YHN 5:36 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) But I have a stronger testimony than Yohan’s because the father has entrusted works to me to complete, and which I’m already doing and which clearly show that the father sent me here.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But I have the testimony that is greater than that of John: for the works that the Father has given me so that I would accomplish them—the very works that I do—testify about me that the Father has sent me.

UST However, the witness that I give about myself is even greater than the witness John gave about me. This is because this witness is the miraculous works that God the Father has allowed me to do. These very works that I am doing are proof that the Father has sent me.

BSB But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

MSB But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

BLB But I have testimony greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me that I should complete them, the same works which I do, bear witness concerning Me that the Father has sent Me.

AICNT “But I have testimony greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me to accomplish, {these very}[fn] works [that I do],[fn] testify [about me][fn] that the Father has sent me.

5:36, these very: Some manuscripts read “the.” 𝔓96

5:36, that I do: Absent from some manuscripts. Latin (a ff² )

5:36, about me: Absent from Latin(a).

OEB But the testimony which I have is of greater weight than John’s; for the work that the Father has given me to carry out – the work that I am doing – is in itself proof that the Father has sent me as his messenger.

LSB But the witness I have is greater than the witness of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness about Me, that the Father has sent Me.

WEBBE But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

WMBB But the testimony which I have is greater than that of Yochanan; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

NET “But I have a testimony greater than that from John. For the deeds that the Father has assigned me to complete – the deeds I am now doing – testify about me that the Father has sent me.

LSV But I have the testimony greater than John’s, for the works that the Father gave Me, that I might finish them, the works themselves that I do, they testify concerning Me, that the Father has sent Me.

FBV But the evidence I'm giving is greater than John's. For I am doing the work that the Father gave me to do,

TCNT But I [fn]have testimony greater than John's. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, testify that the Father has sent me.

5:36 have testimony greater than John's ¦ who am greater than John have testimony TH {Note: It is possible that the reading of TH preserves a grammatical mistake in certain Greek manuscripts and should be translated in the same way as the main Greek text.}

T4T But there is something else that tells you about me. It should prove who I am more than what John said about me. The miracles [PRS] that my Father told me to do, the miracles that I am performing, show (OR, prove) to people that my Father sent me.

LEB “But I have a testimony greater than John’s, for the works which the Father has given to me that I should complete them—the very works which I am doing—these testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

BBE But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: the work which the Father has given me to do, the very work which I am now doing, is a witness that the Father has sent me.

Moff But I possess a testimony greater than that of John, for the deeds which the Father has granted me to accomplish, the very deeds on which I am engaged, are my testimony that the Father has sent me.

Wymth "But the testimony which I have is weightier than that of John; for the work the Father has assigned to me for me to bring it to completion—the very work which I am doing—affords testimony concerning me that the Father has sent me.

ASV But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

DRA But I have a greater testimony than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to perfect; the works themselves, which I do, give testimony of me, that the Father hath sent me.

YLT 'But I have the testimony greater than John's, for the works that the Father gave me, that I might finish them, the works themselves that I do, they testify concerning me, that the Father hath sent me.

Drby But I have the witness [that is] greater than [that] of John; for the works which the Father has given me that I should complete them, the works themselves which I do, bear witness concerning me that the Father has sent me.

RV But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
(But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: for the works which the Father hath/has given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath/has sent me. )

SLT And I have greater testimony than of John: for the works that the Father gave me that I might finish them, the same works that I do, testify of me, that the Father has sent me.

Wbstr But I have greater testimony than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear testimony concerning me, that the Father hath sent me.

KJB-1769 ¶ But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
(¶ But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath/has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath/has sent me. )

KJB-1611 ¶ But I haue greater witnesse then that of Iohn: for the workes which the Father hath giuen me to finish, the same workes that I doe, beare witnesse of mee, that the Father hath sent me.
(¶ But I have greater witness then that of Yohn: for the works which the Father hath/has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath/has sent me.)

Bshps But I haue greater witnesse, then the witnesse of Iohn: For the workes whiche the father hath geuen me to finishe, the same workes that I do, beare witnesse of me, that the father hath sent me.
(But I have greater witness, then the witness of Yohn: For the works which the father hath/has given me to finishe, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the father hath/has sent me.)

Gnva But I haue greater witnesse then the witnesse of Iohn: for the workes which the Father hath giuen me to finish, the same workes that I doe, beare witnesse of me, that the Father sent me.
(But I have greater witness then the witness of Yohn: for the works which the Father hath/has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father sent me. )

Cvdl Neuertheles I haue a greater wytnesse then the wytnesse of Ihon. For the workes which the father hath geue me to fynish, the same workes which I do, beare wytnesse of me, that the father hath sent me.
(Nevertheless I have a greater witness then the witness of Yohn. For the works which the father hath/has give me to fynish, the same works which I do, bear witness of me, that the father hath/has sent me.)

TNT But I have greater witnes then the witnes of Iohn. For the workes which the father hath geve me to fynisshe: the same workes which I do beare witnes of me that the father sent me.
(But I have greater witness then the witness of Yohn. For the works which the father hath/has give me to fynisshe: the same works which I do bear witness of me that the father sent me. )

Wycl But Y haue more witnessyng than Joon, for the werkis that my fadir yaf to me to perfourme hem, thilke werkis that Y do beren witnessyng of me, that the fadir sente me.
(But I have more witnessing than Yohn, for the works that my father gave to me to perform hem, that works that I do beren witnessing of me, that the father sent me.)

Luth Ich aber habe ein größer Zeugnis denn des Johannes Zeugnis; denn die Werke, die mir der Vater gegeben hat, daß ich sie vollende, dieselbigen Werke, die ich tue, zeugen von mir, daß mich der Vater gesandt habe.
(I but have a bigger transcript because/than the Yohannes transcript; because/than the work, the to_me the/of_the father given has, that I they/she/them fullde, the_same work, the I do/act, witness/testify from to_me, that me the/of_the father sent have.)

ClVg Ego autem habeo testimonium majus Joanne. Opera enim quæ dedit mihi Pater ut perficiam ea: ipsa opera, quæ ego facio, testimonium perhibent de me, quia Pater misit me:
(I however I_have testimony greater Yoanne. Opera because which he_gave to_me Pater as perficiam them: herself works, which I I_do, testimony perhibent from/about me, because Pater he_sent me: )

UGNT ἐγὼ δὲ ἔχω τὴν μαρτυρίαν μείζω τοῦ Ἰωάννου; τὰ γὰρ ἔργα ἃ δέδωκέν μοι ὁ Πατὴρ, ἵνα τελειώσω αὐτά, αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ποιῶ, μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι ὁ Πατήρ με ἀπέσταλκεν.
(egō de eⱪō taʸn marturian meizō tou Yōannou; ta gar erga ha dedōken moi ho Pataʸr, hina teleiōsō auta, auta ta erga ha poiō, marturei peri emou, hoti ho Pataʸr me apestalken.)

SBL-GNT ἐγὼ δὲ ἔχω τὴν μαρτυρίαν ⸀μείζω τοῦ Ἰωάννου, τὰ γὰρ ἔργα ἃ ⸀δέδωκέν μοι ὁ πατὴρ ἵνα τελειώσω αὐτά, αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα ⸀ἃ ποιῶ, μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ ὅτι ὁ πατήρ με ἀπέσταλκεν,
(egō de eⱪō taʸn marturian ⸀meizō tou Yōannou, ta gar erga ha ⸀dedōken moi ho pataʸr hina teleiōsō auta, auta ta erga ⸀ha poiō, marturei peri emou hoti ho pataʸr me apestalken,)

RP-GNT Ἐγὼ δὲ ἔχω τὴν μαρτυρίαν μείζω τοῦ Ἰωάννου· τὰ γὰρ ἔργα ἃ ἔδωκέν μοι ὁ πατὴρ ἵνα τελειώσω αὐτά, αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ, μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ ὅτι ὁ πατήρ με ἀπέσταλκεν.
(Egō de eⱪō taʸn marturian meizō tou Yōannou; ta gar erga ha edōken moi ho pataʸr hina teleiōsō auta, auta ta erga ha egō poiō, marturei peri emou hoti ho pataʸr me apestalken.)

TC-GNT Ἐγὼ δὲ ἔχω τὴν μαρτυρίαν [fn]μείζω τοῦ [fn]Ἰωάννου· τὰ γὰρ ἔργα ἃ [fn]ἔδωκέ μοι ὁ πατὴρ ἵνα τελειώσω αὐτά, αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα ἃ [fn]ἐγὼ ποιῶ, μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ ὅτι ὁ πατήρ με ἀπέσταλκε.
(Egō de eⱪō taʸn marturian meizō tou Yōannou; ta gar erga ha edōke moi ho pataʸr hina teleiōsō auta, auta ta erga ha egō poiō, marturei peri emou hoti ho pataʸr me apestalke. )

5:36 μειζω ¦ μειζων TH

5:36 ιωαννου ¦ ιωανου WH

5:36 εδωκε ¦ δεδωκε CT

5:36 εγω ¦ — CT

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:30–47: Jesus told about others who told the truth about himself

Jesus told the Pharisees about those who testified about him. Those witnesses were John the Baptist, the works that the Father gave him to do, and the Father himself. The Father spoke about him in the Old Testament.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Jesus told about what testified about the truth about him

There were those who confirmed the truth about Jesus

Witnesses for Jesus

Paragraph 5:36–38

In this paragraph Jesus told about other witnesses who supported his claims, witnesses greater than John the Baptist.

5:36a

But I have testimony more substantial than that of John.

¶ “But a witness for me will say something greater than what John said.
¶ “But there is a stronger/greater witness than John who speaks for me.

But: This conjunction here introduces a statement that makes the previous statement less important or significant. Although people had welcomed John’s testimony, Jesus had a more important testimony. The topic now changes to this more important testimony.

I have testimony more substantial than that of John: This clause means “Someone gives testimony about me that is more important than the testimony that John gave about me.” Jesus was not saying that John’s testimony was not important, but that there was testimony even more important and reliable.

In some languages it is more natural to compare the ones giving the testimonies (the witnesses) rather than the testimonies. For example:

I have a witness greater than John

I have testimony: This clause refers to the testimony that someone else gives about Jesus, confirming what he said. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb phrase instead of a noun like testimony. For example:

But there is something which confirms/proves to you the truth of what I said that is better/stronger than what John said.

See the note on testimony at 5:31 and 5:34a.

more substantial than that of John: The Greek word that the BSB translates as more substantial here means “more important” or “superior.”

Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

higher than John’s (REB)

stronger than that of John

something that testifies more favorably on my behalf than John’s testimony (GW)

5:36b

For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—

That is because of the works/tasks that my Father told me to finish/fulfill.
God my Father wants me to do certain tasks,

For: The Greek word that the BSB literally translates as For means “for” or “because.” Some English translations do not make it explicit, but other translations do. For example:

For (NIV)

Because

In this context this conjunction introduces Jesus’ grounds for saying in 5:36a that he had a testimony greater than John’s testimony. Introduce these grounds in a way that is natural in your language.

the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the works here refers to Jesus’ deeds, and especially his miracles. Jesus was claiming that God the Father wanted him to act in the way he had acted. Jesus had healed the paralyzed man because God had told him to do so.

Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the things that the Father has given me to do (CEV)

the deeds that the Father has told me to finish

5:36c

the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

They are exactly/specifically the works/tasks that I am doing, and they are my witnesses that show that my Father has sent me.
and these are the very/exact tasks that I do. So they are themselves the evidence that God my Father sent me here.

the very works I am doing: This phrase indicates that Jesus was doing the tasks God the Father had told him to do. The miracle of healing the paralyzed man (5:5–9) was one such work.

Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

The deeds I am now doing (NET)

The things I do (NCV)

testify about Me that the Father has sent Me: The expression testify…that the Father has sent Me means “give evidence that my Father God sent me to this world.” Jesus’ healing miracles showed clearly who he was and who had sent him.

Here are other ways to translate this expression:

testify for me that it was my Father God who sent me

speak for me and prove that the Father sent me (CEV)

testify about Me: This expression indicates that Jesus’ deeds give evidence that he was speaking the truth. They show that Jesus was truly sent from God, with God’s authority. The phrase about Me means “for me” or “for my benefit.” The whole phrase is a figure of speech. In some languages it may not be possible to speak of works/deeds as testifying for someone. If that is the case in your language, here are other ways to translate this phrase:

my works are evidence that I speak the truth

my deeds are my proof

The things I do…prove that… (NCV)

has sent Me: In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit where the Father sent Jesus. For example:

has sent me here

has sent me into the world

UTN uW Translation Notes:

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ Δέ ἔχω τήν μαρτυρίαν μείζων τοῦ Ἰωάννου τά γάρ ἔργα ἅ δέδωκεν μοί ὁ Πατήρ ἵνα τελειώσω αὐτά αὐτά τά ἔργα ἅ ποιῶ μαρτυρεῖ περί ἐμοῦ ὅτι ὁ Πατήρ μέ ἀπέσταλκεν)

Here, for indicates that what follows is an explanation of the “testimony” Jesus has mentioned in the previous clause. Alternate translation: [that testimony is]

τὰ & ἔργα

Here, works could refer to: (1) the miracles that Jesus did. Alternate translation: [the miracles] (2) Jesus’ miracles and teaching. Alternate translation: [the miracles and teaching]

Note 1 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples

ὁ Πατὴρ & ὅτι ὁ Πατήρ

the the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ Δέ ἔχω τήν μαρτυρίαν μείζων τοῦ Ἰωάννου τά γάρ ἔργα ἅ δέδωκεν μοί ὁ Πατήρ ἵνα τελειώσω αὐτά αὐτά τά ἔργα ἅ ποιῶ μαρτυρεῖ περί ἐμοῦ ὅτι ὁ Πατήρ μέ ἀπέσταλκεν)

Father is an important title for God.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

αὐτὰ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ποιῶ, μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ

Here Jesus is speaking of works as though they were a person who could testify about who he is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this plainly. Alternate translation: [the very works that I do—are evidence for who I am]

Parallel YHN 5:36

Section 5:30–47: Jesus told about others who told the truth about himself

Paragraph 5:36–38

5:36a

5:36b

5:36c