If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

JOHN 5:31KJV
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John 5:31 (KJV)

What does John 5:31 mean?

John 5:31 records Jesus saying, “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” Jesus is explaining that if He were the only one claiming who He is, His testimony alone would not be enough to prove His identity or authority.

Jesus is speaking to a group of Jewish leaders who are questioning Him after He healed a man on the Sabbath. In their culture, a claim needed more than one witness to be accepted as true. Jesus points out that, by their standards, self-testimony is not considered reliable, setting up His next statements about other witnesses who confirm who He is.

The Greek behind John 5:31

  • μαρτυρῶ (martyrō, “witness”): This Greek word means to testify or bear witness. In this context, it refers to giving evidence about oneself, which was not enough for a valid claim in Jewish law.
  • ἀληθής (alēthēs, “true”): This word means genuine or reliable. Jesus is saying that, by accepted standards, a claim is not considered trustworthy if it comes only from the person making it.

Why John 5:31 matters

  • John 5:31 helps clarify that Jesus is not dismissing His own truthfulness, but is addressing the cultural and legal expectation for multiple witnesses.
  • This verse sets up the following verses, where Jesus points to other witnesses—like John the Baptist, His works, and the Father—to confirm His identity.
  • It shows Jesus’ respect for the standards of evidence accepted by His listeners, building a bridge for them to consider His claims seriously.

Where else these words appear

“true” Greek G227 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
  • John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

“witness” Greek G3141 · used in 33 verses

  • Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
  • John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
  • 1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

“myself” Greek G1683 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

“witness” Greek G3140 · used in 75 verses

  • Matthew 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
  • John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
  • Galatians 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.