John Calvin Commentary John 5:36

"But the witness which I have is greater than [that of] John; for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." — John 5:36 (ASV)

But I have greater testimony than that of John. After having shown that, in the person of John, the Jews had wickedly corrupted the gift of God, He now repeats a second time what He had said: that He has no need of the testimony of man, as if He did not have enough in Himself. Although, perceiving that they held His person in contempt, He sent them to His Father, according to His custom.

For the works which the Father hath given me to do. He presents two things by which He was proved to be the Son of God. He says, “My Father attests by miracles that I am His Son; and before I came into the world, He gave abundant testimony to me in the sacred writings.” Let us always remember the purpose He has in view.

He wishes to be recognized as the Messiah promised by God, so that He may be heard. Therefore, He maintains that He is now manifested to be such a person as Scripture describes Him.

It may be asked: Are miracles sufficient to prove this, since similar miracles had already been performed by the Prophets? I reply that those miracles which God performed through the Prophets did not go beyond the purpose for which they were intended—namely, to show that they were the ministers of God, because they could in no other way obtain the authority due to their office.

But God intended to exalt His Son more highly, and this purpose of God should be regarded by us as the design of His miracles. Therefore, if the Jews had not been prejudiced by malice and had not voluntarily shut their eyes, Christ could easily have proved to them by His miracles who and what He was.