Testimony on Jesus’ Behalf (Jn. 5:31-40)

If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified.  32 But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.  33 You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.  34 I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved.  35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.  36 But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.  37 Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.  39 You search the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf.  40 But you do not want to come to me to have life.

In defending his authority to heal on the Sabbath and his relationship with the Father, Jesus testified on his own behalf (Jn. 5:19-30; 8:14) but also conceded that according to the Law, a person’s testimony on his own behalf must be verified (Deut. 19:15).  Then he said that his testimony can be corroborated by John the Baptist, his miracles, the Father (God) Himself, and the Scriptures.  They will validate his claims that God the Father gave him the authority and power to do His works.  

Jesus reminded them that Jews from Jerusalem had sent priests and Levites to John the Baptist, whom the people regarded as a prophet sent from God, and had heard his testimony (Jn. 1:19-28).  John testified that Jesus was the Messiah they were expecting who was sent to save them, and Jesus said that John’s testimony about his identity, mission, and message was true.  Jesus said that he did not need human testimony but the purpose for speaking the truths he heard from his Father was for the salvation of those who hear and believe (Jn. 1:29-34).  John was a light that illuminated the truth and they initially rejoiced in his message but then accused him of being a demon (Lk. 7:34).

Jesus told them that he relied on divine testimony which is greater than John’s, and pointed to his words and works among the Jews as greater testimony.  His miracles and teaching could only have been done by someone sent from God, “If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything (Jn. 9:33).”  They were signs of his divinity and authority.  

Jesus called upon the testimony of the Father about his mission and identity and told the Jews that they did not recognize God’s testimony because they had never heard His voice, seen Him, or possessed His word; i.e., they had not received a direct revelation from God.  The Father is beyond their understanding, but he reveals his Father’s will to them.  

The scriptures testified on Jesus’ behalf and spoke of the coming of the Messiah (Deut. 18:15-19).  However, the Jews studied the scriptures believing they could have life through the scriptures.  The religious leaders would not accept the one God sent through whom they could have life.  Despite the evidence presented through His works, the testimony of John the Baptist, and the Scriptures themselves, the Jews refused to come to Him in faith, thereby missing out on the abundant life he offers.

Almighty God, help us to heed the testimony and divine witnesses of your dearly beloved Son and open our hearts to recognize him as the source of truth and salvation that leads to eternal life.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.