John Series Sermon 27 The Five Witnesses To Jesus’ Authority And Power John 5:31–39 Series

a. The words bore witness (memartureken) mean a permanent and continuing witness. His message was not a fly-by-night witness that appeared on the scene and suddenly disappeared. His witness continued and still continues and will always continue. It was a trustworthy message, a witness to the truth. (See Jn. 1:19–27, 29–36.)

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.… Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Mt. 3:1–2, 8).

“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Mt. 3:10–11).

b. The words the truth are a reference not only to the truth of John’s message but also to Christ Himself, who is the Truth, the very embodiment of Truth.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6).

c. Jesus did not need or plead the witness of a mere man. The implication for man is clear: men should not plead the witness of a mere man when dealing with eternal issues that determine their destiny. The testimony of God’s Son should be counted the strongest of witnesses, yet tragically men want the testimony of other men just like themselves.

Note: Jesus did not receive the witness of men, for He knew what was in man (see Jn. 2:24–25). He also rebuked Nicodemus for not receiving His witness and letting it be enough (Jn. 3:11).

d. Jesus reached out to men, giving them what they required, hoping to save some. He gave them the most dynamic human witness He could—John the Baptist. John’s witness was as clear and pointed as it could be: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29).

e. The witness of John was that of a burning and shining light. His light was clearly seen to be of God, lit by God as the light of God. That John’s message (witness) was of God could not be questioned by any reasonable and honest person. John definitely showed men the way to God, just as a light shows men the way out of darkness.

f. The people rejoiced in John’s light, but only for a season. They looked upon John as a sensation, a moment of excitement, listening and accepting only what they wished. Very simply, if John said anything that did not allow them to do as they desired, they rejected it.

4 (5:36) Jesus Christ, Deity—Works—Witness to: there was the witness of miraculous works. Four significant things were said by Jesus.

a. Jesus’ works were a greater witness than the witness of John the Baptist.

b. Jesus’ works were given to Him by the Father. He was on a mission for God; therefore, what He did—all the works—were of God (see Jn. 3:35).

? He was the One appointed by God to carry out the works of God.

? He was the One empowered by God to do the works of God.