John 5:32

Another. Since ancient times commentators have understood this verse in two different ways. Some have taken the word “another” to refer to John the Baptist, in view of the immediate context (vs. 33-35), and doubtless Jesus’ hearers at the time understood Him that way (see on v. 34). Thus, recognizing that His own authority was not accepted (v. 31), Jesus developed His argument by an appeal to four different witnesses: (1) to the witness of John (vs. 32-35); (2) to the miracles (v. 36), which the Jews could not ignore; (3) to the witness of the Father (v. 37); and (4) to the Scriptures (v. 39) and particularly to the writings of Moses (vs. 45-47), whom the Jews acknowledged as their pre-eminent authority.

Many other interpreters, while not denying this fourfold development of Jesus’ argument, have understood the present verse to apply rather to the Father, in anticipation of v. 37. They have pointed out that v. 32 is in the present tense, a fitting expression of the Father’s continuing witness to His Son, whereas vs. 33-35, which clearly apply to John, are in the past, as his ministry had by this time come to an end.