He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
What was God’s purpose for John? Was he sent to preach repentance? Was he sent to baptize? According to this passage his purpose was to be a witness and the purpose of a witness is to verify the truth.
The author of this book is very interested in showing us many witnesses to the truth of Who Jesus is. They are:
- John the Baptist (#1:7,8)
- The Father (#5:37, 8:18, 1John 5:9)
John 5:37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
John 8:18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
1 John 5:9 We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. - Jesus Himself (#8:18, 14)
John 8:18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
John 8:14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. - The Holy Spirit (#15:26, 1Joh 5:6)
John 15:26 “When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. - Scripture (#5:39, 46)
John 5:39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
John 5:46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. - His disciples (#15:27, 19:35, 21:24)
John 15:27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
John 19:35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. - His works (#5:36, 10:25, 14:11)
John 5:36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
John 10:25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me,
John 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. - Those people whose lives He touched (#4:39, 9:25, 12:17)
John 4:39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
John 9:25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
John 12:17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. - All believers (1 John 5:10-12)
1 John 5:10-12 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
God’s Law demanded the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish a fact (Deut 19:15) and this principle holds true even now (Matt 18:16). Did you notice how God overkilled the number of witnesses to the truth of Who Jesus is?
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offence he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
The need for so many witnesses exists because man refuses to believe the truth when it is very obvious to him. Light witnesses to itself. The only way a man cannot see the light when it is close to him is because his eyes are closed. God sends us witnesses because our eyes are closed and we need somebody to tell us that there is light so we might open them and see the light for ourselves.
It is “through” John that men might come to believe but not “in” him. Men must be confronted with their sin and brought into repentance so they can place their faith in the salvation Christ has purchased for them.