All About Jesus

Since the Jewish law required the testimony of two or three witnesses to prove that someone was telling the truth, Jesus reminds them that they should not accept His claims without the testimony of others. Then Jesus proceeded to give them four witnesses.

You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. (NASB) John 5:33-35

Here we discover that the religious leaders had heard John the Baptist testify about Jesus. It is obvious that the religious leaders did not like what they heard and therefore refused to believe. Jesus was reminding them that John had spoken these words because He wanted to be saved from an eternal death. Jesus did not come to punish us. He came to rescue them and us from spiritual death. But there is a simple requirement - we must believe Him.

In the Jewish culture there was a custom of calling a highly regarded, highly spiritual man a “light” or “lamp.” It was a great compliment. So, Jesus uses the same term - “lamp” - to refer to John the Baptist. John was a great spiritual voice, and apparently the Pharisees had agreed that this was true, at least for a while. John had told them about Jesus.

But the testimony which 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. (NASB) John 5:36

John 10:25; 20:30-31; and Acts 2:22 remind us that His works were proofs of Jesus’ deity. There is no doubt as to the meaning of Jesus’ words. Jesus’ works were the proof that He came from heaven. We read later in John these words,

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. (NASB) John 10:25

Jesus did more than just heal people and raise the dead. In future studies, Jesus will walk on water, multiply food, read the minds of people, and return to life.

And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. (NASB) John 5:37-38

God the Father had already testified about Jesus during Jesus’ baptism in Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; and Luke 3:21-23.

. . . and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” (NASB) Matt. 3:17

We believe that the religious leaders had heard these words from heaven because they were standing there while Jesus was being baptized (Matt. 3:7-17).

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me . . . (NASB) John 5:39