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I. THE PECULIAR FITNESS, OR QUALIFICATIONS, OF JESUS, TO ACT AS A WITNESS FOR GOD TO THE PEOPLE.

1. Jesus was singularly qualified to act as a Witness to the people, because of His being acquainted with the whole counsel of God: whilst His own mind as the Son was in perfect accordance with that of His Father.

2. Jesus was specially qualified to act as a Witness, because of His necessary freedom from all temptation to suppress or mistake any part of the truth. He was from time to time knowingly putting Himself into situations, and bearing, testimony to such views, as were prejudicial to His safety, and endangering His life.

3. Jesus was specially qualified to be a Witness for God to the people, because of His alliance with both in His nature, together with His zeal for God's glory and the good of men In matters where ordinary witness-bearing is required, the interests of at least two parties are generally concerned, and, in so far, it augurs favourably for the ends of justice, that persons acting as witnesses in the case feel something like equal interest in both.

II. THE MODE OF HIS ACTING IN DISCHARGING THE DUTIES OF HIS OFFICE AS A WITNESS.

1. He witnessed to the effect of confirming that portion of the Scriptures which God had previously given to the Church, as a revelation of His will. That portion is contained in the Old Testament exclusively, such as known to us, and therefore shutting out all Jewish Apocryphas, Talmuds, or Mishnas. To none of these mere human productions did the Lord Jesus ever testify, but in the course of His public teaching He witnessed again and again to the authenticity of the sacred Scriptures, in quoting from them certain, things written concerning Himself by the inspiration of the Almighty.

2. Christ was also a Witness for God to the people, not only in testifying to what had already been written, but in farther adding to the revelation of Heaven. This revelation includes the whole of the New Testament, for this has been added to the Old by the Great Witness of whom we now speak, as an it contains He either delivered orally in the course of His personal ministry, or by the apostles, whose several epistles were written by His inspiration.

3. Jesus was still farther a Witness for God to the people, in the miracles He wrought, and in the holy exemplary life which He led. The many marvellous things He did afforded abundant proof that He came from God, and that consequently His doctrines were true. As God-man He witnessed in the flesh to His own holy law, and in that hath set us aa example that we should follow His steps.

4. Jesus, in acting as a Witness for God to the people, sealed and ratified His testimony in His cruel and ignominious death.

(J. Allan.)

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KJV: Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

WEB: Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.