Bible Strands
John 19:35
The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator addresses the reader immediately after a Roman soldier pierces Jesus’ side, invoking a firsthand witness to confirm the event. The statement functions as a historical anchor within the crucifixion account.
The words — ἑωρακὼς (heōrakōs) means “having seen,” and μεμαρτύρηκεν (memartyriken) translates to “has borne witness.” These perfect tense verbs emphasize a completed action with enduring validity.
The thread — This witness motif recurs in John 21:24, which identifies the disciple as the author of the testimony, and echoes John 15:27’s command to the apostles to testify. Hebrews 2:3 similarly underscores the confirmed nature of the reported salvation.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers accept the eyewitness account as factual to generate faith. It requires no emotional response, only intellectual assent to the reported event.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
Cross-references
- John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true.
- John 15:27 And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
- Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
- 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life.
- John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
- Acts 10:39 We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree,
- Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
- 1 Peter 5:1 As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
- John 11:15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
- John 11:42 I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”