Joh 5:36-38 | RWP | e4.org | But the witness which I have is greater than that of John ( Εγω δε εχω την μαρτυριαν μειζω του Ιωανου ). Literally, "But I have the witness greater than John's." Μειζω ( μειζονα ) is predicate accusative and Ιωανου is ablative of comparison after μειζω . Good as the witness of John is, Christ has superior testimony. To accomplish ( ινα τελειωσω ). Final clause with ινα and first aorist active subjunctive of τελειοω , the same idiom in . Jesus felt keenly the task laid on him by the Father (cf. ) and claimed at the end that he had performed it ( ; ). Jesus held that the highest form of faith did not require these "works" ( εργα ) as in ; ; . But these "works" bear the seal of the Father's approval ( , ; ) and to reject their witness is wrong ( ; .; ). The very works ( αυτα τα εργα ). "The works themselves," repeating τα εργα just before for vernacular emphasis. Hath sent me ( με απεσταλκεν ). Perfect active indicative of αποστελλω , the permanence of the mission. Cf. . The continuance of the witness is emphasized in ; .

‏ John 5:36-38

But the witness which I have is greater than that of John ( Εγω δε εχω την μαρτυριαν μειζω του Ιωανου ). Literally, "But I have the witness greater than John's." Μειζω ( μειζονα ) is predicate accusative and Ιωανου is ablative of comparison after μειζω. Good as the witness of John is, Christ has superior testimony.

To accomplish ( ινα τελειωσω ). Final clause with ινα and first aorist active subjunctive of τελειοω, the same idiom in 4:34. Jesus felt keenly the task laid on him by the Father (cf. 3:35) and claimed at the end that he had performed it (17:4; 19:30). Jesus held that the highest form of faith did not require these "works" ( εργα ) as in 2:23; 10:38; 14:11. But these "works" bear the seal of the Father's approval (5:20, 36; 10:25) and to reject their witness is wrong (10:25; 10:37f.; 15:24).

The very works ( αυτα τα εργα ). "The works themselves," repeating τα εργα just before for vernacular emphasis.

Hath sent me ( με απεσταλκεν ). Perfect active indicative of αποστελλω, the permanence of the mission. Cf. 3:17. The continuance of the witness is emphasized in 5:32; 8:18.

He hath borne witness ( εκεινος μεμαρτυρηκεν ). Εκεινος (that one; cf. 5:35, 38), not αυτος. Perfect active indicative of μαρτυρεω, the direct witness of the Father, besides the indirect witness of the works. Jesus is not speaking of the voice of the Father at his baptism (Mr 1:11), the transfiguration (Mr 9:7), nor even at the time of the visit of the Greeks (Joh 12:28). This last voice was heard by many who thought it was thunder or an angel. The language of Jesus refers to the witness of the Father in the heart of the believers as is made plain in 1Jo 5:9, 10. God's witness does not come by audible "voice" ( φωνην ) nor visible "form" ( ειδος ). Cf. 1:18; 6:46; 1Jo 4:12. Ακηκοατε is perfect active indicative of ακουω, to hear, and εωρακατε is perfect active indicative of οραω, to see. It is a permanent state of failure to hear and see God. The experience of Jacob in Peniel (Ge 32:30) was unusual, but Jesus will say that those who have seen him have seen the Father (Joh 14:9), but here he means the Father's "voice" and "form" as distinct from the Son.

And ( κα ). "And yet" as in 1:10 and 5:40 below.

His word abiding in you ( τον λογον αυτου εν υμιν μενοντα ). But God's word had come to them through the centuries by the prophets. For the phrase see 10:35; 15:3; 17:6; 1Jo 1:10; 2:14.

Him ye believe not ( τουτω υμεις ου πιστευετε ). "This one" ( τουτω, dative case with πιστευετε ) in emphatic relation to preceding "he" ( εκεινος, God). Jesus has given them God's word, but they reject both Jesus and God's word (Joh 14:9).