31 If I bear witness[187] of myself, my witness is not true. [187] ch. 8:14; Prov. 27:2; Rev. 3:14. =31.= This verse makes a transition from the subject-matter of the discourse thus far to a new subject. Christ has been speaking of his own character and authority; he now passes to speak of the evidences which attest it. The verse is to be read not affirmatively, but interrogatively. Do you say, if I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true? I will then point you to other testimony. That this is the true reading of the verse is evident from ch. 8:14, where Christ declares that though he bears witness of himself, his witness is true. He here anticipates the objection there made by the Pharisees (ch. 8:13), and replies to it. In his reply, which extends to verse 39, he cites in attestation of his mission three witnesses: (1) the testimony of John the Baptist (vers. 32-35); (2) his own works, including, but only incidentally, his miracles (ver. 36); (3) the personal testimony of the Father, speaking chiefly through the O. T. Scripture (vers. 37-39). 32 There is another[188] that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. [188] ch. 8:18; Acts 10:43; 1 John 5:7-9. 33 Ye sent unto John, and[189] he bare witness unto the truth. [189] ch. 1:7, 32. =32, 33. There is another that beareth witness of me.= Most of the modern commentators consider this _another_ to be the Father. So Alford, Meyer, Bengel, Tholuck, and others. They understand the connection to be this: The Father testifies to me; John’s testimony I do not receive, because it is human and fallible, but in passing I refer to it, for your salvation. Thus verses 33-35 are parenthetical. The other interpretation seems to me the more natural and preferable. Christ gives, in an ascending climax, a threefold testimony to himself: first the testimony of John, a prophet, rather the prophet and forerunner of the Messiah; then his own works; finally the testimony of the Father, in the heart and through the written word.--=And I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.= Such language confirming the testimony of John the Baptist is natural; such language in confirmation of the testimony of the Father seems to me strained and unnatural. What significance can be given to the statement, The Everlasting Father testifies of me, and I know that his testimony of me is true? It is apt if applied to John the Baptist, a human and fallible witness, whose language might be attributed by the Jews to extraordinary and mistaken admiration.--=Ye sent unto John.= The reference is probably to the delegation which came out from Jerusalem to inquire into John’s character and work (ch. 1:19).--=He bare witness unto the truth.= That is, To the truth concerning Jesus Christ. By this declaration Christ makes the christology of John the