Joh 5:33-35 | KingComments | STEP | John is the first of the four witnesses the Lord gives to testify of Him. They themselves had sent priests and Levites to John to hear from him whether he was the Christ ( ). From them, they heard John’s testimony concerning Him, but they did not believe. As God the Son, He does not need the testimony of the man John. Never does God depend on a man’s testimony to prove Himself. But in referring to the testimony of John, the Lord meets them as much as possible. As a human being there has been no clearer witness than John. As a “burning” lamp, John was a fiery witness. It points to his inner drive. As a “shining” lamp, John radiated the truth. It points to what people saw and heard of him. His performance caused a stir and the Jews rejoiced for a while because they felt it pointed to something special. But they did not submit to the message of repentance that John preached. That is why it was only a temporary experience and they are now revealing themselves as opponents of Him Whom John pointed out. John was a lamp. He brought light and warmth as a weak forerunner of Him Who shines like the sun. Once the sun shines, he does not need a lamp to shine on him. The Lord Jesus shines for them like the sun in his power (cf. ).

‏ John 5:33-35

First Testimony: of John

John is the first of the four witnesses the Lord gives to testify of Him. They themselves had sent priests and Levites to John to hear from him whether he was the Christ (Jn 1:19-28). From them, they heard John’s testimony concerning Him, but they did not believe. As God the Son, He does not need the testimony of the man John. Never does God depend on a man’s testimony to prove Himself. But in referring to the testimony of John, the Lord meets them as much as possible.

As a human being there has been no clearer witness than John. As a “burning” lamp, John was a fiery witness. It points to his inner drive. As a “shining” lamp, John radiated the truth. It points to what people saw and heard of him. His performance caused a stir and the Jews rejoiced for a while because they felt it pointed to something special. But they did not submit to the message of repentance that John preached. That is why it was only a temporary experience and they are now revealing themselves as opponents of Him Whom John pointed out.

John was a lamp. He brought light and warmth as a weak forerunner of Him Who shines like the sun. Once the sun shines, he does not need a lamp to shine on him. The Lord Jesus shines for them like the sun in his power (cf. Mal 4:2).