What Is A Witness In The Bible?
Jesus interacted with His disciples in numerous post-resurrection appearances. In one of them, He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:44-47). Finally, He added, “You are witnesses of these things” (v. 48).
What Is A Witness In The Bible?
The word translated witnesses refers to those who attest to what they have seen and heard—and thus what they know to be true. This is the Greek word from which we get our English word martyrs. While certainly one does not have to die to bear witness to what he or she knows and believes, those who do give their lives for a cause clearly bear witness to that cause in the fullest way possible. Here are a few of the additional 34 instances in which this particular Greek word occurs in the New Testament: Matthew 18:16 (see vv. 15-17 for the context); Mark 14:63 (see vv. 60-64 for the context); Acts 1:22 (see vv. 15-26 for the context); Philippians 1:8; Revelation 1:5 (see vv. 1-8 for the context); 11:3 (see vv. 1-6 for the context).
At least one more appearance of this word is worthy of special consideration. Before ascending back to the Father following His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples that they would “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). May we forever remain faithful to this God-given task, just as were Jesus’ closest disciples.
B. Nathaniel Sullivan
Christian educator, Bible teacher, and Editor
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations in SundaySchoolZone.com materials are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
