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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 5:31 If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/5-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_05_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 5:31 - Testimonies about Jesus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />If I bear witness concerning Myself, My testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If I <i>alone</i> testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If I <i>alone</i> bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“If I <i>alone</i> bear witness about Myself, My witness is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If I <i>alone</i> testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If I speak for myself, there is no way to prove I am telling the truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If I testify on my own behalf, what I say isn't true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"If I testify on my own behalf, what I say is not to be accepted as real proof. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not trustworthy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"If I give testimony concerning myself, my testimony cannot be accepted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If I testify concerning Myself, My testimony is not true;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />If I bear witness concerning Myself, My testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not true;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If I testify of myself, my testimony is not true.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If I offer testimony about myself, my testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And if I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not worthy of credit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not true.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />if I testified of my self, my testimony would be suspected.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"If I give testimony concerning myself, my testimony cannot be accepted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>If I testify concerning Myself, My testimony is not true.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>If I <Fr><i>alone</i><FR> bear witness of my self, my testimony is not true <Fr><i>in law:</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/5-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=1594" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/5.htm">Testimonies about Jesus</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30</span>I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: Ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: martyrō (V-PSA-1S) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">testify</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/1683.htm" title="1683: emautou (PPro-GM1S) -- Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.">Myself,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</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."></a> <a href="/greek/3141.htm" title="3141: martyria (N-NFS) -- Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given.">testimony</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/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/227.htm" title="227: alēthēs (Adj-NFS) -- Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE.">valid.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">32</span>There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-14.htm">John 8:14-18</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. / You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. / But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-26.htm">John 15:26-27</a></span><br />When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. / And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-7.htm">John 1:7-8</a></span><br />He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-54.htm">John 8:54</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-25.htm">John 10:25</a></span><br />“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-17.htm">John 12:17</a></span><br />Meanwhile, many people who had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-35.htm">John 19:35</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-9.htm">1 John 5:9-10</a></span><br />Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son. / Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a></span><br />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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/13-1.htm">2 Corinthians 13:1</a></span><br />This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-28.htm">Hebrews 10:28</a></span><br />Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6</a></span><br />On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/8-13.htm">John 8:13,14,54</a></b></br> The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-2.htm">Proverbs 27:2</a></b></br> Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/3-14.htm">Revelation 3:14</a></b></br> And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/3-33.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/luke/24-18.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/john/3-28.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/3-32.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/4-39.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-3.htm">Valid</a> <a href="/john/4-37.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/4-44.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/2-41.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/john/5-44.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/john/5-36.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/5-32.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/john/5-32.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/john/5-32.htm">Valid</a> <a href="/john/5-32.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/5-32.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">John 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-1.htm">Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-10.htm">The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-17.htm">He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-31.htm">of John,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-36.htm">of his works,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/5-39.htm">and of the Scriptures, who he is.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/5.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/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If I testify about Myself</b><br>In the context of Jewish law, a single testimony was not considered sufficient to establish a matter. <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a> states that a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Jesus acknowledges this principle, emphasizing the importance of corroborating evidence. This reflects the broader biblical theme of truth being established by multiple witnesses, as seen in both Old and New Testament passages.<p><b>My testimony is not valid</b><br>Here, Jesus is not suggesting that His testimony is false, but rather that according to Jewish legal standards, a self-testimony alone would not be accepted as valid. This statement sets the stage for Jesus to introduce other witnesses to His identity and mission, such as John the Baptist, His works, the Father, and the Scriptures. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God often provides multiple confirmations of His truth, as seen in the prophetic tradition and the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the issue of His testimony and the validation of His claims.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the audience Jesus is addressing in this discourse, questioning His authority and testimony.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The setting of this discourse, where Jesus often engaged with religious leaders and the public.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/witnesses.htm">Witnesses</a></b><br>The concept of witnesses is crucial in this passage, as Jesus refers to the need for external validation of His claims.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mosaic_law.htm">Mosaic Law</a></b><br>The backdrop of this discussion, which required two or three witnesses to establish a matter (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>).<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_valid_testimony.htm">The Importance of Valid Testimony</a></b><br>Jesus acknowledges the need for His testimony to be validated by others, aligning with the Jewish legal system. This teaches us the importance of accountability and external validation in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_witness.htm">Divine Witness</a></b><br>Jesus' testimony is ultimately validated by God the Father. This reminds us to seek God's affirmation in our lives and decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture.htm">The Role of Scripture</a></b><br>The Bible serves as a witness to Jesus' identity and mission. We should immerse ourselves in Scripture to understand and validate our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>Just as Jesus' testimony required witnesses, we too should live in community, where our actions and beliefs are supported and challenged by others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_reason.htm">Faith and Reason</a></b><br>While faith is essential, Jesus' approach shows that reason and evidence also play a role in understanding and validating truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_fourfold_witness.htm">What is the concept of the Fourfold Witness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_john_21_24-25_an_authentic_addendum.htm">John 21:24-25 - Why does this chapter appear like an addendum compared to the rest of John's Gospel, and does its different tone cast doubt on its authenticity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">If I bear witness of myself.</span>--This verse is the link between the thoughts of Christ's person (<a href="/context/john/5-17.htm" title="But Jesus answered them, My Father works till now, and I work.">John 5:17-30</a>) and the witness to Him (<a href="/context/john/5-32.htm" title="There is another that bears witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesses of me is true.">John 5:32-40</a>). He can do nothing of Himself (<a href="/john/5-30.htm" title="I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.">John 5:30</a>), and does not even bear witness of Himself. If He did, it would be on technical grounds not to be credited. He meets the objection then doubtless in their minds, and soon expressed in their words. (Comp. Notes on <a href="/context/john/8-13.htm" title="The Pharisees therefore said to him, You bore record of yourself; your record is not true.">John 8:13-18</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - At this point the Lord proceeds to meet the clamour which most probably arose, the doubt and questioning which broke the silence with which his solemn defence had been received. We can hear between the lines the cries of an excited crowd, declaring that these words are simply his own. Such testimony as this to himself must be sustained and sanctioned. Why and how can this Teacher take such ground as to assert about himself what no prophet, no rabbi, no chief priest of the people, not even the greatest man of men, Moses himself, had ever dared to claim? Christ admits that such assumptions as these need justification and approval over and above his <span class="accented">ipse dixit.</span> The words that follow are startling: <span class="cmt_word">If I bear witness concerning myself, my witness is not true.</span> At first sight this is in direct contradiction to <a href="/john/8-14.htm">John 8:14</a>, where, in reply to the Pharisees' "Thou bearest witness concerning thyself; thy witness is nor true," he replied, "<span class="accented">Though I bear witness of myself, my witness is true</span>; because I know whence I came, and whither I go." The absolute unison with the Father, which he was not only conscious of, but had also revealed to the Pharisees, lifted his own word to the grandeur of a word of God. The Divine beamed through the human, the infinite through the finite. Here he says, "<span class="accented">If I bear</span> - if I and I alone were bearing <span class="accented">witness</span> to myself," then - supposing a case, which, as a matter of fact, is impossible - "<span class="accented">my</span> <span class="accented">witness is not true."</span> If he were acting alone, which is an inconceivable supposition, seeing that in the depths of his consciousness he knew that he was one with the Father, then for his human nature to break away thus from the Father and disdain his testimony would nullify and falsify his witness. He is not bearing witness alone. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/5-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐὰν</span> <span class="translit">(Ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐγὼ</span> <span class="translit">(egō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">testify</span><br /><span class="grk">μαρτυρῶ</span> <span class="translit">(martyrō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> </span><span class="str2">To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="grk">περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Myself,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐμαυτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(emautou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1683.htm">Strong's 1683: </a> </span><span class="str2">Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">testimony</span><br /><span class="grk">μαρτυρία</span> <span class="translit">(martyria)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3141.htm">Strong's 3141: </a> </span><span class="str2">Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">valid.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀληθής</span> <span class="translit">(alēthēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/5-31.htm">NT Gospels: John 5:31 If I testify about myself my witness (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/5-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 5:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 5:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/5-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 5:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 5:32" /></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>