When Jesus speaks about this issue, he appears to contradict himself:
"If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true." (John 5:31, NKJV)
"Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true ..." (John 8:14, NKJV)
So which one is it? Both statements are in fact saying the same thing.
When Jesus says, "If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true." (John 5:31, NKJV) he's saying that without His Father's witness, His witness is not true. There has to be two witnesses, His own witness and His Father's witness. If you read John 5:31-47 (included below) Jesus explains:
1. The Father sent John to bear witness about Jesus
2. It is The Father (not John) who bears witness about Jesus
3. There are two witnesses: Jesus Himself and His Father
4. There are other witnesses - Jesus' works and the Scriptures that identify Him
When Jesus says, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true ..." (John 8:14, NKJV) he's saying that he's not alone because He's with His Father. There are two witness, Jesus Himself and His Father. If you read John 8:13-18 (included below) Jesus explains:
1. He is not alone, He is with the Father
2. There are two witnesses: Jesus Himself and His Father
There is no contradiction between the two statements. They are both saying the same thing.
John 5:31-47, NKJV
31 "If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
John
8:13-18, NKJV
13 The Pharisees therefore
said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not
true." 14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of
Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going;
but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge
according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge,
My judgment is true; for I am not alone,
but I am with the Father who sent
Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."
Copyright © 2013, Carter Kagume. May be used for
research purposes only. May not be used for any commercial purposes.