5:34a

Even though I do not accept human testimony: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Even though I do not accept human testimony is more literally “not that the testimony that I receive is from man.” Jesus was saying that he did not need human testimony. That was not what he depended on to know who he was. And that is not the reason why he mentioned John the Baptist’s testimony.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

But I don’t depend on human testimony. (God’s Word)
-or-
I have no need of human witnesses. (New Living Translation (2004))

Even though: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Even though here connects the negative statement in 5:34a to the positive statement in 5:34b. This kind of sentence emphasizes the positive statement. In 5:34a, Jesus said what was not the reason he mentioned John the Baptist’s testimony. In 5:34b, he said what was the reason that he mentioned John’s testimony. The reason he did was to help his listeners spiritually, so that his listeners would believe and receive salvation. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. For example:

• Use the conjunction “but” as in the New Revised Standard Version.

I don’t depend on what people say about me, but I tell you these things so that you may be saved. (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:

Although I don’t accept human testimony, I say these things so that you can be saved. (CEB)
-or-
not that I depend on human testimony; no, it is for your salvation that I mention it (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Do not use a conjunction. For example:

But I don’t depend on human testimony. I’m telling you this to save you. (God’s Word)

• Change the order of the clauses. For example:

I tell you about this human testimony for you to be saved, not that I need it myself.

You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.

testimony: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as testimony refers to a public statement about something or someone that one knows. See how you translated it in 1:19a and 5:31–32.

5:34b

I say these things: This clause introduces the reason why Jesus talked about John’s testimony. In some languages it is more natural to make this explicit. For example:

but I mention John’s testimony
-or-
but I tell you about what John has said

so that you may be saved: The conjunction so that here means “in order that.” It introduces a purpose clause. Jesus’ purpose in reminding people of John’s testimony was to help them believe in him and thus receive salvation. For example:

in order that you may be saved (Good News Translation)

This is a passive clause. There are two ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

so you might be saved (New Living Translation (2004))

• Use an active verb. For example:

in order that you may receive salvation
-or-
so ⌊God⌋ will save you

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to those who were listening to Jesus.

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