Jewish Law and Johannine Vocabulary: ἀληϑής 91 synonym for “cogent”, as in “valid passport”, whereas we are not think- ing of cogency but admissibility10. We shall return to the point. Meanwhile let us turn to Jn 7,l8: ὁ ἀφ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ λαλῶν τὴν δόξαν τὴν ἰδίαν ζητεῖ‧ ὁ δὲ ζητῶν τὴν δόξαν τοῦ πέμψαντος αὐτόν, oὗτος ἀληθής ἐστιν... “He who speaks on his own authority (a frequent point of John’s)11 consults his own reputation (i.e. carries responsibility), but he who con- sults the reputation of his “sender” is true, and unrighteousness is not in him (Prov.8,7-8)”. Really? If Y speaks on his own authority may he not be truthful and free from “unrighteousness”? Both X (the sender) and Y, his messenger, may be lying. Jn 8,14, too, contradicting 5,31 seems absurd: κἆν ἐγὼ μαρτυρῶ περὶ ἐμαυτοῦ, ἀληθής ἐστιν ἡ μαρτυρία μου, ὅτι οἶδα πόθεν ἦλθον... “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know from whence I came...” The alleged reason does not establish truth - it can be as deceptive as the testimony itself. The speaker relies heavily on Jn 8,17; δύο ἀνθρώπων ἡ μαρτυρία ἀληθής ἐστιν, “(In your law it is written that) the testimony of two witnesses is true.” It says no such thing!. Dt 19,15 says that a matter should be established at the mouth of two or three witnesses. The word is yāqûm. The evidence of a single witness is not “established”, though it may well be truthful. Even if ancient laws were predominantly concerned with witnesses’ being admissible12, credibility was not neglected, for witnesses were examined by the court, where “plotting witnesses”, in perfect mutual agreement (cf. Mk 14,59), may be found to be lying. Conveying a message for X may be inauspicious for Y, and yet neither may be lying -or both may be: X tells Y to tell Z that Z is an “hairy ape”. Y, unsuspecting, loyal to X, conveys the message. Z, disregarding the inviolability of envoys, punches Y (as X intended). Z is not an ape, yet Y faithfully discharged his duty. Jesus, however, complains the “Jews” will slaughter the messenger (Jn 7;19-20; 8,28.37), not liking the message (8,37.40), so, ironically, “elevating” him. His message was not only “legitimate” but also factually true (8,46), complying with two distinct criteria. Harvey, Jesus on Trial. 10 Jn 7,17-18.28; 8,28.42; 14,10. 11 Harvey, Jesus on Trial. 12