And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that these people aren't just saying John was a good guy; they're saying his witness was true, even though John himself performed no miracles. This highlights that truth and belief can be established not just by supernatural displays, but by the faithful testimony of others, especially when that testimony points to Someone greater.
And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After being driven from Jerusalem and escaping the attempts to stone him, Jesus retreats to the region east of the Jordan where John the Baptist had previously ministered. There, people who remembered John's ministry and had heard of Jesus's signs and teachings began to gather, acknowledging John's prophetic witness to Jesus, even though John himself had performed no miracles.
Jesus performed incredible miracles, yet many who came to him in John the Baptist's old stomping grounds focused on John's prior words, not just Jesus' works. Why would they do that?
The Power of a Faithful Witness
When Jesus retreated beyond the Jordan, many people sought Him out. What's striking is their reasoning for believing in Him:
Jesus had to flee Jerusalem because people were trying to seize Him. Yet, His "escape" led to a revival in a place once used by John the Baptist. How does God use opposition for good?
Turning Persecution into Purpose
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The Gospel of John often shows Jesus operating under God's sovereign timing. Even when facing intense opposition and threats:
Understand the original words
sēmeion · Greek Noun
A supernatural manifestation or miracle that serves as a sign or pointer to the divine authority, message, or person of the one performing it. In the Fourth Gospel, signs are intended to reveal the identity of Jesus as the Son of God.
alēthēs · Greek Adjective
That which is in accordance with fact, reality, and the nature of God; it refers to the divine truth revealed in Scripture or through the person of Jesus Christ. It stands in contrast to falsehood and is the standard by which all claims are tested.
This passage highlights how Jesus' ministry gained traction in areas already impacted by John the Baptist, with people recognizing Jesus' identity based on John's prior testimony, even in the absence of further miraculous signs from John himself.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and baptizing them. His message prepares the way for Jesus.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus Begins His Public Ministry
Jesus is baptized by John and begins his own public ministry in Galilee, performing numerous signs and wonders and teaching about the Kingdom of God.
Late AD 29
Conflict in Jerusalem
Jesus confronts religious leaders in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication, leading to intense opposition and attempts to arrest him.
Late AD 29— this verse
Jesus Withdraws Beyond Jordan
Following the confrontation in Jerusalem, Jesus retreats to the region east of the Jordan River, a place associated with John the Baptist's early ministry.
Late AD 29
Believers Gather and Testify
Many people in this area come to Jesus, acknowledging the truth of John the Baptist's witness to him, even though John himself performed no miracles.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of John the Baptist testifying about Jesus, setting the stage for later recognition of Jesus' superiority even without John performing miracles.
John 5:36Jesus himself points to his 'works' as evidence of his divine mission, aligning with the people's eventual conclusion that John's words were true because Jesus' deeds confirmed them.
Acts 10:38This passage, preached by Peter, highlights how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and how Jesus 'went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,' providing a theological framework for the 'works' the people observed.
Matthew 11:2-6This passage shows John the Baptist, while imprisoned, sending disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one to come, and Jesus' response points to his miracles as proof, reinforcing the idea that works are a key confirmation of identity.
calvinJohn 10:37-42: "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."
- If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38. But if I do, [301] though you believe not me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39. Therefore they sought again to seize him, but he escaped [302] out of their hands. 40. And again he went away beyond Jordan, to the place where John first baptized, and abode there. 41. And many came to him, and said, John indeed d…
barnesJohn 10:41: "And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true."
No miracle - He did not confirm his mission by working miracles, but he showed that he was a prophet by foretelling the character and success of Jesus. Either miracle or prophecy is conclusive proof of a divine mission, for no man can foretell a future event, or work a miracle, except by the special aid of God. It may be remarked that the people of that place were prope…
What's striking here is that these people aren't just saying John was a good guy; they're saying his witness was true, even though John himself performed no miracles. This highlights that truth and belief can be established not just by supernatural displays, but by the faithful testimony of others, especially when that testimony points to Someone greater.
After being driven from Jerusalem and escaping the attempts to stone him, Jesus retreats to the region east of the Jordan where John the Baptist had previously ministered. There, people who remembered John's ministry and had heard of Jesus's signs and teachings began to gather, acknowledging John's prophetic witness to Jesus, even though John himself had performed no miracles.
After being driven from Jerusalem and escaping the attempts to stone him, Jesus retreats to the region east of the Jordan where John the Baptist had previously ministered. There, people who remembered John's ministry and had heard of Jesus's signs and teachings began to gather, acknowledging John's prophetic witness to Jesus, even though John himself had performed no miracles.
"And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”" — What's striking here is that these people aren't just saying John was a good guy; they're saying his witness was true, even though John himself performed no miracles. This highlights that truth and…
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Last reviewed October 2026