There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

JOHN 5:32KJV
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John 5:32 (KJV)

What does John 5:32 mean?

John 5:32 records Jesus saying that there is another who testifies about him, and Jesus is confident that this testimony about him is true. Jesus points out that he is not the only one making claims about himself—someone else is giving reliable witness to who he is.

In this part of John’s Gospel, Jesus is speaking to Jewish leaders who are questioning his authority after he healed a man on the Sabbath. Jesus is explaining that his identity and mission are confirmed by more than just his own words. The verse sets up the idea that God, or possibly John the Baptist, is providing trustworthy testimony about Jesus, which is an important theme in this section.

The Greek behind John 5:32

  • ἄλλος (allos, "another"): This word means "another" of the same kind, suggesting someone distinct from Jesus but still closely connected. It highlights that Jesus is not self-validating—there is an independent witness.
  • μαρτυρέω (martyreō, "bear witness") and μαρτυρία (martyria, "witness"): These related words are used for giving testimony, like in a court. The repetition stresses the importance of reliable, confirming evidence about Jesus.
  • ἀληθής (alēthēs, "true"): This word means genuine or trustworthy. Jesus is emphasizing that the testimony about him is not just another opinion, but something solid and dependable.

Why John 5:32 matters

  • John 5:32 helps clear up the idea that Jesus is not just making unsupported claims about himself; he points to a credible, outside source backing him up.
  • The verse draws attention to the importance of testimony and evidence in understanding who Jesus is, which is a key theme in John’s Gospel.
  • This sets the stage for the verses that follow, where Jesus explains more about who this "other" witness is, deepening the reader’s understanding of his relationship with God the Father and with John the Baptist.

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.

“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.

“me” Greek G1700 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
  • Acts 25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?