Biblica_1:Layout 1 21-11-2011 12:59 Pagina 374 374 PHILIPP F. BARTHOLOMÄ In John 5,31, Jesus supposes that a self-testimony would not be sufficient to prove his claims: “If I testify about myself, my testi- mony is not true” (cf. John 8,13). This supposition is based on the demand of the Mosaic law for additional witnesses (Deut 17,16; 19,15), a demand also embraced by the Synoptic Jesus in Matt 18,16: “every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses” [1/1-level of closeness; cf. the common usage of the marturw//marturi,a-word group]. John 5,32 then explicates that “there is another who testifies on my behalf ”, most likely a reference to the Father 12. While the Syn- optic Gospels do not directly refer to God, the Father, as testifying truthfully on behalf of the Son, this same idea seems to be at least im- plicit in Matt 12,28 par. [0/1–level of closeness], where Jesus refutes the allegation that he drives out demons by Beelzebul. He assumes that his works demonstrate divine power and thus serve as the truth- ful, yet indirect testimony of the Father about the validity of his Son’s own claims. The concept that the Father stands behind Jesus and his ministry is also inherent in two further synoptic statements [with possible 0/1-levels of closeness]. In Matt 10,40 and Luke 10,16 Jesus insinuates that the crux of the matter is the response to the one who sent him. This implies at the very least that, in the end, the true testimony of the sending Father must not be neglected. 2. The Witness of John the Baptist (John 5,33-35) [5,33a] [0/0] You sent messengers to John, [5,33b] [Matt 11,9 par.] [0/1] and he testified to the truth. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 12 E.g., R.E. BROWN, The Gospel According to John (i-xii) (AB 29A; Gar- den City, NY 1966) 224; D.A. CARSON, The Gospel According to John (PNTC; Leicester 1990) 260.