31 'If I testify concerning myself, my testimony is not true; 32 another there is who is testifying concerning me, and I have known that the testimony that he doth testify concerning me is true; 33 ye have sent unto John, and he hath testified to the truth. 34 'But I do not receive testimony from man, but these things I say that ye may be saved; 35 he was the burning and shining lamp, and ye did will to be glad, for an hour, in his light.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 5:31-35
Commentary on John 5:30-38
(Read John 5:30-38)
Our Lord returns to his declaration of the entire agreement between the Father and the Son, and declared himself the Son of God. He had higher testimony than that of John; his works bore witness to all he had said. But the Divine word had no abiding-place in their hearts, as they refused to believe in Him whom the Father had sent, according to his ancient promises. The voice of God, accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost, thus made effectual to the conversion of sinners, still proclaims that this is the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. But when the hearts of men are full of pride, ambition, and the love of the world, there is no room for the word of God to abide in them.