John 5:36

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} I {G1473} have {G2192} greater {G3187} witness {G3141} than that of John {G2491}: for {G1063} the works {G2041} which {G3739} the Father {G3962} hath given {G1325} me {G3427} to {G2443} finish {G5048}{G846}, the same {G846} works {G2041} that {G3739} I {G1473} do {G4160}, bear witness {G3140} of {G4012} me {G1700}, that {G3754} the Father {G3962} hath sent {G649} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“But I have a testimony that is greater than Yochanan’s. For the things the Father has given me to do, the very things I am doing now, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.

Berean Standard Bible

But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

American Standard Version

But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 5:36 presents Jesus' compelling argument for His divine authority, asserting that the miraculous works He performs are a superior testimony to His identity and mission than even the respected witness of John the Baptist. These works, specifically entrusted to Him by the Father to complete, serve as undeniable proof that He is indeed the Son sent by God, validating His claims and revealing the Father's active presence in His ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Jesus' defense before the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, following His healing of a paralytic on the Sabbath (John 5:1-18). Their accusations of Sabbath-breaking and blasphemy (for claiming equality with God) prompt Jesus' extended discourse (John 5:19-47). Having acknowledged John the Baptist's testimony as true but insufficient as His sole validation (John 5:31-35), Jesus now pivots to a "greater witness"—His own works. This transition highlights a progression in the quality of evidence presented, moving from human testimony to divine demonstration, setting the stage for further arguments concerning the Father's witness, the Scriptures, and the ultimate rejection by those who refuse to believe.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish leaders' intense scrutiny of Jesus stemmed from their strict interpretation of the Mosaic Law, particularly regarding the Sabbath. Healing on the Sabbath was considered "work" and thus unlawful in their eyes. Furthermore, Jesus' claim to be God's Son and to work in unity with the Father (John 5:17-18) was perceived as blasphemy, punishable by death. In this context, "witness" (Greek: _martyria_) was a crucial concept in Jewish legal proceedings, requiring multiple testimonies to establish truth. Jesus' appeal to His "works" as a witness would have resonated with the expectation of divine signs accompanying a true prophet or Messiah, yet it challenged their preconceived notions of how God would operate and validate His messenger.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent in the Gospel of John and this specific chapter. It underscores the **divine authority of Jesus**, demonstrating that His actions are not self-initiated but directly commissioned by the Father, as seen in His declaration that "[the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son's Dependence on the Father")". It emphasizes the **Father's active role in sending and empowering the Son**, validating Jesus' identity as the Messiah and God's unique agent of salvation. The "works" themselves become a central theme, serving as tangible evidence of God's presence and power, a theme further developed as Jesus later points to His miracles as proof of His identity, as in [John 10:37-38](/john/10-37-38 "John 10:37-38 - Believe the Works"). Ultimately, the verse highlights the **irrefutable nature of God's testimony** concerning His Son, contrasting it with human skepticism and unbelief.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Works (Greek, _érgon'_):** This term (G2041) signifies toil, effort, or an act. In the context of Jesus, it refers not merely to individual miracles but to the entire scope of His divinely empowered ministry—His teachings, healings, exorcisms, and ultimately, His death and resurrection. These are not random acts but purposeful deeds that manifest God's power, character, and redemptive plan.
* **Witness (Greek, _martyría'_):** Derived from G3141, this word denotes evidence given, testimony, or report. It carries a strong legal connotation, implying a verifiable attestation of truth. Here, Jesus asserts that His works provide irrefutable, divine testimony to His claims, standing as objective proof that He is who He says He is.
* **Sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This verb (G649) means "to send out, properly, on a mission." It highlights Jesus' divine commission and authority. The Father did not merely endorse Jesus; He actively dispatched Him with a specific purpose, and the works Jesus performs are the visible proof of this divine sending and the authority inherent in it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I have greater witness than [that] of John:"** Jesus contrasts the testimony of John the Baptist, which He acknowledged as true and significant (John 5:33), with an even more compelling and authoritative form of witness. While John pointed to Jesus, Jesus' own actions provide a direct, divine authentication that surpasses any human endorsement, however revered.
* **"for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me,"** This is the core of Jesus' argument. The "works" (Greek: _erga_) encompass His entire ministry, particularly His miracles and teachings, which are not self-initiated but are specifically "given" (Greek: _didomi_) by the Father. The phrase "to finish" (Greek: _teleioo_) implies a divinely appointed task or mission that Jesus is actively completing. These very works, performed by Jesus, serve as a living, undeniable testimony (Greek: _martyreo_) to His identity.
* **"that the Father hath sent me."** The ultimate purpose and conclusion of this divine witness is to affirm Jesus' unique relationship with the Father and His divine commission. The works are irrefutable proof that Jesus is the Father's chosen messenger, the one "sent" (Greek: _apostello_) into the world to accomplish God's redemptive purposes. This statement directly refutes the Jewish leaders' accusations of blasphemy by grounding Jesus' authority in the Father's explicit action.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Argumentation** is central, as Jesus systematically builds His case for divine authority, moving from a lesser witness (John) to a greater one (His works). This progression demonstrates a logical and compelling presentation of truth. **Metonymy** is present in "the works," where the actions stand in for the divine power and presence that enable them. The "works" are not just deeds, but manifestations of God Himself. There is also a strong element of **Assertion** and **Declaration**, as Jesus confidently states His unique relationship with the Father and the irrefutable evidence supporting it, directly challenging the skepticism of His audience. The entire passage is structured as a **Discourse**, a formal and extended speech designed to persuade and instruct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:36 is foundational for understanding Jesus' unique identity and mission. It establishes that Jesus' authority is not self-proclaimed but divinely conferred and visibly demonstrated through His actions. The "works" are not merely impressive feats; they are the Father's signature on the Son's ministry, confirming His divine origin and purpose. This concept of divine attestation through works is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God validates His messengers and His truth through powerful demonstrations of His presence and power. It underscores the active, relational dynamic between the Father and the Son, where the Father empowers the Son to accomplish His will, and the Son's obedience brings glory to the Father.

* [Acts 2:22](/acts/2-22 "Acts 2:22 - Jesus Attested by God")
* [Hebrews 2:3-4](/hebrews/2-3-4 "Hebrews 2:3-4 - God's Attestation of Salvation")
* [John 10:25](/john/10-25 "John 10:25 - Jesus' Works Testify of Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' reliance on the Father's works as His primary witness profoundly challenges us to consider where we place our trust and what evidence we deem credible. For the Jewish leaders, their traditions and interpretations blinded them to the clear evidence of God working through Jesus. For us, this verse calls us to look beyond mere words or human opinions and to discern the active hand of God in the world, particularly through the ongoing work of Christ in and through His body, the Church. Just as Jesus' life was a living testimony, our lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are meant to be "works" that bear witness to the Father who sent His Son. Our actions, motivated by love and obedience, should reflect the character of God and point others to the truth of the Gospel, demonstrating the reality of Christ living within us. This requires a life of integrity, compassion, and faithfulness, allowing God's power to be manifest through our service and witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "works" in your life or the lives of other believers have you witnessed that bear testimony to God's active presence and power?**
* **In what ways might your daily actions and character serve as a "witness" for Christ to those around you?**
* **How does understanding that Jesus' works were "given" by the Father deepen your appreciation for His divine mission and authority?**

### FAQ
**What are the "works" Jesus refers to in John 5:36?**
Answer: The "works" (Greek: _erga_) Jesus refers to are not limited to His miraculous healings or signs, though these are certainly included. More broadly, they encompass the entirety of His mission and ministry—His authoritative teaching, His casting out of demons, His acts of compassion, and ultimately, His sacrificial death and resurrection. These are all divinely empowered actions that manifest God's character, power, and redemptive purpose, serving as irrefutable evidence of His divine origin and His unique relationship with the Father. Jesus consistently pointed to these works as proof of His identity and the truth of His claims, as seen in [John 14:10-11](/john/14-10-11 "John 14:10-11 - Believe Me for the Works' Sake").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:36 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the completed work of Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. While Jesus' earthly ministry was filled with "works" that bore witness to His divine sending, the pinnacle of the Father's commission was the Son's obedient sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity. This "work" of redemption, prophesied throughout the Old Testament and perfectly accomplished by Christ, is the supreme testimony to God's love and justice. When Jesus declared, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Finished Work")" from the cross, He was affirming the completion of the very works the Father had given Him to do, including the ultimate act of salvation. The resurrection then serves as the Father's final, undeniable attestation that Jesus' claims were true and His mission accomplished, validating Him as "[declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")". Thus, the works of Christ, culminating in His death and resurrection, stand as the eternal, irrefutable witness that the Father has indeed sent Him to be the Savior of the world, fulfilling the promise of a new covenant (see [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

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

John 10:25

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

John 15:24

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

John 10:37

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

John 10:38

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.

John 2:23

¶ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

John 9:30

The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and [yet] he hath opened mine eyes.

John 9:33

If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.