Charles Ellicott Commentary John 5:37

"And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form." — John 5:37 (ASV)

Has borne witness of Me.—The marginal reference interprets this testimony of the Father by the voices from heaven spoken at the Baptism and on the Mount of Transfiguration. Both are indeed illustrations, and are naturally suggested by the imagery of voice and shape in the latter half of the verse; but one was at this moment in the future, and the other was a definite event which would have required a more definite reference. The Greek, indeed, distinguishes between the Incarnation at a definite point in time and the witness which was continued—And the Father Himself which sent Me (not “has sent Me”) hath borne witness of Me.

“His voice” and “His shape” are both general, and the “at any time” extends over the whole duration of previous revelation. Literally the clause is, Voice of Him ye have not at any time heard, nor shape of Him have ye seen. The reference to the Old Testament Scriptures is, moreover, demanded by the immediate context, while the voice at the Baptism and the Transfiguration are not only absent from the present circle of thoughts, but also from St. John’s Gospel.

Jesus is answering a charge of breaking God’s law, and of making Himself equal with God because He has claimed God’s fatherhood in word for Himself, and has manifested it in life-power for man. That charge was but an example of their unreceptive spirit. Through the whole history of the nation, He had been revealing Himself to them. Through the chief knowledge-giving senses, eye and ear, they should have learned in that past history to see God in the act of mercy, to hear Him in the word of love. They jealous for God’s honor! Ah! it was then as it had ever been. Voice of God they could not hear. Vision of God they could not see.