Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.
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.
- BSB Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may 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 quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
- 1 Jn 5:9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.
- Luke 19:41–42When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it,
- John 20:31but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
- 1 Tim 2:3–4For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
- 1 Cor 9:22To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
- John 5:41I don’t receive glory from men.
- Rom 10:1Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved.
- John 8:54Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.
- Luke 24:47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
- Rom 3:3For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God?
- Luke 19:10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
- Rom 10:21But as to Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
- Rom 12:21Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Luke 13:34“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused!
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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.