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.
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.
- KJV 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.
- 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.
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 you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me.
- John 2:23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.
- John 15:24If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father.
- John 10:37–38If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me.
- John 9:30–33The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
- 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.
- John 3:2The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
- Matt 11:4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
- John 14:10–11Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.
- 1 Jn 5:11–12The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- Acts 2:22“Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know,
- John 3:17For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
- John 5:32It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.
- John 4:34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.
- John 11:37Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”
- John 17:4I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given 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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