John 10:41

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

And {G2532} many {G4183} resorted {G2064} unto {G4314} him {G846}, and {G2532} said {G3004},{G3754} John {G2491} did {G4160} no {G3303}{G3762} miracle {G4592}: but {G1161} all things {G3956} that {G3745} John {G2491} spake {G2036} of {G4012} this man {G5127} were {G2258} true {G227}.

Many people came to him and said, “Yochanan performed no miracles, but everything Yochanan said about this man was true.”

Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”

And many came unto him; and they said, John indeed did no sign: but all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true.

Context

This verse concludes a significant section in the Gospel of John. Jesus has just engaged in a heated debate with Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, culminating in another attempt to stone Him for claiming to be the Son of God (John 10:31). Following this confrontation, Jesus withdraws from Jerusalem and goes "beyond Jordan, into the place where John at first baptized" (John 10:40). It is in this familiar territory, where John the Baptist’s ministry had been prominent, that many people "resorted unto him"—actively sought out Jesus. Their recognition of John's non-miraculous yet truthful testimony about Jesus is a powerful affirmation of Christ's identity, especially after the hostility He faced in the capital.

Key Themes

  • Validation of Jesus' Identity: The central message is the affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah, powerfully confirmed by the people's recognition of the truthfulness of John the Baptist's prophecies. John’s words, though not accompanied by miracles, are seen as utterly reliable.
  • The Nature of John's Ministry: This verse highlights the distinct role of John the Baptist. He was a prophet, a voice preparing the way for the Lord (John 1:23), whose authority rested on his prophetic witness rather than on miraculous signs. This contrasts with Jesus, who performed many signs and wonders.
  • Belief Based on Testimony: The passage illustrates that belief in Jesus can be cultivated not only through witnessing His miracles but also through the consistent and truthful testimony of others. The people in this region had heard John's words and now, observing Jesus, found them to be true.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "resorted unto him" translates the Greek verb erchomai (ἔρχομαι), which means "to come" or "to go." In this context, it implies that people actively sought out Jesus, drawn to Him in this place of John's former ministry. The declaration that "all things that John spake of this man were true" emphasizes the veracity and reliability of John's prophetic witness. The Greek word for "true" here is alēthēs (ἀληθής), signifying not just factual accuracy but also genuine reality and trustworthiness, underscoring the profound impact of John's words.

Related Scriptures

  • For John the Baptist's explicit testimony about Jesus as the Lamb of God, see John 1:29.
  • John's understanding of his subordinate yet vital role is clearly expressed in John 3:30: "He must increase, but I must decrease."
  • Jesus Himself acknowledged the validity of John's witness in John 5:33, stating, "Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth."

Practical Application

John 10:41 offers a powerful lesson on the nature of truth and belief. It reminds us that God often works through faithful witnesses whose primary tool is the spoken word, rather than always requiring spectacular signs. The enduring impact of John the Baptist's testimony, even without miracles, underscores the importance of a consistent and truthful witness to Christ. For believers today, this means that our lives and words, when aligned with God's truth, can be a powerful force in leading others to recognize Jesus. We are called to be faithful witnesses, pointing to Christ with integrity, just as John did, knowing that the truth of God's Word has transformative power regardless of external displays.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 1:33

    And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

  • John 1:34

    And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

  • John 1:29

    ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

  • John 1:30

    This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

  • John 1:27

    He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

  • Luke 12:1

    ¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

  • Mark 1:37

    And when they had found him, they said unto him, All [men] seek for thee.

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