Jn 5:31-47
[Jesus said to the Jews,] 31“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified. 32But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. 33You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. 34I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. 35He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. 36But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. 37Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. 39You search the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. 40But you do not want to come to me to have life.
41“I do not accept human praise; 42moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. 43I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? 45Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. 46For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. 47But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
WITNESSES TO JESUS: A testimony (Greek martyrion) is the oral or written declaration of a witness, considered the primary means of proof in the administration of justice. In Scriptures, at least two witnesses are necessary for conviction (Nm 35:30; Dt 19:15; Mt 18:16).
The Gospel of John is often said to be a gospel of witnessing. The Word of God who is incarnated as Jesus of Nazareth gives witness to what he has seen and heard from above, from the Father. People in turn give witness to Jesus: to believe in him is to gain salvation.
Jesus presents testimonies to his claim to give life and to judge: John the Baptist, the works Jesus has accomplished, the Father, and Scriptures. Jesus says that the Scriptures testify to him. If the Jews revere Moses, then they should hear and believe in Jesus about whom Moses spoke.
In spite of these witnesses, the Jews do not believe in Jesus. They refuse to see the light. They keep their hearts and minds closed to a new horizon, which God is inviting them to see in the person, words, and works of Jesus.