Paragraph 5:36–38
In this paragraph Jesus told about other witnesses who supported his claims, witnesses greater than John the Baptist.
5:36a
But: This conjunction here introduces a statement that makes the previous statement less important or significant. Although people had welcomed John’s testimony, Jesus had a more important testimony. The topic now changes to this more important testimony.
I have testimony more substantial than that of John: This clause means “Someone gives testimony about me that is more important than the testimony that John gave about me.” Jesus was not saying that John’s testimony was not important, but that there was testimony even more important and reliable.
In some languages it is more natural to compare the ones giving the testimonies (the witnesses) rather than the testimonies. For example:
I have a witness greater than John
I have testimony: This clause refers to the testimony that someone else gives about Jesus, confirming what he said. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb phrase instead of a noun like testimony. For example:
But there is something which confirms/proves to you the truth of what I said that is better/stronger than what John said.
See the note on testimony at 5:31 and 5:34a.
more substantial than that of John: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as more substantial here means “more important” or “superior.”
Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
higher than John’s (Revised English Bible)
-or-
stronger than that of John
-or-
something that testifies more favorably on my behalf than John’s testimony (God’s Word)
5:36b
For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as For means “for” or “because.” Some English translations do not make it explicit, but other translations do. For example:
For (New International Version)
-or-
Because
In this context this conjunction introduces Jesus’ grounds for saying in 5:36a that he had a testimony greater than John’s testimony. Introduce these grounds in a way that is natural in your language.
the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the works here refers to Jesus’ deeds, and especially his miracles. Jesus was claiming that God the Father wanted him to act in the way he had acted. Jesus had healed the paralyzed man because God had told him to do so.
Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
the things that the Father has given me to do (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the deeds that the Father has told me to finish
5:36c
the very works I am doing: This phrase indicates that Jesus was doing the tasks God the Father had told him to do. The miracle of healing the paralyzed man (5:5–9) was one such work.
Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
The deeds I am now doing (NET Bible)
-or-
The things I do (New Century Version)
testify about Me that the Father has sent Me: The expression testify…that the Father has sent Me means “give evidence that my Father ⌊God⌋ sent me ⌊to this world⌋ .” Jesus’ healing miracles showed clearly who he was and who had sent him.
Here are other ways to translate this expression:
testify for me that it was my Father God who sent me
-or-
speak for me and prove that the Father sent me (Contemporary English Version)
testify about Me: This expression indicates that Jesus’ deeds give evidence that he was speaking the truth. They show that Jesus was truly sent from God, with God’s authority. The phrase about Me means “for me” or “for my benefit.” The whole phrase is a figure of speech. In some languages it may not be possible to speak of works/deeds as testifying for someone. If that is the case in your language, here are other ways to translate this phrase:
my works are evidence that I speak the truth
-or-
my deeds are my proof
-or-
The things I do…prove that… (New Century Version)
has sent Me: In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit where the Father sent Jesus. For example:
has sent me ⌊here⌋
-or-
has sent me ⌊into the world⌋
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