{But the witness which I have is greater than that of John}
(Eg(9320)de ech(9320)t(886e) marturian meiz(9320)tou I(9361)nou). Literally, "But I
have the witness greater than John's." Meiz(935c) (meizona) is
predicate accusative and I(9361)nou is ablative of comparison after
meiz(935c). Good as the witness of John is, Christ has superior
testimony. {To accomplish} (hina telei(9373)(935c)). Final clause with
hina and first aorist active subjunctive of eleio(935c), the same
idiom in 4:34 . Jesus felt keenly the task laid on him by the
Father (cf. 3:35 ) and claimed at the end that he had performed
it ( 17:4 19:30 ). Jesus held that the highest form of faith did
not require these "works" (erga) as in 2:23 10:38 14:11 .
But these "works" bear the seal of the Father's approval
( 5:20,36 10:25 ) and to reject their witness is wrong ( 10:25 10:37f. 15:24 ). {The very works} (auta ta erga). "The works
themselves," repeating a erga just before for vernacular
emphasis. {Hath sent me} (me apestalken). Perfect active
indicative of apostell(935c), the permanence of the mission. Cf.
3:17 . The continuance of the witness is emphasized in 5:32 8:18 .
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