John 5:31-35 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

If I bear witness of myself my witness is not true Heylin and Wesley read, is not valid; Doddridge, is not [ to be admitted as] true; and Campbell, is not to be regarded; observing, “In every country, where there are standing laws, and a regular constitution, there is what is called a forensic, or judicial use of certain words, which differs considerably from familiar use.” Thus the word δικαιος, rendered a just person, (Matthew 27:24,) seems to mean no more than, not guilty of the crime charged. “The like holds of the word αληθης, (here rendered true,) which, when used in reference to the procedure in judicatories, denotes, not what is in itself true, but what is proved, or what is accounted legal proof. Thus it is said, that a man's testimony of himself is not true. A man may certainly give a true testimony of himself; but, in law, it is not evidence; and is therefore held as untrue. This sense of the word often occurs in this gospel.” As if he had said, I have certainly entered a very high claim, and asserted my dignity in very strong terms, but I do not require any man to believe me merely on the authority of my own testimony. There is another that beareth witness of me A person of undoubted reputation and veracity. He refers to the testimony of John, given him in the hearing of their own deputies. But at the same time he observed, that the truth of his mission did not depend on human testimony, though it was given by one who was a burning and shining light, and in whom they greatly rejoiced, because the prophetic spirit, which had so long ceased, seemed to be again revived in him. For he proceeds; But I receive not Or, I have no need to receive; testimony from man: but these things Concerning John, whom ye yourselves reverence; I say, that ye may be saved Namely, from that destruction which John foretold would be the portion of those who should reject me. So really and seriously did Christ will their salvation. Yet they were not saved. Most, if not all of them, died in their sins. He was a burning and a shining light Inwardly burning with love and zeal; outwardly shining with all holiness. Some infer from this expression that the Baptist was now dead; yet he does not seem to have been killed till a little before the third passover. The reason is, the miracle of the loaves, performed in the desert of Bethsaida immediately after word was brought of John's death, is said to have happened a little before that feast, John 6:4. If so, our Lord's meaning is, that John was a burning and a shining light, not while he lay in prison, but while his ministry lasted; for during his imprisonment his light may be said to have been extinguished. Accordingly it is added, And ye were willing for a season Προς ωραν, for an hour; to rejoice in his light Ye hearkened to him with great pleasure, till his credit was impaired in your estimation by his imprisonment. Or the meaning may be, that they did not continue long to manifest that regard for his preaching, which, at his first appearance, they seemed to promise; because his doctrine was too strict and severe to be approved of, or endured long by so carnal and worldly-minded a people.