Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
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" John 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, John 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.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing John 5:36:
Malachi 3:1
John 5:32
John 10:34-38
John 12:44
John 14:10
Acts 2:22
1 Corinthians 2:8
1 Corinthians 8:6
Philippians 3:12
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