John 19:35

35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

John 19:35 in Other Translations

35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

35 He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth--that you also may believe.

35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe. )

35 The eyewitness to these things has presented an accurate report. He saw it himself and is telling the truth so that you, also, will believe.

35 He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.

John 19:35 Meaning and Commentary

John 19:35

And he that saw it, bare record
Meaning himself, John the evangelist, the writer of this Gospel, who, in his great modesty, frequently conceals himself, under one circumlocution or another; he was an eyewitness of this fact, not only of the piercing of his side with a spear, but of the blood and water flowing out of it; which he saw with his eyes, and bore record of to others, and by this writing; and was ready to attest it in any form it should be desired:

and his record is true;
though it is not mentioned by any of the other evangelists, none of them but himself being present at that time: and he knoweth that he saith true;
meaning either God or Christ, who knew all things; and so it is a sort of appeal to God or Christ, for the truth of what he affirmed, as some think; or rather himself, who was fully assured that he was under no deception, and was far from telling an untruth; having seen the thing done with his eyes, and being led into the mystery of it by the Divine Spirit; see ( 1 John 5:6 1 John 5:8 ) wherefore he could, and did declare it with the strongest asseverations:

that ye might believe;
the truth of the fact, and in Christ, both for the expiation of the guilt of sin, and cleansing from the filth of it; both for sanctifying and justifying grace, which the water and the blood were an emblem of.

John 19:35 In-Context

33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”

37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

Cross References

• 1. S Luke 24:48
• 2. John 15:27; John 21:24