John 5:31 – “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.”

Extended Explanation

At first glance, Jesus’ statement here might seem confusing. He says, “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.” Does this mean Jesus is admitting that what He says about Himself is false? Not at all.

Jesus is speaking according to Jewish legal standards. Under the Law of Moses, a person’s testimony was not valid if they were the only witness to their own claim. Deuteronomy 19:15 states that two or three witnesses were needed to establish the truth. Jesus is recognizing this legal principle, not denying the truth of His words.

In the following verses, Jesus explains that He does have other witnesses—John the Baptist, His miracles, God the Father, and the Scriptures (John 5:32-40). So, He is not saying that what He testifies is false, but rather that His testimony alone would not be enough under Jewish law.

Historical Context

In Jewish tradition, truth was not established by a single person’s claim. The Old Testament law required multiple witnesses to confirm a fact:

• Deuteronomy 19:15 – “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
• Numbers 35:30 – A person could not be convicted of a crime based on only one witness.

The religious leaders would have understood that Jesus was referring to this legal principle. They did not accept Jesus’ claims about Himself, so He was showing them that His testimony was not alone—there were multiple witnesses proving His identity.

Theological Implications

1. Jesus Fulfills the Law’s Requirements – Jesus does not ignore Jewish law; instead, He meets its requirements by pointing to other witnesses.
2. God Provides Multiple Evidences for Christ – Faith in Jesus is not blind faith; God has given clear witnesses to confirm that Jesus is the Messiah.
3. Jesus’ Testimony is Trustworthy – Even though He refers to external witnesses, Jesus Himself is the ultimate source of truth (John 14:6).
4. God’s Truth is Confirmed by Witnesses – Throughout Scripture, God confirms His truth through multiple means (prophets, miracles, Scripture, and direct revelation).

Literary Analysis

John’s Gospel is structured around witnesses to Jesus’ identity. In this chapter, Jesus systematically presents four witnesses who confirm His claims:

1. John the Baptist (John 5:33-35) – A respected prophet who testified that Jesus was the Lamb of God.
2. Jesus’ Miracles (John 5:36) – Signs and wonders that prove His divine authority.
3. God the Father (John 5:37-38) – The Father Himself testifies about Jesus.
4. The Scriptures (John 5:39-40) – The Old Testament points to Jesus as the promised Messiah.

The phrase “my testimony is not true” does not mean falsehood—it means that under Jewish law, a claim required additional witnesses. Jesus is making sure His audience understands that He is not just making unsupported claims—His identity is confirmed by God’s Word and divine acts.

Biblical Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 19:15 – The requirement of two or three witnesses.
• John 8:14-18 – Jesus again speaks about testimony and confirms that the Father also testifies for Him.
• John 1:6-8 – John the Baptist is a witness to Jesus.
• Matthew 3:16-17 – God the Father speaks from heaven at Jesus’ baptism.
• Luke 24:27 – Jesus explains how the Scriptures testify about Him.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse teaches us that our faith is not based on blind belief, but on real, verifiable testimony. Jesus did not expect people to believe in Him without evidence—God provided multiple witnesses to confirm His identity.

For believers today, this means:

1. We can trust in Jesus’ identity with confidence – His claims are backed up by Scripture, prophecy, miracles, and God’s direct testimony.
2. We should be prepared to give a reason for our faith – Just as Jesus pointed to witnesses, we should be able to explain why we believe in Him (1 Peter 3:15).
3. We should recognize how God confirms truth in our own lives – The Holy Spirit, Scripture, and the testimony of other believers all serve as “witnesses” to Jesus’ work in us.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He confirms truth for us. He does not expect people to believe without reason—He provides evidence.

• He sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus.
• He allowed Jesus to perform miracles to prove His identity.
• He spoke directly about Jesus at His baptism (Matthew 3:17).
• He gave us the Scriptures to reveal His plan of salvation.

God’s love is not just emotional—it is rational and supported by truth. He gives us every reason to believe in Jesus.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is not just a religious teacher—He is the Son of God, confirmed by multiple witnesses.

• John 14:6 – Jesus is the truth, and He speaks only truth.
• John 10:37-38 – Jesus tells people to believe in Him because of His works.
• Matthew 17:5 – God confirms Jesus’ identity at the Transfiguration.
• Revelation 1:5 – Jesus is called “the faithful witness.”

Jesus does not ask for blind faith—He provides the evidence. The question is, will we believe the testimony?

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes the need for additional witnesses to confirm His identity?
2. What are the witnesses today that confirm Jesus’ identity and mission?
3. How does this verse challenge the idea that Christianity is based on blind faith?
4. What are some ways we can strengthen our confidence in Jesus’ claims?
5. How does understanding the reliability of Jesus’ testimony affect your faith and how you share it with others?

This verse reminds us that Jesus’ claims are backed up by solid evidence. The real question is: Do we accept the testimony God has given us about His Son?