John 5:33-35

JOHN THE BAPTIST'S WITNESS

Text 5:33-35

33

Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth.

34

But the witness which I receive is not from man: howbeit I say these things, that ye may be saved.

35

He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.

Queries

a.

Why does He not receive witness from man?

b.

How did they rejoice in the Baptist's light?

Paraphrase

You yourselves have sent unto John, and he has testified the truth concerning me. Although I am not dependent upon mere man for witness, I am telling you these things in order that you might accept John's witness and be saved. John was the lamp that was burning and shining to guide you to the Way, and you were willing for a time to bask yourselves in his light.

Summary

Since they stumble at His self-witnessing, He refers them to John the Baptist's witness that they might be led to accept Him.

Comment

They had, indeed, sent unto John asking him of his preaching (John 5:1-19), and John confessed to the truth (John 1:20; John 1:26; John 1:29; John 1:35-36, etc.) that Jesus was the Son of God. John also testified that Jesus and the Father were one (John 3:31-36).

On the other hand, Jesus did not need any mortal to take the witness stand on His behalf. He could call upon divine witness. Yet, because of the hardness of their hearts and their spiritual blindness, He urged them to consider John's witness. The Baptist's witness was true, and they had shown some interest in his message at first (John 5:35 b).

Barclay gives an interesting analogous comparison of John the Baptist and a lamp: (a) A lamp bears a borrowed light. It is not the source of light, but is lit. (b) John's message was warmnot coldly intellectual or ritualistic. (c) John had lightlight guideshe guided men to repent in preparation for the coming King and His kingdom. (d) A lamp burns itself out. John decreased while Jesus increasedthe true witness for God burns himself out-in the service of God.

The emphasis upon the attracting nature of the lamp is in this passage also. The Jews flocked to John the Baptist in the beginning of his ministry, just as insects flock to a lamp (cf. Matthew 3:5; Matthew 21:26; Mark 1:5; Mark 6:20; Luke 3:15). They rejoiced in his message (of the coming Messiah) until that light turned upon them and revealed their worldliness and sin. They were also attracted to John because of his eccentric and spectacular mode of dress, life, and the presentation of his message. The spectacular in John's ministry soon lost its drawing attraction, however, when he boldly challenged the nation to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and they rejected him (cf. Mark 6:19; Luke 7:24-35). There are people like that in every age. As long as a preacher will make himself or the gospel into a spectacle they will rejoice for a season in his light (the spectacle), but once the light illumines their unworthiness and pricks their consciences by openly denouncing their sins, they haughtily reject both the preacher and the message (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1-4).

Quiz

1.

Where is the record of the Baptist's witness to Jesus?

2.

Why did Jesus call their attention to the witness of John?

3.

How is John the lamp burning and shining?

4.

How did the Jews rejoice in his light for only a season?