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Selected Verse: John 5:36 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 5:36	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
I have greater witness--rather, "The witness which I have is greater." the works . . . bear witness of me--not simply as miracles nor even as a miracle of mercy, but these miracles, as He did them, with a will and a power, a majesty and a grace manifestly His own.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

I have greater witness--rather, "The witness which I have is greater."

the works . . . bear witness of me--not simply as miracles nor even as a miracle of mercy, but these miracles, as He did them, with a will and a power, a majesty and a grace manifestly His own.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Greater witness - Stronger, more decisive evidence. The works - The miracles - healing the sick and raising the dead. Hath given me - Hath committed to me, or appointed me to do. Certain things he intrusted in his hands to accomplish. To finish - To do or to perform until the task is completed. The word is applied to the "termination" of anything, as we say a task is "ended" or a work is completed. So Jesus said, when he expired, It is "finished" Joh 19:30. From this it appears that Jesus came to "accomplish" a certain work; and hence we see the reason why he so often guarded his life and sought his safety until the task was fully completed. These works or miracles bore witness of him; that is, they showed that he was sent from God, because none but God could perform them, and because God would not give such power to any whose life and doctrines he did not approve. They were more decisive proof than the testimony of John, because: 1. John worked no miracles, Joh 10:41. 2. It was possible that a man might be deceived or be an impostor. It was not possible for God to deceive. 3. The miracles which Jesus performed were such as no human being could work, and no angel. He that could raise the dead must have all power, and he who commissioned Jesus, therefore, must be God.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Greater witness - Stronger, more decisive evidence.

The works - The miracles - healing the sick and raising the dead.

Hath given me - Hath committed to me, or appointed me to do. Certain things he intrusted in his hands to accomplish.

To finish - To do or to perform until the task is completed. The word is applied to the "termination" of anything, as we say a task is "ended" or a work is completed. So Jesus said, when he expired, It is "finished" Joh 19:30. From this it appears that Jesus came to "accomplish" a certain work; and hence we see the reason why he so often guarded his life and sought his safety until the task was fully completed. These works or miracles bore witness of him; that is, they showed that he was sent from God, because none but God could perform them, and because God would not give such power to any whose life and doctrines he did not approve. They were more decisive proof than the testimony of John, because:

1. John worked no miracles, Joh 10:41.

2. It was possible that a man might be deceived or be an impostor. It was not possible for God to deceive.

3. The miracles which Jesus performed were such as no human being could work, and no angel. He that could raise the dead must have all power, and he who commissioned Jesus, therefore, must be God.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Greater witness (τήν μαρτυρίαν μείζω) The article, omitted in A.V., has the force of my, as in Joh 5:34. Rev., the witness which I have is greater. Hath given See on Joh 5:22. To finish (ἵνα τελειώσω) Literally, in order that I should accomplish. Rev., accomplish. See on Joh 4:34. The same works (αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα) Rev., more correctly, the very works.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Greater witness (τήν μαρτυρίαν μείζω)

The article, omitted in A.V., has the force of my, as in Joh 5:34. Rev., the witness which I have is greater.

Hath given

See on Joh 5:22.

To finish (ἵνα τελειώσω)

Literally, in order that I should accomplish. Rev., accomplish. See on Joh 4:34.

The same works (αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα)

Rev., more correctly, the very works.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But I have greater witness - However decisive the judgment of such a man as John may be, who was the lamp of Israel, a miracle of grace, filled with the spirit of Elijah, and more than any prophet, because he pointed out, not the Messiah who was to come, but the Messiah who was already come: nevertheless, I am not obliged to depend on his testimony alone; for I have a greater one, that of Him whom you acknowledge to be your God. And how do I prove that this God bears testimony to me? By my works: these miracles, which attest my mission, and prove by themselves that nothing less than unlimited power and boundless love could ever produce them. By my word only, I have perfectly and instantly healed a man who was diseased thirty and eight years. Ye see the miracle - the man is before you whole and sound. Why then do ye not believe in my mission, that ye may embrace my doctrine, and be saved?

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

But I have greater witness - However decisive the judgment of such a man as John may be, who was the lamp of Israel, a miracle of grace, filled with the spirit of Elijah, and more than any prophet, because he pointed out, not the Messiah who was to come, but the Messiah who was already come: nevertheless, I am not obliged to depend on his testimony alone; for I have a greater one, that of Him whom you acknowledge to be your God. And how do I prove that this God bears testimony to me? By my works: these miracles, which attest my mission, and prove by themselves that nothing less than unlimited power and boundless love could ever produce them. By my word only, I have perfectly and instantly healed a man who was diseased thirty and eight years. Ye see the miracle - the man is before you whole and sound. Why then do ye not believe in my mission, that ye may embrace my doctrine, and be saved?

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