Jesus begins by referring to a legal principle present in the Jewish law, stating, "It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid." This principle is rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in passages like Deuteronomy 19:15: "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established."
The idea is that the testimony of two or more witnesses adds credibility and reliability to a statement or claim. Jesus, in referencing this legal principle, sets the stage for a significant declaration about His identity and the validation of His mission.
- Jesus' Unique Testimony:
In verse 18, Jesus makes an astonishing claim: "I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me." This statement carries profound implications. Jesus asserts that His own testimony about Himself is valid, and He goes further by stating that the Father, who sent Him, also testifies about Him.
This is a unique and powerful assertion of divine authority. In the Jewish context, for someone to testify about themselves was not considered as strong evidence. However, Jesus, being both fully divine and fully human, declares the extraordinary nature of His self-testimony. Moreover, the affirmation that the Father testifies about Him underscores the divine confirmation of Jesus' identity and mission.
Cross References:
John 5:31-32: "If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. It’s another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true." Here, Jesus echoes the principle that self-testimony alone is not valid, yet He affirms the divine testimony validating His mission.
John 14:11: "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake." This verse aligns with the idea of believing Jesus based on His testimony and the miraculous works that affirm His divine identity.
Implications for Believers:
Divine Validation: Jesus' assertion that the Father testifies about Him provides believers with a foundation for confidence and trust in the divinity of Christ. It affirms the unique nature of Jesus as the Son sent by the Father.
The Principle of Witness: The legal principle of testimony, rooted in the Old Testament, highlights the consistency of God's revelation throughout Scripture. It encourages believers to recognize the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments and the fulfillment of divine purposes.
Faith in Jesus' Self-Testimony: Jesus' claim to be a valid witness about Himself challenges believers to place their faith in His words. It calls for a recognition of the authority and truthfulness of Jesus' self-disclosure.
In John 8:17-18, Jesus presents a profound understanding of His testimony and the divine affirmation of His mission. As believers, we are invited to embrace the unique testimony of Jesus, recognizing the divine validation that underlies His words and works.
John 8:17-18. “It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”