right heart and attitude that our testimony is sure and our lives point others to Jesus.
The Testimony of the Father. The most powerful and most certain testimony concerning Jesus is the testimony of God the Father. Verses 37-38 says, “And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.”[6] There are several times when God the Father testified directly who Jesus is. One was at His baptism when the Father spoke from Heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Another time was at the transfiguration and at the triumphal entry. However, I believe that Jesus was speaking more of the knowledge that God has put within our hearts. As the Bible Knowledge Commentary points out, “Most likely Jesus was referring to the inner work of God in which He impresses on people’s consciences that Jesus is the Truth.”[7] Romans chapter one speaks of how the knowledge of God has been written on our hearts. For those who have believed on the Lord Jesus, Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”[8] What a wonderful truth! That God the Father testifies of our salvation as the Holy Spirit bears witness within us that we belong to Him!
The Testimony of the Scriptures. Verses 39-47 reads, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”[9] Proof is also given for Jesus being one with the Father in the scriptures themselves. Jesus plainly states that the scriptures testifies of Him. Warren Wiersbe writes, “The Jewish people highly revered the written Word of God, particularly the Law that was given through Moses. Moses heard God’s voice and saw God’s glory; but we have that same voice and glory in the inspired Word of God (see 2 Peter 1:12–21). The Old Testament Scriptures bear witness to Jesus Christ, yet the people who received and preserved that Word were blind to their own Messiah.”[10] It is one thing to know the scriptures, it is another thing to know the God of the Bible. “The Jewish scribes sought to know the Word of God, but they did not know the God of the Word! They counted the very letters of the text, but they missed the spiritual truths that the text contained.”[11] Just as the scriptures testifies who Jesus is, so also the scriptures testifies of our faith. That testimony is found in the promises of God’s Word. The promise that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” and the promise that we are “sealed by the Holy Spirit” testifies of our faith in God. As believers in Christ our identity is not found in our earthly name. Our identity is found in what the Word of God says about us. We are adopted into the family of God. We belong to Jesus. We are children of the Father. We are citizens of the Kingdom. As a Christian, don’t look to what the world says about you, look to the Word of God for this is your testimony.
Jesus did not need to testify concerning Himself. The evidence for who He is was found in the testimony of John the Baptist, the testimony of His works, the testimony of the Father, and the testimony of the scriptures. We too have a testimony. If we are living for the Lord and walking with Him daily we do not need to testify concerning ourselves, for it will be obvious who we are. Think about it. Who testifies about you? What do they say? Does your testimony point others to Jesus?
[1] The New King James Version (Jn 5:31–35). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (p. 722). Victor Books.
[3] Guthrie, D. (1994). John. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1037). Inter-Varsity Press.
[4] The New King James Version (Jn 5:36). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 292). Victor Books.
[6] The New King James Version (Jn 5:37–38). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[7] Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 292). Victor Books.
[8] The New King James Version (Ro 8:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[9] The New King James Version (Jn 5:39–47). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 308). Victor Books.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 308). Victor Books.
Pastor Chris Noland 