John 5:31

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 5:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
John 5:31 — American Standard Version

Context — John 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If I bear witness of myself, etc.] Which was not allowed any man to do; nor indeed is it proper that a man should be a witness in his own cause: and, according to the Jewish canons, a man might not be a witness for his wife, because she was reckoned as himself. “An husband is not to be believed in bearing witness for his wife, that had been carried captive, that she is not defiled, wmx[l dy[m µda ˆyaç, “for no man witness of himself” f248.” So likewise they say f249, “a city that is subdued by an army, all the priestesses (or priests’ daughters) that are found in it are rejected (from the priesthood, as defiled); but if they have witnesses, whether a servant, or an handmaid, lo, they are to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If I . . . witness of myself--standing alone, and setting up any separate interest.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If I bear witness of myself - If I have no other evidence than my own testimony about myself. My witness - My testimony; my evidence. The proof would not be decisive. Is not true - The word “true,” here, means worthy of belief, or established by suitable evidence. See Matthew 22:16; “We Know that thou art true” - that is, worthy of confidence, or that thou hast been truly sent from God, Luke 20:21; John 8:13, John 8:17. The law did not admit a man to testify in his own case, but required two witnesses, Deuteronomy 17:6. Though what Jesus said was true John 8:13, John 8:17, yet he admitted it was not sufficient testimony alone to claim their belief. They had a right to expect that his…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“If I testify of myself - That is, if I alone, (which indeed is impossible,) my testimony is not valid. John 5:32”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:31-40 God’s law requires more than one witness in a trial (Deut 17:6), so Jesus acknowledged that his own testimony was admissible only when confirmed by other witnesses. Thus, he introduced a series of witnesses for his defense.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Joh 8:13, Joh 8:14, Joh 8:54; Pro 27:2; Rev 3:14 John 5:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification