Bible Strands
John 5:35
John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Jewish opponents in Jerusalem who are challenging His authority, explaining that His divine commission relies on testimony greater than John the Baptist's. He contrasts John's temporary role with the enduring witness of the works the Father entrusted to Him.
The words — ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) and λύχνος (luchnos) literally mean "He" and "lamp," while καιόμενος (kaiomenos) and φαίνων (phainōn) denote "burning" and "shining." The text states John functioned as a temporary light that the audience willingly enjoyed for a limited period.
The thread — The lamp imagery resurfaces in 2 Peter 1:19, where the prophetic word is described as a light shining in darkness, and John 1:7 defines John's purpose as witnessing to the true Light. Matthew 11:11 also marks John's unique standing among those born of women.
Why it lands — The text declares that human witnesses serve only as provisional pointers and must yield to the definitive testimony of God's works. It demands the reader examine spiritual claims by their divine origin and lasting fruit rather than temporary cultural appeal.
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
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Cross-references
- 2 Peter 1:19 We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
- John 1:7 He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.
- Matthew 11:11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
- Matthew 3:5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
- Luke 1:76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
- Matthew 11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
- Matthew 13:20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
- Matthew 21:26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
- Mark 6:20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
- Luke 1:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.