John 5:33

33 John is the one to whom you sent your messengers, and he spoke on behalf of the truth. ¹

John 5:33 Meaning and Commentary

John 5:33

Ye sent unto John
The sanhedrim at Jerusalem made a deputation of priests and Levites to him, to know who he was, whether the Messiah, or Elias, or that prophet, ( John 1:19 ) . Now had they not looked upon him, from what they knew of him, or from the character they had of him, as a faithful witness, they would never have shown him so much respect, and have been at so much pains, and charge, as to send such a body of men so far unto him, as from Jerusalem to beyond Jordan; which circumstance our Lord improves in favour of this evidence he produces:

and he bare witness unto the truth;
to Christ, who is the truth itself; and to the truth of his person, and office; to his dignity, and eternity, as being before him, though coming after him; and to his divine sonship, the thing now in debate, declaring, that he was the Son of God; and to his office, as Mediator, pointing to him as the Lamb of God, who, by his blood, and sacrifice, takes away the sins of men. The Ethiopic version reads by way of interrogation, "did not you send unto John?" &c.

John 5:33 In-Context

31 "If I testify on my own behalf, what I say is not to be accepted as real proof.

32 But there is someone else who testifies on my behalf, and I know that what he says about me is true.

33 John is the one to whom you sent your messengers, and he spoke on behalf of the truth.

34 It is not that I must have a human witness; I say this only in order that you may be saved.

35 John was like a lamp, burning and shining, and you were willing for a while to enjoy his light.

Cross References

• 1. 5.33John 1.19-27; 3.27-30.