# John 5.37

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-05-06 | updated: 2026-05-06 -->

**Book:** [John](/codex/john-the-apostle/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

## Immediate context (±2 verses)

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 35. <span class="rl-speech">He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.</span> 36. <span class="rl-speech">But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.</span>
>
> **37. <span class="rl-speech">And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.</span>**
>
> 38. <span class="rl-speech">And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not.</span> 39. <span class="rl-speech">Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;</span> (John 5:35-39, ASV)

**WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/))
> 35. <span class="rl-speech">He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.</span> 36. <span class="rl-speech">But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.</span>
>
> **37. <span class="rl-speech">The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.</span>**
>
> 38. <span class="rl-speech">You don’t have his word living in you; because you don’t believe him whom he sent.</span> 39. <span class="rl-speech">“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.</span> (John 5:35-39, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 35. <span class="rl-speech">He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.</span> 36. <span class="rl-speech">But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.</span>
>
> **37. <span class="rl-speech">And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.</span>**
>
> 38. <span class="rl-speech">And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.</span> 39. <span class="rl-speech">Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.</span> (John 5:35-39, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 35. <span class="rl-speech">he was the burning and shining lamp, and ye did will to be glad, for an hour, in his light.</span> 36. <span class="rl-speech">'But I have the testimony greater than John'</span>s, for the works that the Father gave me, that I might finish them, the works themselves that I do, they testify concerning me, that the Father hath sent me.
>
> **37. 'And the Father who sent me Himself hath testified concerning me; ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor His appearance have ye seen;**
>
> 38. and His word ye have not remaining in you, because whom He sent, him ye do not believe. 39. 'Ye search the Writings, because ye think in them to have life age-during, and these are they that are testifying concerning me; (John 5:35-39, YLT)

## Setting

- **Speaker:** John the Apostle (traditionally) / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
- **Audience:** later Christian audience (high-Christological emphasis; against early gnosticism)
- **Location:** first-century Palestine (events); possibly Ephesus (composition)
- **Time period:** events c. 26-33 AD (3-Passover chronology); composed c. AD 85-95

## Theological reading

## Key words

- [G3962 - pater](/codex/g3962-pater/), *pater* (Strong's G3962). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.48](/codex/matthew-5-48/), [Matthew 6.25-26](/codex/matthew-6-25-26/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/).

## Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

- **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
- **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
- **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
- **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.

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## Quoted in

**Concepts:**

- [Jesus Said](/codex/jesus-said/), via [John 5](/codex/john-5/)

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