John 5:31

KJV

¶ If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1437} I {G1473} bear witness {G3140} of {G4012} myself {G1683}, my {G3450} witness {G3141} is {G2076} not {G3756} true {G227}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not valid.

Berean Standard Bible

If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.

American Standard Version

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 5:31, Jesus declares, "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true." This statement is a strategic concession within a heated discourse with Jewish leaders who challenge His authority and divine claims. Jesus acknowledges the prevailing legal principle that a single individual's testimony is insufficient for corroboration, thereby setting the stage to introduce multiple, undeniable witnesses to His identity and mission, demonstrating both His humility and His profound wisdom in engaging His accusers on their own terms.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem, following His healing of a man on the Sabbath at the Pool of Bethesda ([John 5:1-9](/john/5-1-9 "John 5:1-9 - Healing at the Pool of Bethesda")). This miracle, performed on the Sabbath, directly challenged their interpretation of the Law, leading to accusations of Sabbath-breaking ([John 5:16](/john/5-16 "John 5:16 - Persecution for Sabbath Healing")). The conflict escalates when Jesus asserts His unique relationship with God, declaring that God is His Father, thereby "making himself equal with God" ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jesus' Claim of Equality with God")). Jesus' subsequent discourse, spanning [John 5:19-47](/john/5-19-47 "John 5:19-47 - Jesus' Authority and Witnesses"), systematically defends His divine authority and mission by appealing to various forms of testimony, with [John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness") serving as the crucial pivot point where He acknowledges their legal framework before presenting His compelling evidence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' statement directly references a foundational principle of Jewish jurisprudence, deeply rooted in the Old Testament Law. According to passages like [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses") and [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Two or Three Witnesses"), a legal matter or accusation could not be established by the testimony of a single witness; a minimum of two or three witnesses was required for a testimony to be considered valid and legally binding. This principle was designed to prevent false accusations and ensure justice. By stating that His self-witness is "not true," Jesus is not admitting to a lack of inherent veracity, but rather acknowledging that, within their established legal and cultural framework, His solitary claim would not be considered sufficient or admissible evidence. He meets His opponents on their own ground, preparing to present a case that even they, bound by their own laws, would struggle to refute.

* **Key Themes:** [John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness") contributes significantly to several key themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **Principle of Corroboration** and the **Nature of Testimony** (Greek: *martyria*), a central concept throughout John, emphasizing that truth requires external validation for human acceptance. Secondly, it showcases Jesus' profound **Humility and Strategic Argumentation**; though divine, He condescends to engage His accusers within their legal parameters rather than simply demanding belief based on His inherent authority, as seen in His later discourse in [John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' True Self-Witness"). Finally, this verse serves as a crucial **Anticipation of Other Witnesses**, setting the stage for Jesus to systematically present the Father's testimony ([John 5:32](/john/5-32 "John 5:32 - The Father's Witness")), John the Baptist's witness ([John 5:33](/john/5-33 "John 5:33 - John the Baptist's Witness")), His own miraculous works ([John 5:36](/john/5-36 "John 5:36 - The Witness of Jesus' Works")), and the witness of the Scriptures ([John 5:39](/john/5-39 "John 5:39 - The Witness of the Scriptures")) as irrefutable evidence of His divine identity and mission.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bear witness (Greek, _martyréō'_):** From G3140, meaning "to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it refers to the act of giving testimony or evidence, particularly in a legal or authoritative sense. Jesus is speaking of the act of presenting His own claims about Himself.
* **witness (Greek, _martyría'_):** From G3141, meaning "evidence given (judicially or genitive case)." This noun refers to the testimony itself, the statement or declaration made. Here, it is Jesus' own self-declaration.
* **true (Greek, _alēthḗs'_):** From G227, meaning "true (as not concealing)." While *alēthḗs* often denotes inherent truthfulness, in this specific legal context, it carries the nuance of "valid," "legally admissible," or "corroborated." Jesus is not implying His words are inherently false, but rather that His solitary testimony lacks the legal corroboration required by Jewish law to be considered valid and acceptable by His audience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I bear witness of myself":** This conditional clause establishes the premise of Jesus' statement. He is positing a hypothetical scenario where His only evidence for His claims is His own self-declaration. The "if" (G1437, *eán*) introduces a condition, implying that while He *could* bear witness of Himself, such testimony would not meet the legal standards of His audience.
* **"my witness is not true":** This is the consequence of the premise. The word "true" (G227, *alēthḗs*) here must be understood in its specific legal and contextual sense. It does not mean Jesus is inherently false or lying. Instead, it means His testimony, if it stood alone, would not be "valid," "legally acceptable," or "sufficiently corroborated" according to the Jewish law requiring multiple witnesses. Jesus is acknowledging and respecting the legal framework of His interlocutors, preparing to demonstrate that His claims are, in fact, supported by an abundance of external, undeniable witnesses.

#### Literary Devices
John's Gospel frequently employs **Irony**, and [John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness") presents a subtle form of it. Jesus, who is the embodiment of truth and the Word of God, states that His own witness is "not true" (in the legal sense), highlighting the human limitations and legalistic mindset of His audience. This statement also functions as a **Strategic Concession** or **Rhetorical Device**, where Jesus temporarily adopts His opponents' legal framework to build a more compelling argument. By conceding to their rule of corroboration, He disarms their immediate objection and sets the stage for a powerful series of external witnesses that will leave them without excuse. Furthermore, the entire passage ([John 5:19-47](/john/5-19-47 "John 5:19-47 - Jesus' Authority and Witnesses")) operates as a **Legal Metaphor**, presenting Jesus as a defendant (though He is the judge) who meticulously presents evidence and witnesses to validate His claims, mirroring a courtroom proceeding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness") underscores a profound theological truth: while God's truth is inherently self-authenticating, He often condescends to human understanding and legal frameworks to reveal Himself. Jesus, as God incarnate, does not *need* external validation to be true, but He graciously provides it to those who are bound by human legal principles. This demonstrates God's desire for humanity to believe based on credible evidence, not blind assertion. It also highlights the unity within the Godhead, as the Father, the Spirit, and Jesus' works all bear witness to His divine identity, preventing any accusation that Jesus is merely a self-proclaimed prophet without corroboration. This principle of corroboration is vital for understanding how God reveals Himself, not just through direct revelation, but also through multiple, converging lines of evidence.

* [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses")
* [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Two or Three Witnesses")
* [2 Corinthians 13:1](/2_corinthians/13-1 "2 Corinthians 13:1 - Every Word Confirmed by Two or Three Witnesses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness") offers rich lessons for contemporary believers. Firstly, it reminds us of the importance of credible witness in our own lives and in the proclamation of the Gospel. Just as Jesus presented multiple lines of evidence, our faith is not a mere subjective feeling but is grounded in historical facts, the consistent testimony of Scripture, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, and the changed lives of believers. Our actions and character should corroborate the truth we proclaim, giving weight to our verbal witness. Secondly, Jesus' humility in submitting to human legal principles, even when He transcends them, challenges us to engage with others respectfully, understanding their frameworks and meeting them where they are, rather than simply asserting our truth. This strategic humility can open doors for more effective communication of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does my life "bear witness" to the truth of Christ, and how might I strengthen that witness?**
* **How can I, like Jesus, engage in conversations about faith with humility and strategic understanding of others' perspectives?**
* **What "witnesses" (e.g., Scripture, personal experience, community) do I rely on to affirm my faith, and how can I articulate them more clearly?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus mean that He is a liar or that His words are inherently false?**

Answer: No, Jesus does not mean that He is a liar or that His words are inherently false. The KJV translation "not true" in [John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness") must be understood within its specific legal and cultural context. According to Jewish law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses")), a single witness's testimony was not legally valid or sufficient to establish a case. Jesus is acknowledging this legal standard. He is saying that if His *only* witness were Himself, His testimony would not be considered *admissible* or *corroborated* by His Jewish accusers, who were bound by these laws. He is not questioning His own inherent truthfulness, but rather strategically conceding to their legal framework before presenting a multitude of undeniable witnesses to His divine identity and mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness"), though seemingly a concession, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the ultimate truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), willingly submits to the human need for corroboration, foreshadowing how God would provide abundant evidence for His Son's identity. The "witnesses" Jesus subsequently presents—the Father ([John 5:32](/john/5-32 "John 5:32 - The Father's Witness")), John the Baptist ([John 5:33](/john/5-33 "John 5:33 - John the Baptist's Witness")), His miraculous works ([John 5:36](/john/5-36 "John 5:36 - The Witness of Jesus' Works")), and the Scriptures ([John 5:39](/john/5-39 "John 5:39 - The Witness of the Scriptures"))—all converge to testify to Him as the promised Messiah. This culminates in the ultimate witness: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")), which definitively validates all His claims. Furthermore, after His ascension, the Holy Spirit is sent as another witness ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit of Truth Bears Witness")), empowering the Church to continue bearing witness to Christ "to the end of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")). Thus, Jesus' strategic humility in [John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Self-Witness") lays the groundwork for the comprehensive and multifaceted divine testimony that establishes Him as the Savior of the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 27:2

¶ Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

John 8:54

Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

Revelation 3:14

¶ 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;

John 8:13

The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

John 8:14

Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, [yet] my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.