John 15:27
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μαρτυρεῖτε
shall bear witness
G3140
μαρτυρεῖτε
shall bear witness
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
4 of 10
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 10
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
6 of 10
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
G746
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
7 of 10
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
Cross References
1 John 4:14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.John 21:24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.Acts 23:11And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.Luke 24:48And ye are witnesses of these things.Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Acts 4:20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.1 Peter 5:12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.1 Peter 5:1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Historical Context
This commission was fulfilled starting at Pentecost (Acts 2). The apostles testified to Jesus's life, death, and resurrection with Spirit-empowered boldness (Acts 4:20, 33). Their eyewitness accounts, recorded in the Gospels and epistles, form the foundation of Christian faith (Ephesians 2:20).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the eyewitness nature of apostolic testimony validate the historical reliability of the Gospel accounts?
- What's the difference between the apostles' unique witness role and the ongoing witness of all believers?
- How do the Holy Spirit's witness and human witness work together in evangelism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning (καὶ ὑμεῖς δὲ μαρτυρεῖτε, ὅτι ἀπ' ἀρχῆς μετ' ἐμοῦ ἐστε, kai hymeis de martyreite, hoti ap' archēs met' emou este)—After promising the Holy Spirit's witness (15:26), Jesus commissions the disciples as witnesses. μαρτυρεῖτε (martyreite, 'you bear witness') is imperative—not optional but commanded. Their qualification is ἀπ' ἀρχῆς μετ' ἐμοῦ ἐστε (ap' archēs met' emou este, 'from the beginning with me')—eyewitness testimony from those who companied with Jesus throughout His ministry (Acts 1:21-22).
Christian witness rests on historical events witnessed and testified by credible eyewitnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The apostles' unique qualification was physical presence during Jesus's ministry; later believers witness based on the apostolic testimony preserved in Scripture and the Spirit's internal testimony (1 John 5:9-11).