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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 8:17 Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/43_Jhn_08_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:17 - The Woman Caught in Adultery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/8-16.htm" title="John 8:16">◄</a> John 8:17 <a href="/john/8-18.htm" title="John 8:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/8.htm">New International Version</a> In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But also in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Even in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two people is true. <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Even in your law it has been written, that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Even in your law it has been written that the witness of two men is true. <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Even in your own law it is written that the testimony of two persons is true [valid and admissible]. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Your Law requires two witnesses to prove that something is true. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Your own teachings say that the testimony of two people is true. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> It is written in your Law that when two witnesses agree, what they say is true. <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two people is valid. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It's also written in your Law that the testimony of two people is valid. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In your own Law, too, it is written that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and also in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But also in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and also in your law it hath been written, that the testimony of two men are true; <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And also in your law has it been written, that the testimony of two men is true.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And in your law it is written, that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And it is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And it is written in your own law, that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And in your Written Law it is written: 'The testimony of two men is true.' “<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> It is also written in your law, The testimony of two is worthy of credit. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And it has been written in our law, that the testimony of two men is true.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now even in your law it is written, that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> now it is written in your law, that the testimony of two men is valid. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In your own Law, too, it is written that the testimony of two men is true. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And in your law also it has been written, 'The testimony of two men is true.'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And it is written in your own law, that the testimony of two persons is valid.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2822" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">The Woman Caught in Adultery</a> …16But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me. 17<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Even</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5212.htm" title="5212: hymeterō (PPro-DM2P) -- Your, yours. From humeis; yours, i.e. Pertaining to you.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">own</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomō (N-DMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">Law</a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: gegraptai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">it is written</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3141.htm" title="3141: martyria (N-NFS) -- Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given.">testimony</a> <a href="/greek/1417.htm" title="1417: dyo (Adj-GMP) -- Two. A primary numeral; two.">of two</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/227.htm" title="227: alēthēs (Adj-NFS) -- Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE.">valid.</a> 18I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a> A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a> But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ <a href="/2_corinthians/13-1.htm">2 Corinthians 13:1</a> This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” <a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30</a> If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. <a href="/hebrews/10-28.htm">Hebrews 10:28</a> Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. <a href="/1_timothy/5-19.htm">1 Timothy 5:19</a> Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. <a href="/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31-32</a> If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. / There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid. <a href="/matthew/26-60.htm">Matthew 26:60-61</a> But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” <a href="/mark/14-56.htm">Mark 14:56-59</a> For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: / “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’” ... <a href="/acts/10-43.htm">Acts 10:43</a> All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” <a href="/revelation/11-3.htm">Revelation 11:3</a> And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Luke 24:44</a> Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” <a href="/isaiah/8-20.htm">Isaiah 8:20</a> To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. <a href="/jeremiah/32-10.htm">Jeremiah 32:10-12</a> I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard. <a href="/zechariah/8-16.htm">Zechariah 8:16</a> These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.also.<a href="/john/10-34.htm">John 10:34</a> Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?<a href="/john/15-25.htm">John 15:25</a> But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.<a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a> Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.that.<a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6</a> At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.<a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a> One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.<a href="/1_kings/21-10.htm">1 Kings 21:10</a> And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-5.htm">Law</a> <a href="/john/8-14.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/8-13.htm">Valid</a> <a href="/john/8-16.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/8-14.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/john/6-45.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/10-34.htm">Law</a> <a href="/john/8-18.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-2.htm">Valid</a> <a href="/john/8-26.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/8-18.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/john/10-34.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">John 8</div>1. <a href="/john/8-1.htm">Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.</a> 12. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;</a> 31. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">promises freedom to those who believe;</a> 33. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;</a> 48. <a href="/john/8-48.htm">answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;</a> 59. <a href="/john/8-59.htm">and slips away from those who would stone him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Even in your own Law This phrase refers to the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites and is foundational to Jewish religious and cultural identity. The Law, or Torah, includes the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who were experts in the Law, highlighting their own standards. This reference underscores the authority and continuity of the Old Testament in the New Testament narrative. It also points to the importance of the Law in establishing truth and justice within the community.it is written This phrase indicates that Jesus is quoting directly from the Scriptures, emphasizing the authority and permanence of God's Word. The use of "it is written" is a common rabbinic formula for citing Scripture, which Jesus uses to affirm the validity and reliability of the Law. This also demonstrates Jesus' respect for the Scriptures and His deep understanding of them, as He often used Scripture to teach and correct.that the testimony of two men The requirement for two witnesses is rooted in <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>, which states that a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. This principle was crucial in legal proceedings to ensure fairness and prevent false accusations. In the context of <a href="/john/8.htm">John 8</a>, Jesus uses this principle to validate His own testimony and that of the Father, highlighting the divine witness to His mission and identity.is valid The validity of testimony is a legal concept that ensures justice and truth. In the Jewish legal system, the corroboration of two witnesses was necessary to confirm a claim or accusation. Jesus uses this legal standard to argue for the legitimacy of His claims about Himself, as He and the Father both testify to His identity and mission. This also points to the broader theme of Jesus fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, as He embodies the truth and justice that the Law seeks to uphold.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and teaching about His divine authority and testimony. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses. They are questioning Jesus' authority and testimony. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus references this to validate His testimony. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this discourse, where Jesus often taught and engaged with religious leaders. 5. <a href="/topical/w/witness/testimony.htm">Witness/Testimony</a> A legal and religious concept in Jewish law, requiring two or more witnesses to establish a matter as true.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_witnesses.htm">The Importance of Witnesses</a> In both legal and spiritual matters, the testimony of multiple witnesses is crucial for establishing truth. This principle underscores the reliability and integrity of the process. <a href="/topical/j/jesus'_divine_authority.htm">Jesus' Divine Authority</a> Jesus uses the Law to affirm His divine authority, showing that He fulfills and upholds the Law. Believers can trust in His words and works as divinely validated. <a href="/topical/s/scriptural_consistency.htm">Scriptural Consistency</a> The principle of two or three witnesses is consistent throughout Scripture, demonstrating God's unchanging nature and the reliability of His Word. <a href="/topical/e/engaging_with_skepticism.htm">Engaging with Skepticism</a> Like Jesus, believers can use Scripture to address skepticism and questions about faith, pointing to the consistency and truth of God's Word. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_integrity.htm">Living with Integrity</a> Just as the Law required truthful testimony, Christians are called to live with integrity, ensuring their words and actions align with God's truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 8</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_39_and_42_articles.htm">What should you focus on that is true and noble?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_jesus's_testimony_meet_witness_rules.htm">John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_say_in_john_5_31,_8_14.htm">In the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness in John 5:31 and John 8:14?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'sheep_without_a_shepherd'.htm">Who is the author of Leviticus?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) It is also written in your law.--He now proceeds to show again that the technical requirement of the Law was satisfied by His witness. The term "your law" is material, as addressed to those who were professed expounders of it and accused Him of being a transgressor of it. (Comp. the parallel reference to the Law in <a href="/john/10-34.htm" title="Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?">John 10:34</a>; <a href="/john/15-25.htm" title="But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.">John 15:25</a>.) To assert that Jesus placed Himself in a position of antagonism to the Mosaic law, is to forget the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm" title="Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.">Matthew 5:17</a>); and to assert that the Jesus of the Fourth Gospel differs in this respect from the character as portrayed by the earlier Evangelists, is to forget the teaching of the last verse of John 5, and, indeed, to miss the whole force of these very passages. He does not, indeed, say "our law," as it was for them what it could not be for Him; but He mentions it to show in each case that He fulfilled it.That the testimony of two men is true.--See <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm" title="At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.">Deuteronomy 17:6</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm" title="One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>, and comp. Notes on <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm" title="But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.">Matthew 18:16</a> and <a href="/context/mark/14-55.htm" title="And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.">Mark 14:55-56</a>. The words are here quoted freely, and "two men" is substituted for "two or three witnesses," which we find in both the passages in Deuteronomy. This prepares the way for the full thought of the "witness," in the next verse. The requirement of the Law would be satisfied with the evidence of two men: He has the witness of two Persons, but each is divine. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - Having laid down the principle on which he was justified in maintaining the truthfulness of the assumption which the Pharisees impugned, he proceeded to vindicate, for these Jewish legalists, its agreement with the very letter of the Law. He adopted here the identical ground which was taken by him when first of all he claimed this fellowship with the Father. Yea, and in your Law it has been written, that the witness of two men is true. Many have said that here Jesus puts himself on one side as in hostility to the Law; Baur and some others plead, from the very phrase "your Law," that Jesus could not have used such an expression, and that John could not have recorded it; and Reuss urges that this expression agrees with the "standpoint of the gospel,which aims at lowering and degrading the old dispensation." Nothing could be less in harmony with the facts (see Introduction, § VII. 2). Even Meyer says, "The words are anti-Judaic... though not antinomian." Surely our Lord was simply appealing to his bitter enemies to recognize the application of the principle found in their own Law, of which they were continually making a proud boast. He simply goes to common ground of argument, and is ready to show that even the letter of the Law sustains his claim for the sufficient reason that he is not alone, but the Father is manifestly with him. Just as he never said "our Father" when addressing his disciples, but either "my Father" or "your Father" (<a href="/john/20-17.htm">John 20:17</a>), because God is not the Father of men in the full sense in which he was Father to the only begotten Son; so he could not say "our Law" or "Moses gave us the Law" without derogating from the unique relation he sustained to the Law (compare Paul's language, <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17, 21, 23</a>). The quotation from Deuteronomy is not verbally exact; it even carries the statement of Scripture to a broader generalization, and is so worded that it applies to the case in point, by carrying the position to a legitimate consequence - "the witness of two men is true." By using the word "men," Christ suggests the contrast between two men on one side and the God-Man and the Father on the other. Lightfoot ('Horae Hebraicae') quotes 'Rosh-Shanah,' 1:2, 3, "that two persons well known must testify to the supreme court that they had seen the new moon! If these were unknown persons, they must bring proof that they were credible witnesses." Upon these common principles of jurisprudence the Lord was willing, in purely Jewish fashion, to rest his claim. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Even Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. your ὑμετέρῳ (hymeterō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5212.htm">Strong's 5212: </a> Your, yours. From humeis; yours, i.e. Pertaining to you. [own] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Law νόμῳ (nomō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. it is written γέγραπται (gegraptai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. testimony μαρτυρία (martyria) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3141.htm">Strong's 3141: </a> Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given. of two δύο (dyo) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1417.htm">Strong's 1417: </a> Two. A primary numeral; 'two'. men ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. valid. ἀληθής (alēthēs) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-17.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:17 It's also written in your law that (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>