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Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved.
John 5:34 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.
  • KJV But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
  • NKJV Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.
  • NASB But the testimony I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.
  • NLT Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Jesus does not depend on human testimony but mentions it for their salvation. His concern is that they be saved.

Overview

Though Jesus needs no human endorsement, he appeals to John's witness out of love, that his hearers might believe and be saved. This reveals the gracious purpose behind his arguments. Even in confrontation, Jesus seeks the salvation of those who oppose him.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 15

  • 1 Tim 4:16Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
  • 1 Jn 5:9Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.
  • Luke 19:41–42As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
  • John 20:31But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
  • 1 Tim 2:3–4This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
  • 1 Cor 9:22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
  • John 5:41I do not accept glory from men,
  • Rom 10:1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.
  • John 8:54Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’
  • Luke 24:47and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
  • Rom 3:3What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
  • Luke 19:10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
  • Rom 10:21But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
  • Rom 12:21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
  • Luke 13:34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (1)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — John videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on John 5:34YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on JohnMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.

How John 5:34 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.