John 5:35

Jesus again gave a brief evaluation of John the Baptist’s ministry. Evidently John’s public ministry had ended by this time since Jesus spoke of his witness as past. John was not the true light (Gr. phos, John 1:8-9), but he was a lamp (Gr. lychnos) that bore witness (cf. Psalms 132:17; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7). John’s ministry had caused considerable messianic excitement. Unfortunately most of John’s hearers only chose to follow his teaching temporarily (John 2:23-25). When Jesus appeared, they did not follow Him. Thus John’s witness to Jesus’ identity was true, but it had little continuing impact.