Facts About Jesus: Four Witnesses That Confirm He Is the Messiah
If someone claimed to be sent from God, how would you know whether to believe them?
In John 5:31-47, Jesus answers that question by presenting multiple witnesses that testify about who He is. Rather than asking people to blindly trust Him, Jesus points to evidence that confirms He is the promised Messiah.
These testimonies about Jesus still challenge every person today because they force us to answer one question:
Who do we believe Jesus really is?
Four Testimonies About Jesus (John 5:31-47)
Bible Study Guide
(Verse 31-35) Jesus says something quite interesting in verse 31.
“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.” (John 5:31)
Jesus is not saying His testimony is a lie. Jesus doesn’t lie. In order to understand what Jesus means by this statement, we need to refer to the law given by God to Moses to give to the people. We can find this reference in the book of Deuteronomy.
“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15)
According to Jewish law, important matters required multiple witnesses. Jesus responds by presenting several witnesses that confirm His identity as the Son of God.
By examining this passage we can see that Jesus is simply using the law they claim to know.
Testimony #1: John the Baptist Pointed to Jesus
John was not the Light. John pointed people to the Light.
Reflect & Apply:
- Why do you think so many people accepted John’s testimony but rejected Jesus Himself?
- Are there voices in your life pointing you toward Christ or away from Him?
- What can you learn from John the Baptist’s humility and purpose?
To better understand his role in preparing the way for Christ, read our study on Who Was John the Baptist and Why Was He Important?
Testimony #2: The Miracles of Jesus
(Verse 36) Jesus adds that His testimony, which they don’t believe holds much more weight than what the baptizer said, which they believed.
The miracles of Jesus were not random acts of kindness. They were signs that testified He had been sent by God. The healing of the lame man in John 5 was itself evidence standing before His critics.
Reflect & Apply:
- What do the miracles of Jesus reveal about His authority?
- Why do you think some people still rejected Jesus despite seeing His works?
- How can we avoid ignoring the evidence God places before us?
Testimony #3: The Father Testifies About Jesus
(Verses 37-38) After pointing to John the Baptist and His miracles, Jesus presents the highest possible witness—God the Father Himself.
“And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.” (John 5:37)
The Jewish leaders demanded evidence about who Jesus was. Jesus responds by reminding them that His identity was not supported merely by human opinion. God the Father had already testified about Him.
The Father’s Testimony at Jesus’ Baptism
One of the clearest examples occurred at Jesus’ baptism.
When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Then the Father spoke from heaven:
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
This was no ordinary event. God publicly identified Jesus as His Son and affirmed His divine mission before witnesses.
The Father’s Declaration
The Father’s words revealed two important truths.
First, Jesus was not merely a prophet, teacher, or religious leader. He was the Son of God sent into the world by the Father.
Second, the Father declared His complete approval of Jesus. Everything Jesus taught, every miracle He performed, and every step He took was in perfect obedience to the Father’s will.
The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority, but the Father had already declared where His authority came from.
Divine Approval
Unlike every other person who has ever lived, Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life. The Father could look upon Him and say, “I am well pleased.”
This divine approval confirmed that Jesus was the spotless Lamb of God, qualified to become the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
The tragedy in John 5 is that the religious leaders claimed to know God, yet they rejected the very One whom the Father had openly endorsed and sent.
Jesus concludes by telling them:
“His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.” (John 5:37-38)
Their rejection of Jesus revealed that they did not truly know the Father as they claimed.
Reflect & Apply:
- What does the Father’s testimony reveal about who Jesus truly is?
- Why is God’s approval of Jesus significant for our salvation?
- How should knowing that Jesus was sent by the Father affect the way you respond to His teachings?
- Are there areas of your life where you need to trust the Father’s testimony about Jesus rather than the opinions of the world?
Testimony #4: The Scriptures Point to Jesus
(Verses 39-44) The religious leaders knew the Scriptures but missed the Savior the Scriptures were pointing to.
It’s important we remember that the Jewish leaders prided themselves in understanding the law of Moses. Many could recite scripture from memory. It was a very difficult for them to accept what Jesus was saying about them.
Reflect & Apply:
- Is it possible to know about the Bible without truly knowing Christ?
- What danger did the religious leaders face that Christians must still guard against today?
- Are you reading Scripture simply for knowledge or to know Jesus more deeply?
Jesus doesn’t ask people for blind faith. He presents evidence.
How Moses Testified About Jesus
(Verses 45-47) Just as the scriptures they know very well testifies about them (Pharisee’s), it also testifies against them. They claim to know the law of Moses inside and out but the very law they cling to testifies against them. Because they themselves are not able to keep the law.
The law came because of sin. It was meant to expose our sin nature so we could turn to Christ for salvation. He is the ONLY WAY back to the Father. The law does not save anyone. The law exposes sin and convicts everyone. For no one has ever fully fulfilled the law of Moses except one, Jesus Christ.
For who the law convicts, Jesus saves.
Anyone who attempts to gain salvation through the law or any kind of works is condemned already. The wrath of God remains on them.
Again Jesus exposes their faulty theology by explaining that they believed Moses, and Moses spoke about Jesus. It would stand to reason that they would believe Jesus. But they don’t believe Jesus is the Messiah sent by God and spoken of by Moses.
Therefore, Moses is their accuser. They stand accused of not fulfilling the law and the words that Moses spoke that were given to him by God.
This is a wonderful example of the dangers of clinging to religious rituals and values in place of Christ.
What Jesus has to offer is much weightier than anything organized religion can offer.
Discover how God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ continues to be revealed in John’s Gospel.
Why Did People Reject Jesus Despite the Evidence?
The religious leaders did not reject Jesus because they lacked evidence. John the Baptist testified about Him, His miracles testified about Him, the Father testified about Him, and the Scriptures testified about Him. Yet they still refused to believe.
Why?
Pride kept them from admitting they were wrong. The praise of people mattered more to them than the approval of God. Hardened hearts prevented them from receiving the truth. And religious tradition became more important than the Savior the Scriptures pointed to.
The danger still exists today. A person can know facts about Jesus, be part of a religion, attend church, and study the Bible, yet miss a genuine relationship with Christ. The question is not whether the evidence is sufficient—the question is whether we are willing to believe it.
Reflect & Apply:
- Which obstacle to faith—pride, approval from others, a hardened heart, or tradition—is most dangerous today?
- Are there areas where God is calling you to trust His truth more fully?
- How can you guard against becoming religious without growing closer to Christ?
Why It Matters For You Today
John 5 presents multiple testimonies about Jesus.
John the Baptist testified about Him. His miracles testified about Him. The Father testified about Him. The Scriptures testified about Him.
The evidence was clear then and it remains clear today.
The question is not whether Jesus provided sufficient testimony.
The question is how you will respond to it.
Don’t Stop Here! Take the Next Step
Want to explore more facts about Jesus and discover how all of Scripture points to Him?
→ Continue studying John’s Gospel
Ready to place your faith in Christ?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for revealing the truth about Jesus through Your Word, through His works, and through the testimony of those You sent before Him. Thank You that You have not left us without evidence, but have clearly shown us who Your Son is.
Guard our hearts from pride, unbelief, and the desire for the approval of others. Help us not to miss Christ as the religious leaders did, but to recognize Him as our Savior, Lord, and King.
Give us a hunger for Your Word, eyes to see the truth, and hearts that are willing to follow wherever You lead. May our faith rest not in tradition or human wisdom, but in Jesus Christ alone.
Help us to boldly share the truth about Him with others so they too may come to know the gift of eternal life.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Final Thought: The evidence about Jesus demands a response. Will we reject Him like the religious leaders, or will we believe and follow Him? (John 5:31-47)