But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Parallel translations
- WEB But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.
- BSB But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
- NKJV 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.
- NASB But the testimony I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.
- NLT But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.
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 has a greater witness than John: the works the Father gave him to accomplish. His miracles testify that the Father sent him.
Overview
Jesus appeals to his works, the signs given by the Father, as testimony greater than John's. These works reveal his divine commission and identity. The miracles are not mere wonders but evidence that Jesus is the Son sent by the Father.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- John 10:25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
- John 2:23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
- John 15:24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
- John 10:37–38If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
- John 9:30–33The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
- 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.
- John 3:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
- Matt 11:4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
- John 14:10–11Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
- 1 Jn 5:11–12And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- Acts 2:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
- John 3:17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
- John 5:32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
- John 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
- John 11:37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
- John 17:4I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
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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 5:36 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
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