37, 38. Besides the indirect testimony of the Father through Christ’s miracles, another testimony of His is now appealed to. Some understand this of the testimony of the Father on the occasion of Christ’s baptism, (Matt. iii. 17). So Chrys., A Lap., M’Ev. But if there were reference to that past and definite occasion, the Greek aorist, not the perfect, would be used. Others, as Mald., connect this verse closely with the preceding, and hold the reference is still to the Father’s testimony given through Christ’s miracles. But the form of words: “And the Father Himself, who hath sent Me, hath given testimony of Me,” seems to add another distinct testimony to those already mentioned. Others, therefore, hold that the reference is to the Father’s testimony conveyed through the oracles of the prophets. So St. Cyril, Theoph., Euthy., Kuin., Corl.; and this opinion seems to be the correct one. About the meaning and connection of the words which follow in this verse and the next, there is a great variety of view. (1) Some thus: But you have never listened to His voice speaking to you through the Sacred Scriptures, nor recognised Him as speaking in them, nor do you believe in His inspired word; and the reason of this is, because you do not believe in Me whom He has sent. (Patriz.) (2) Others thus: But though the Father has testified of Me, “neither have you heard His voice ... abiding in you;” _i.e._, you have been excluded from familiarity with Him, and from belief in His testimony, because you refuse to believe in Me. (Hengstenberg.) (3) Others take the words to refer to the covenant entered into by God with the Jews (Deut. xviii. 15‐19), that He should terrify them no more by His awful presence, as when He gave the law on Sinai (Exod. xx. 19‐21), but should speak to them through a prophet. Hence Christ’s words signify: The Father has borne testimony of Me, nor has He broken His word to you, that you should hear and see no more the terrifying sounds and sights of Sinai; and yet you refuse to keep your part of the compact (“you have not His word abiding in you”), inasmuch as you refuse to believe in Me, the Prophet whom He promised. (Tolet., Beel.) (4) Others again thus: The Father has borne unquestionable testimony of Me, though not, I admit, in such a manner as that He could be seen, or His voice heard by you. But that testimony you accept not (you have not His word abiding in you), as is plain from the fact that you refuse to believe in Me. See the note to A Lap., in Migne’s Ed., which agrees with Kuinoel. Whatever view be adopted, we understand the testimony referred to in verse 37, to be that which is explicitly mentioned in verse 39; viz., the testimony of God given through the Scriptures in the writings of Moses and the prophets.(53)