(43-18a)
For this week’s study:
- Any time you read or study the Bible, always start with prayer, asking God to guide you, so you understand God’s message and learn His methods for living.
- Read John 5:31-47 several times using your Bible, and the two translations provided below, to understand the boundaries, content and flow of the study passage. (Reading the passage once a day from any of those translations is recommended.)
- Read and respond to the “Study Guide” and use the “Study Resources” provided below to learn more from this study passage.
Read the Passage
Berean Standard Bible
(BSB)
Testimonies about Jesus
<31>If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. <32>There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.
<33>33You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. <34>Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved.
<35>John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. <36>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. <37>And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, <38>nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent.
The Witness of Scripture
(Luke 16:19–31)
<39>You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, <40>yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.
<41>I do not accept glory from men, <42>but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you. <43>I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. <44>How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
<45>Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. <46>If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. <47>But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”
Word Come Alive
(WCA)
(An extended translation)*
Witnesses to Jesus
<31>‘If I bear witness to myself, then you will say that such evidence is not valid. <32>However, someone else, the Father, bears witness in support of me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me—the evidence he brings—is valid. <33>You have sent messengers to John the Baptist, and he has given evidence of the truth. <34>I do not need to depend on human testimony to prove who I am, but I say these things in order that you may be saved. <35>John was a lamp that burnt and shone brightly. His words were a source of joy to you, and you chose for a while to enjoy his light.
<36>‘But there is a witness that is more important than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete—the miraculous works I am now doing—are evidence of my true identity, that the Father has sent me. <37>The Father who has sent me has himself borne witness to me. You’ve never heard his voice nor seen his form; <38>neither has his message found a home in your hearts, because you don’t believe I am the One he sent. <39>It’s all very well you studying the Scriptures carefully, believing that in them you have eternal life, and in fact these Scriptures bear witness to me. <40>However, you refuse to actually come to me to find real life.
<41>‘I do not say these things to seek mere human praise; <42>in any case I know what you are really like. I know that in your hearts you lack true love for God. <43>I have come with my Father’s authority, but you refuse to have anything to do with me. However, I know that if someone else comes with their own authority, you will welcome them with open arms. <44>Your priority is to build up your own reputations while you neglect to seek the praise that comes from the only true God. So how can you really believe?
<45>‘Don’t think that I will accuse you in the presence of the Father. The one who accuses you is actually Moses, the one you’ve put your confidence in. <46>If you genuinely believed Moses, you would believe me, because Moses wrote about me.1 <47>But if you refuse to believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’
* Words in italics are not translated from the original Greek text. They have been added to explain and at times apply the text, much as a preacher does on a Sunday or notes do at the foot of the page in a study Bible. These additions are integrated with the text itself, and are in italics, so readers can see what has been explained, changed or added.
Study the Passage
Study Guide
Why should Jesus or anyone else testify about who Jesus is?
There are three key sources of testimony about Jesus in the following verses. What is the source of the testimony mentioned in each verse?
- Verse 33
- Verse 36
- Verse 39
What seems to be the desired or expected affect of these testimonies?
Based on this passage, what seems to be the dominate consensus of these testimonies?
What does God want you to know, feel, think, say or do?
Study Resources
To learn more about this study passage, go to
https://www.bibleref.com/John/5/John-5-31.html. Read the commentary of each verse in the study passage. (Also read the Context Summary and the Chapter Summary.)
If you have any questions about this passage, type the verse reference or your question in the search box at the top of
https://www.gotquestions.org/ and explore the results.
If you have a study Bible, read the footnotes and study notes and see how they help you understand this passage. Also check out any maps, charts and articles related to the study passage.
Thessalonian Faith 