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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"I am One that bear witness of Myself; and the Father that sent Me beareth witness of Me." Had He been of inferior substance, He would not have put this. But now that thou mayest not deem that the Father is included, to make up the number (of two), observe that His power hath nothing different (from the Father's). …
Cyril of Alexandria
Having said that God the Father will co-judge and co-condemn those who blaspheme against Him, He taketh the pair of Persons unto something else that is profitable. For I (He says) will not refuse to tell you what I am by Nature. For I am the Light of the world. And I would not seem to any to be fond of boasting: for not in external endowments but in those that accrue to Me Essentially do I glory. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Arians and Eunomians, who do not acknowledge the Son as Consubstantial with the Father, let them say here: "If He were not Consubstantial, how would He have dared to say, 'I have testimony and credibility the same as the Father'?" As two people testify about something and their testimony is true (Deut. 19:15), it is evident that their credibility is also equal. So here too He proves that His own testimony is in no way inferior to the testimony of the Father. For listen with what authority He speaks further:
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
He had spoken of judgment; He means to speak of testimony. "In your law," saith He, "it is written that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me." He expounded the law to them also, if they were not unthankful. For it is a great question, my brethren, and to me it certainly appears to have been ordained in a mystery, where God said, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall stand." Is truth sought by two witnesses? …
Thomas Aquinas
Then (v 17), He shows that he is not alone in bearing witness. He does not defer bearing witness, as he does his judging. Thus he does not say, "I do not bear witness." First, he mentions the Law; secondly, he gives his conclusion (v 18). He says, And it is written in your Law, the Law which was given to you - "Moses imposed a law" (Sir 24:33), that the testimony of two men is true; for it is written in Deuteronomy (19:15): "By the mouth of the two or three witnesses the issue will be settled." According to Augustine the statement …
Bonaventure
"And in your Law it is written that the testimony of two men is true," that is, acceptable; Deuteronomy nineteen: "In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall stand."
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