The Gospel of John 5:31-47 (The testimony about Jesus.) – Angelic Wars

The Gospel of John 5:31-47 (The testimony about Jesus.)



 

Now we move forward in John 5:31-47 where Jesus tells the religious leaders who validates him.

31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.

33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study[c] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

Questions for discussion:

  1. Jesus mentions John the Baptist, not to validate the Messiah, but “mention[ed] it that you may be saved.” What did he mean by that?  What role did John the Baptist play in the coming of the Messiah?”
  2. Is there Scriptural support for, “For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me?”
  3. What did Jesus mean by, “…nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent?”
  4. Since we have started this study, do you feel like the Word is starting to dwell in you? Please explain.



Leave a Comment:

12 comments
Ashaba Timothy says July 31, 2023

John was the” greatest” he held a honor of being chosen by God as forerunner to the coming of jesus

Reply
    Rick says July 31, 2023

    I agree. But Jesus limited John’s glory by listing people like you and me. “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11). In other words, John the Baptist was a great prophet, but those of us who believe in Jesus by faith and not seeing will be greater because we make our decisions by faith.

    Reply
      Ashaba Timothy says July 31, 2023

      I agree with with you too

      Reply
Ashaba Timothy says July 31, 2023

John’s role was to tell people about the coming of Messiah. He did this by telling people to repent as the kingdom of heaven was near . Baptism was ajewish ritual. People were immersed into water to symbolise the sign of repentance. The coming of John was all about repentance.

Reply
    Rick says August 1, 2023

    I agree with you. I also like the comment about Jewish Baptism. In Jesus’s day, I believe the Essenes sect was submersing people into water. Today it is called Tvilah, not baptism in the Jewish religion. The tvilah is the act of immersion in naturally-sourced water, called a mikva. I would argue that the Jewish Tvilah, though similar in sight, differs from Christian baptism who calls on the Holy Spirit.

    Reply
Ashaba Timothy says July 31, 2023

Question no 2;
God sent him in his image ( col 1: 15)
Col 3:23-24

Reply
    Rick says August 1, 2023

    Thanks for your response. I agree with Col 1:15, one of the quotes I am memorizing. I am not sure how Col 3:23-24, except that it is a great verse.

    Reply
Ashaba Timothy says July 31, 2023

Question no 3 .
People were confused about the coming of jesus , so they were un able to believe in his word sent through him by God because they have never heard his voice and seen his form.

Reply
    Rick says August 3, 2023

    Hmm. Interesting. You are taking a visual and audio reaction to Jesus’s speech.

    Reply
Ashaba Timothy says July 31, 2023

Question no 4;
Yes ; the word of God is ever interesting and educative through faith and believing the deeds done by begotten son , jesus Christ as it it stated ” blessed are those who have not seen but believe ”.

Reply
    Rick says August 1, 2023

    Great to hear!

    Reply
Rick says August 3, 2023

1. Jesus mentions John the Baptist, not to validate the Messiah, but “mention[ed] it that you may be saved.” What did he mean by that? What role did John the Baptist play in the coming of the Messiah?”

We will learn that the presence of John the Baptist is a fulfillment of a prophecy of one coming before the Messiah as written in Isaiah 40:2-5. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Jesus states this directly in Matthew 17:10-13: “ The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

2. Is there Scriptural support for, “For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me?”

Jesus now directly explains that his actions prove he is the Messiah as stated in Isaiah 5:4-5 “Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy.”

3. What did Jesus mean by, “…nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent?”

It is interesting that Jesus uses the term, “word” in what does not dwell in the people. John (the writer of the Gospel) has already established Jesus as the “Word.” However, we learn from Acts that the person that dwells in us is the Holy Spirit, which could not come to us unless Jesus went back to the Father. “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. (John 14:15-17)

4. Since we have started this study, do you feel like the Word is starting to dwell in you? Please explain.

I lead this bible study and one as an online missionary. I always learn and feel God’s presence. The trick is that in order for us to feel God’s presence, we much “fight the good fight” to resist sin. That means to not just give in and to look at areas that troublesome, and give them to God. This should be a daily exercise.

Reply
Add Your Reply