John 5:31 (WEB)
“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.
Fathers and councils · 29
Origen
“For it may be observed as a trait of the character of Jesus, that He on all occasions avoided unnecessary talk about Himself; and on that account said, “If I speak of Myself, My witness is not true.”” — editor's note: John v. 31.
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Irenaeus of Lyons
“In his book against Marcion, Justin does well say: “I would not have believed the Lord Himself, if He had announced any other than He who is our framer, maker, and nourisher.” — editor's note: Photius, 125, makes mention of Justin Martyr’s work, λόγοι κατὰ Μαρκίωνος. See also Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History, book iv. c. 18, where this passage of…
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Cyprian of Carthage
““If,” He says, “I bear witness of myself, my testimony is not true; but there is another who beareth witness of me.”” — editor's note: John v. 31, 32.
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Ambrose of Milan
“For He Himself has said: “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.”” — editor's note: S. John v. 31.
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John Chrysostom
“John v. 31, 32” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And as He said, “My witness is not true” ( c. v. 31 ), with reference to the opinion they would form of it, so also doth He speak here.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“What therefore He said at the beginning, “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true” ( c. v. 31 ), this He now implieth, desiring to render His testimony abundantly credible.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And indeed in many instances He replies to the secret thoughts of them that come unto Him; as when He saith, “We worship we know what;”and, “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.”” — editor's note: John v. 31.
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Augustine of Hippo
“On the words of the Gospel, John v. 31,“If I bear witness of myself,” etc.; and on the words of the apostle, Galatians v. 16, “Walk by the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — the author cites it
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Tertullian
“It is true that he tells us himself that he was a persecutor before he became an apostle, still this is not enough for any man who examines before he believes, since even the Lord Himself did not bear witness of Himself.” — editor's note: John v. 31.
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Catena Aurea on John
- John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
He now brings proof of those high declarations respecting Himself. He answers an objection: If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. These are Christ’s own words. But does not Christ in many places bear…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
He knew Himself that His witness of Himself was true, but in compassion to the weak and unbelieving, the Sun sought for candles, that their weak sight might not be dazzled by His full blaze. And therefore John was…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
Or thus; Christ, being both God and man, He shews the proper existence of both, by sometimes speaking according to the nature he took from man, sometimes according to the majesty of the Godhead. If I bear witness of…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
But according to the former interpretation, they might say to Him, If Thy witness is not true, how sayest Thou, I know that the witness of John is true? But His answer meets the objection: Ye sent unto John, and he…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
But he bore witness not to himself, but to the truth: as the friend of the truth, he bore witness to the truth, i. e. Christ. Our Lord, on His part, does not reject the witness of John, as not being necessary, but…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
Because I do not want it. John, though he bore witness, did it not that Christ might increase, but that men might be brought to the knowledge of Him.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Even the witness of John was the witness of God: for what he said, God taught him. But to anticipate their asking how it appeared that God taught John, as if the Jews had objected that John’s witness might not be…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
John was a candle lighted by Christ, the Light, burning with faith and love, shining in word and deed. He was sent before, to confound the enemies of Christ, according to the Psalm, I have ordained a lantern for Mine…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
I therefore direct you to John, not because I want his testimony, but that ye may be saved: for I have greater witness than that of John, i. e. that of my works; The works which the Father hath given Me to finish,…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
That He enlightens the blind, that He opens the deaf ear, looses the mouth of the dumb, casts out devils, raises the dead; these works bear witness of Christ.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on John
The Only-begotten God shews Himself to be the Son, on the testimony not of man only, but of His own power. The works which He does, bear witness to His being sent from the Father. Therefore the obedience of the Son…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
By His mission we must understand His incarnation. Lastly, He shews that God is incorporeal, and cannot be seen by the bodily eye: Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
The Jews might say, We heard the voice of the Lord at Sinai, and saw Him under the appearance of fire. If God then bears witness of Thee, we should know His voice. To which He replies, I have the witness of the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
How then says Moses, Ask—whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is: did ever people hear the voice of God, speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard and seen? (Deut. 4:32, 33)…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
For it is not by the carnal ear, but by the spiritual understanding, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, that God is heard. And they did not hear the spiritual voice, because they did not love or obey Him, nor saw…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
But it was impossible for them to declare that they had received, and obeyed God’s commands: and therefore He adds, Ye have not His word abiding in you; i. e. the commandments, the law, and the prophets; though God…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
Or thus; they cannot have abiding in them the Word which was in the beginning, who came not to keep in mind, or fulfil in practice, that word of God which they hear. Having mentioned the testimonies of John, and the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Or the connection may be given thus. They might say to Him, How, if we have never heard God’s voice, has God borne witness to you? So He says, Search the Scriptures; meaning that God had borne witness of Him by the…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
That coming is put for believing we know, Come unto Him, and be lightened. He adds, That ye might have life; (Ps. 33) For, if the soul which sinneth dies, they were dead in soul and mind. And therefore He promises…
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Cross-references · 20
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 22.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 22.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 22.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 22.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 22.
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in John Chrysostom on John 5:31–40 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.6.
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.
Cited together in Against Celsus I.48.