The answer is: Nature and creation

John 5:31-47

In the Gospel of John, we see a deliberate crafting of the witness that tests Jesus’ claims and grounds his divine authority. Among the declared witnesses are John the Baptist, Jesus' miraculous works, the Father Himself, and the Scriptures. Each one adds layers to the understanding of who Jesus is and the mission He undertakes.

Yet, what's fascinating is that nature and creation, which constantly point us to order and the Creator's hand, are conspicuously absent from John's official line-up. In other parts of the Bible, such as Romans 1:20, we learn that creation itself speaks to God's attributes: His eternal power and divine nature are made clear through what has been made. While nature's silent testimony bears significant weight, it acts as a backdrop to the more direct witnesses appointed in John.

The intricacies of the Gospel of John also highlight a Jewish context, where the Jewish law and scriptures held grave authority and weight. When Jesus elaborates on divine truth, he fortifies his dependence on the legacy and testimony of Jewish tradition while transcending it through his unique stature and works.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the theme of 'witness' in John echoes back to the idea that multiple voices—human, scripture-based, and divine—confirm the same truth. It emphasizes the collaborative character of faith, welcoming all to parse the evidence, from the miraculous to the mundane. Ultimately, whether through external or internal witness, the journey to understanding Jesus involves various threads, inviting each of us to delve deeper into our own observations.