One of the remarkable features of John's description of Christ's appearance before Pontius Pilate is the triple testimony concerning Christ's innocence given by the Roman governor. Only after repeating three times that Jesus has done no apparent crime does Pilate hand Him over to be crucified. Contrasted with this triple testimony to Christ's innocence is the marked absence of any clear declaration of guilt on Pilate's part. John's gospel has a similar wording to that of the other evangelists. Jesus is "handed over" or "given up" to the will of the chief priests and Pharisees, and the crowd that they had gathered.

This does not mean that Pilate did not declare Christ to be guilty. Pilate definitely took his place on the judgment seat and made a binding legal declaration concerning Jesus. Yet under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, all emphasis falls on Christ's innocence. He is only declared guilty after having been declared innocent three times by His judge. Clearly the inference is that He was unjustly condemned by the Roman governor, and this was also publicly proclaimed.

This triple testimony is significant in John, since it complements the repeated triple testimony regarding Christ's Person and office as recorded in the other gospels. When Christ was baptized, a voice from heaven declared, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," Matthew 3:17. That was His royal credential given at the beginning of His earthly ministry. On the mount of transfiguration, the disciples heard the same voice from heaven say the same words with the addition, "Listen to Him!" Matthew 17:5. These words constituted Christ's divine approval at the turning-point of His earthly ministry. The voice returned for the third time at its end, just before the crucifixion, with the words, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again," John 12:28. This triple testimony was given for the sake of the disciples, that they might know and understand the nature of Christ's office and work. All three of these direct messages from heaven pointed to Christ as the one who descended from heaven, and who was also ascending to heaven again. John's constant theme is that the way of descent into humiliation is also the way of the glorification of the Son, His way to be highly exalted before the throne of His Father.

So it cannot be a surprise to us when John notes of Christ's final resurrection appearance, "This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead." John 21:14

In the final appearance John wishes to present us with Him who is the glory of the Father, our exalted flesh and blood, who perfectly completed His work before God's throne! Three times the disciples, in themselves so slow of heart in believing, hear and see Him who descended and who was ascending to the Father.

It is John who records for us the third testimony from heaven, John 12:28. He also records the triple testimony of Pilate to Christ's innocence, and the triple testimony concerning the resurrection. And for the disciples, it all adds up to the one confession: Christ came from heaven, was innocent, but became guilty for us and for our sins. And His resurrection and ascension is proof of the perfect completion of His work on earth, and the guarantee that the full payment for our sins has been made!

How good was the Lord to His disciples in bringing them to understanding. He did not spare a triple witness of His truth to let the heart of the gospel sink in: Jesus is Messiah by perfect obedience, and by giving Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Later they also return to this triple testimony.

Peter says, “...we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure!" 2 Peter 1:18

But we also have not been left without the triple witness. Indeed, we have a greater triple witness today! For the same evangelist John who emphasizes the testimony of the threefold voice from heaven also says to us, "There are three witnesses: the Spirit, the water and the blood, and these three agree." 1 John 5:8

From heaven God also gave a threefold testimony, and that threefold testimony is now sealed on earth in word and sacrament through the Holy Spirit.

So we share a solid three-fold witness in the church today having received what the disciples received, and more. We have the witness to Christ's divine appointment, the witness to His coming exaltation, and the witness of the acceptance of His earthly work. Added to that is Pilate's threefold witness to the innocence of Christ. Only then did He die on the cross, after the triple witness to His exalted glory and perfect innocence in the sight of God. And then came the glorious witness of His resurrection! And the only and pure apostolic message is: He became guilty for our sakes, that we might become innocent before God's throne. He has made us whole again!

And who cannot but rejoice with such a manifold witness? God has taken good care of us! And His word cannot be broken! That remains all the more reason for us to live in thankfulness to Him!