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John 8:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 8:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true.
John 8:17 — American Standard Version

Context — John 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14Jesus answered and said unto them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I come, or whither I go.
15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true.
18I am he that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
19They said therefore unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye know neither me, nor my Father: if ye knew me, ye would know my Father also.
20These words spake he in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man took him; because his hour was not yet come.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is also written in your law, etc.] The law of Moses, which was given unto them, and they boasted of; the passage referred to is in (<051915>Deuteronomy 19:15); see also (<051706>Deuteronomy 17:6); where though what follows is not to be found in so many words, yet the sense is there expressed: that the testimony of two men is true: concerning which the Jewish writers say f381, “they used not to determine any judiciary matter by the mouth of one witness, neither pecuniary causes, nor causes of life and death, as it is said, (<051706>Deuteronomy 17:6). It is asked f382 in their oral law, if the testimony of two men stand, why does the Scripture particularly mention three? (for no other…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In your law - Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15. Compare Matthew 18:16. This related to cases in which the life of an individual was involved. Jesus says that if, in such a case, the testimony of two men were sufficient to establish a fact, his own testimony and that of his Father ought to be esteemed ample evidence in the case of religious doctrine. Two men - If two men could confirm a case, the evidence of Jesus and of God ought not to be deemed insufficient. Is true - In Deuteronomy, “established.” This means the same thing. It is confirmed; is worthy of belief. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“Deu 19:15. John 8:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“also: Joh 10:34, Joh 15:25; Gal 3:24, Gal 4:21 that: Deu 17:6, Deu 19:15; Kg1 21:10; Mat 18:16; Co2 13:1; Heb 10:28; Jo1 5:9; Rev 11:3 John 8:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification