Bible Strands
John 5:36
But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a Jewish audience in Jerusalem, immediately following His remark about their temporary interest in John the Baptist’s ministry. He addresses them during a feast period while defending His authority against their skepticism.
The words — The Greek μεῖζον (meizon) translates literally as “greater,” establishing a direct comparison of witness. Jesus uses ἔχω (echō, “I have”) to assert possession of a superior testimony grounded in divine action rather than human proclamation.
The thread — The linkage between miraculous works and divine commission appears in John 10:25 and John 10:37, where Jesus repeatedly identifies His deeds as proof of the Father’s sending. John 2:23 records that early Jerusalem believers also tied these visible signs to faith in His name.
Why it lands — The text first states that Jesus’ ongoing works directly testify to His Father-sent mission, then requires the reader to evaluate that claim against their own standards of evidence. It asks the reader to accept the works themselves as the decisive proof of divine authority rather than relying on secondary witnesses.
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
But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Cross-references
- John 10:25 “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.
- John 2:23 While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name.
- John 10:37 If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me.
- John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.
- John 9:30 “That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.
- 1 John 5:9 Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.
- John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”
- Matthew 11:4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
- John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
- John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.