John 19:35
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he that saw it bore record, and his record is true: and he knows that he said true, that you might believe.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he that saw it bore record, and his record is true: and he knows that he said true, that you might believe.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he who saw it has given witness (and his witness is true; he is certain that what he says is true) so that you may have belief.
Webster's Revision
And he that saw it, testified, and his testimony is true: and he knoweth that he speaketh truth, that ye may believe.
World English Bible
He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe.
Clarke's John 19:35 Bible Commentary
He that saw it - Most probably John himself, who must have been pretty near the cross to have been able to distinguish between the blood and the water, as they issued from the side of our blessed Lord.
And he knoweth - This appears to be an appeal to the Lord Jesus, for the truth of the testimony which he had now delivered. But why such a solemn appeal, unless there was something miraculous in this matter? It might appear to him necessary:
1. Because the other evangelists had not noticed it.
2. Because it contained the most decisive proof of the death of Christ: as a wound such as this was could not have been inflicted, (though other causes had been wanting), without occasioning the death of the person; and on his dying for men depended the salvation of the world. And,
3. Because two important prophecies were fulfilled by this very circumstance, both of which designated more particularly the person of the Messiah. A bone of him shall not be broken, Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20. They shall look upon him whom they pierced, Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 22:16.
Barnes's John 19:35 Bible Commentary
He that saw it - John himself. He is accustomed to speak of himself in the third person.
His record is true - His testimony is true. Such was the known character of this writer, such his sacred regard for truth, that he could appeal to that with full assurance that all would put confidence in him. He often appeals thus to the fact that his testimony was known to be true. It would be well if all Christians had such a character that their word would be assuredly believed.
Wesley's John 19:35 Bible Commentary
19:35 His testimony is true - Valid, unexceptionable. And he knoweth - And his conscience beareth him witness, that he testifieth this for no other end, than that ye may believe.
