Charles Ellicott Commentary John 5:32

"It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true." — John 5:32 (ASV)

There is another . . .—that is, the Father. The reference to the Baptist is excluded by the words that follow. The difficulty that has been seen in this indirect reference to the Father is removed if we connect the words closely with those preceding them. The point is in the fact that another, different in personality from Himself, bore witness of Him. (Matthew 10:28, and others.)

I know . . .—This seems to have a natural meaning if it refers to the authority given to John’s witness, but seems less fitting if applied to the Father’s witness. In two of the oldest manuscripts, and some of the earliest versions, we read “you know,” and this has been adopted by some modern editors. However, the origin of this reading is obvious, and there is no sufficient reason to depart from the common text.

Its meaning is quite in harmony with the relation of the Son to the Father, which has been elaborated on. The Father bears witness, and is bearing witness , in the unity of work that the Son and Father both perform (John 5:17; John 5:19–20; John 5:30).

The Son knows that His power to do this work can come from no other source. His own nature responds to the Father’s voice; He knows it to be true. (Compare to John 3:33.)