John 5:34

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

John 5:34 Meaning and Commentary

John 5:34

But I receive not testimony from man
He stood in no need of an human testimony, nor did he rest the truth of his deity and divine sonship thereon: he had other and greater testimonies to produce; as he needed not that any man should testify of man to him, he had no need that any man should testify of him; and if the testimony of men was received, as this of John could not well be objected to, the testimony of God is greater, and which he had; and therefore should not have mentioned John's for his own sake:

but these things I say, that ye might be saved;
that is, he produced this testimony of John, who was a person of so great a character among them, that they might be induced by it to believe in him as the Messiah; and so be saved from that ruin and destruction, that would come upon their nation, city, and temple, for their rejection and disbelief of him.

John 5:34 In-Context

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.

36 But I have a witness on my behalf which is even greater than the witness that John gave: what I do, that is, the deeds my Father gave me to do, these speak on my behalf and show that the Father has sent me.