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An examination of the fourteen references to marturia in John's Gospel divides the
witness into three groups--the opening testimony of John the Baptist, the closing
testimony of John the Apostle, and the threefold testimony of the Lord Himself:
Marturia ("Witness") in John's Gospel.
A | 1: 7; 1: 19. The two-fold witness of John the Baptist.
B | The threefold witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. |
a1 | 3: 11. Not receive.
b1 | 3: 32. No man received. Man.
c1 | 3: 33. He that received. True.
a2 | 5: 31. Not true?
c2 | 5: 32. My witness is true. True.
b2 | 5: 34. I receive not witness from man. Man.
d | 5: 36. Greater than John. The works.
a3 | 8: 13. Not true.
c3 | 8: 14. My record is true. True.
b3 | 8: 17. Testimony of two men. Man.
A | 19: 35; 19: 24. The twofold witness of John the Apostle.
It is very clear from the above analysis of John's fourteen references that this "record"
or "witness" plays a great part in his presentation of the truth.
We must now turn our attention to the opening testimony in the structure--namely,
that given by John the Baptist. This testimony, which is given in fairly full detail, settles
a number of vital points with regards to the One Whose Person and Work fill the
Gospel with their glory, and Who is set forth as "The Way, the Truth, and the Life".
John the Baptist's testimony settled the following crucial facts:
(1)
Jesus Christ was the long promised and expected Lord, Whose word of restoration and
comfort opens the second portion of Isaiah's prophecy (Isa. 40:, John 1: 23).
(2)
Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God, the great Antitype of all the sacrificial lambs
offered under the dispensation of type and shadow (John 1: 29, 36).
(3)
Jesus Christ was the Messiah, "Which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost" (John 1: 31-33).
(4)
Jesus Christ was the Son of God (John 1: 34).
Upon closer examination we find that John the Baptist's witness is twofold. The first
part is his answer to the Sanhedrin, the most powerful ruling body among the Jews; the
second part is given unasked, and represents his own spontaneous conviction upon seeing
the evidence promised to him in connection with the baptizing of the Saviour. The
structure is as follows: