But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might 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.
- 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 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 4:16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
- 1 Jn 5:9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
- Luke 19:41–42And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
- John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
- 1 Tim 2:3–4For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
- 1 Cor 9:22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
- John 5:41I receive not honour from men.
- Rom 10:1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
- John 8:54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
- Luke 24:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
- Rom 3:3For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
- Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
- Rom 10:21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
- Rom 12:21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Luke 13:34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
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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.