Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
But the witness which I have is greater than that of John (Egw de exw thn marturian meizw tou Iwanou). Literally, "But I have the witness greater than John's." Meizw (meizona) is predicate accusative and Iwanou is ablative of comparison after meizw. Good as the witness of John is, Christ has superior testimony.
To accomplish (ina teleiwsw). Final clause with ina and first aorist active subjunctive of teleiow, the same idiom in John 4:34. Jesus felt keenly the task laid on him by the Father (cf. John 3:35) and claimed at the end that he had performed it (John 17:4; John 19:30). Jesus held that the highest form of faith did not require these "works" (erga) as in John 2:23; John 10:38; John 14:11. But these "works" bear the seal of the Father's approval (John 5:20, John 5:36; John 10:25) and to reject their witness is wrong (John 10:25; John 10:37 f.; John 15:24).
The very works (auta ta erga). "The works themselves," repeating ta erga just before for vernacular emphasis.
Hath sent me (me apestalken). Perfect active indicative of apostellw, the permanence of the mission. Cf. John 3:17. The continuance of the witness is emphasized in John 5:32; John 8:18.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 5:36:
Matthew 11:20
John 3:17
John 4:34
John 5:20
John 5:31
John 5:32
John 5:36
John 8:13
John 8:19
John 10:25
John 11:42
1 Corinthians 1:25
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
Start Your Day with Scripture
Begin each morning with God's Word — the Berean delivers a daily verse and insightful commentary to spark reflection and growth.
Join 140,000+ fellow believers on this journey.
