Part One – Introduction and Background
Part Two – Resurrection
Part Three – Life Everlasting
Part Four – Judgment

In John 5:21-40, Christ preached this section exactly as it should be. Though combined for effect by our Lord, writing for instruction here and admitting much overlap and repetition in Christ’s discussion as presented, we’ll examine, in turn, the four topics shown in verses 21 through 40: resurrection, life everlasting, judgment, and the witnesses of this first-century judgment. It’s presented in six parts, none long, for ease of reading. Read the entire chapter first.

Lesson 5, Witnesses

The Jews were having their conditional covenant terminated for violation (Isaiah 61:1-2, Daniel 9:24-27, Micah 7:13, Matthew 23:13-24:35, Matthew 24, Revelation 4-19. The Old Covenant and the temple system are being put to death, “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. This verse does not apply directly to the end of the Old Covenant but shows an aspect of God’s nature in judicial dealings with men under His rule. But we are not without hope; the promise (covenant) of a seed (Galatians 3:16) to Abram was fulfilled two thousand years ago and remains, the Church being added to daily.

In verse 30, we learn what Christ repeatedly states about His mission on earth. He does all things by the will of the Father, only seeking to please Him. His judgment is just because He does this in the will of His Father, who sent Him.

“30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.”

Jesus claims the Father again (For personal application, see John 6:44). In verse 31, Jesus begins to offer the empirical observable truths from several witnesses about who He is. But more importantly, under the covenant nature of our God and demands in the law for more than one witness to establish criminal conviction, Jesus indicates that His testimony, though He is God the Son, will not be the lone voice. Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, never sinning against it in the will of the Father. Christ sets forth proof under the law of God that He, Jesus of Nazareth, is the Christ of God. Remember to whom He’s speaking (verses 16-19); if He bears witness of Himself as the lone testimony, under the law, it’s insufficient.

In verse 32, Christ starts to list the witnesses and their proofs. We’ll note the witnesses and make a select point or two.

-First witness, John Baptist. See John 1:26-27, 29-30.

“32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.”

John Baptist told the Jews that the Christ of God Almighty was among them (John 1:26-27), soon to be revealed. The whole witness (John 1:15) and record (John 1:19) that John Baptist gives is well worth examination: John 1:15-37. It’s preached too little and examined too lightly today.

“33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

In verse 33, Jesus addresses the Pharisees directly about sending the priests and Levites to ask John who he was (John 1:19, 22). In verse 35, He broadens the conversation to all those listening, for all men in Judea went out to John to hear him preach and get baptized in Jordan (Mark 1:5,7-8). And as stated, verse 34 is the sermon’s purpose: that ye might be saved! Also see Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 4:5, and John 1:23. This witness is valid.

-Second witness, the miracles done by Christ.

“36 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.”

Verse 36 was already set up by verse 20 to indicate that He would examine this topic. Also, see John 14:11. Of course, there are too many miracles to list here, but remember that this whole exchange started over the miracle of healing the lame man by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). In verse 36, by repetition, Christ is re-establishing context for the maintenance of His exposition; the word of God is never without scope of purpose.

Nicodemus, among others, admitted that Christ’s power had to be from God (John 3:2). Nicodemus also perceives Jesus to be a teacher, which, being interpreted, would be a prophet sent from God (John 3:2). In verse 11 of John 3, a verse often misunderstood, Christ explains that He is indeed a prophet by citing the testimony (another judicial term) of all the prophets before Him. But we know Jesus isn’t only a prophet but also the High Priest, Saviour, Lord, and King, being all things to every man in faith.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” – John 21:25. Therefore, the witness of His works and all that He did are well established in the ear of God’s high court.

-Third witness, the Father.

“37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.”

Father God, speaking through the prophets, Moses, and David, showed the coming of Christ throughout the Old Testament. God predicts the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14, but in John 8:41, the Jews accuse Jesus of being born of fornication. Though this verse is abused by many denominations, sects, and cults today, one thing is clear: the coming Christ is spoken of in Genesis chapter 3:15. See Micah 5:2, and in Psalm 22, there are many messianic verses about the crucifixion of Christ. Also, see Isaiah 53. Many other examples exist for our edification.

Verses 36 through 38 should be examined together. The works Jesus was given to fulfill were from the Father. The Father Himself is a witness in the Law and Prophets, by which we take Jesus to mean the entire Old Testament (Luke 16:16). Jesus, once again, broadens the conversation to include all the prophets and Moses. See Matthew 23:29-31, John 5:39, 46-47.

“Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:” – Matthew 23:34. As Jesus pronounces the judgment upon that generation, He tells the Jews that not only have they rejected God’s witness in our text, but will reject and persecute the Apostolic Era prophets, witnesses, and teachers/evangelists.

As any good ruler would (Exodus 17:14), the Father keeps a book of remembrance: Malachi 3:16, Revelation 20:12. Remembrance is an imperfect term and merely a word picture for us. God knows all things from the beginning to the end. More so, He orders all these things for they are His works (Isaiah 46:10). All is to the glory of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 11:36). God knows those that are His (2 Timothy 2:19), and He forgets not your deeds serving Christ in the truth (Hebrews 6:10), and He knows who is appointed to the second death (Revelation 20:15) except they repent. The witness of the Father cannot be denied except by the self-willed and self-righteous man, even today.

-Fourth witness, Scripture.

“39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Having alluded to the Law and Prophets in the immediately preceding verses, Christ specifically cites the Scriptures as a witness. As mentioned, the verses are very tightly wound together. Since the witness of the Father is predicated on Scripture, if one concludes that verse 38 flows into 39 and there are but three witnesses, that’s probably correct, and you’ll get no argument here. For purposes of examining this section, it’s listed separately.

The Father and His will are found in Scripture. Jesus is the Word made flesh; He does always do the will of the Father, and the Holy Spirit is with them; these three are One and never in disagreement. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” – 1 John 5:7.

Christ has established the law, and the witnesses are found faithful. Having chosen to live by the law and therefore die in the law (Romans 2:12), the Jews are guilty in the very least of violating the Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16) and are antichrist (1 John 2:22). Having further denied the witness of the Father, they are outside the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3) as well and in grave peril of their life. They are guilty as charged, denying that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and Son of God; though offered salvation (verse 34), they will not be saved.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” – 1 Corinthians 1:26.

God have mercy on us all.