John 19:35
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑωρακὼς
he that saw
G3708
ἑωρακὼς
he that saw
Strong's:
G3708
Word #:
3 of 18
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
μεμαρτύρηκεν
it bare record
G3140
μεμαρτύρηκεν
it bare record
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
4 of 18
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἶδεν
knoweth
G1492
οἶδεν
knoweth
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 18
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
13 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
John 21:24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.John 15:27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.Acts 10:39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:Romans 15:4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.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
John likely wrote his Gospel around 85-95 AD, as the last surviving apostle. His emphatic eyewitness claim counters emerging gnostic denials of Christ's physical incarnation and death. Church tradition records John's martyrdom under Domitian, demonstrating his willingness to die for testimony he could have recanted if false.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's emphatic eyewitness testimony provide a foundation for faith distinct from blind belief or subjective experience?
- What makes the apostles' willingness to die for their testimony particularly significant for Christian apologetics?
- How should believers today communicate that Christian faith rests on historical events, not mythology or wishful thinking?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe (καὶ ὁ ἑωρακὼς μεμαρτύρηκεν, καὶ ἀληθινὴ αὐτοῦ ἐστιν ἡ μαρτυρία, καὶ ἐκεῖνος οἶδεν ὅτι ἀληθῆ λέγει, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς πιστεύσητε, kai ho heōrakōs memartyrēken, kai alēthinē autou estin hē martyria, kai ekeinos oiden hoti alēthē legei, hina kai hymeis pisteusēte)—John solemnly testifies to eyewitness observation. ὁ ἑωρακώς (ho heōrakōs, 'the one who saw') is emphatic. μεμαρτύρηκεν (memartyrēken, 'has testified') is perfect tense—past action with continuing results. His testimony is ἀληθινὴ (alēthinē, 'true, genuine, reliable'). The purpose clause ἵνα...πιστεύσητε (hina...pisteusēte, 'in order that you might believe') reveals John's evangelical intent—recording historical facts to produce faith.
This verse establishes the evidential basis of Christian faith. John doesn't ask readers to believe myths or legends but documented historical events witnessed by credible observers. Faith rests on facts, not blind credulity. The Apostle's integrity—willingness to die for testimony he knew to be either true or false—validates his credibility.