King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Why don’t you understand what I’m saying? Because you can’t bear to listen to my message.
Berean Standard Bible:
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.
American Standard Version:
Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Why{G1302} do ye{G1097} not{G3756} understand{G1097} my{G1699} speech{G2981}? even because{G3754} ye cannot{G3756}{G1410} hear{G191} my{G1699} word{G3056}.
Cross-References (KJV):
John 12:39
- Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
John 12:40
- He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
John 5:43
- I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Romans 8:7
- Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Romans 8:8
- So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
John 7:17
- If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.
John 6:60
- ¶ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard [this], said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for John 8:43
John 8:43 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, where Jesus is engaged in a dialogue with a group of Jews who had believed in him. The verse reads, "Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word." In this passage, Jesus is addressing a fundamental disconnect between himself and his interlocutors. The themes of understanding and hearing are central to this verse.
The historical context of this verse is set within the broader ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Sukkot or Tabernacles. During this period, Jesus was publicly teaching in the Temple, and his words and actions were being closely scrutinized by the Jewish leaders, who were increasingly skeptical and hostile towards him.
In the verse, Jesus highlights a spiritual deafness that prevents the Jews from comprehending his teachings. The term "speech" (or "language" in some translations) refers to the mode of communication Jesus uses, while "word" refers to the content or message he is trying to convey. Jesus suggests that the issue is not with his method of delivery but with their ability to truly "hear" and accept the deeper truth he embodies. This inability to understand is not rooted in intellectual incapacity but in a moral and spiritual resistance to the message Jesus brings—a message of salvation, love, and divine truth.
The verse touches on the theme of spiritual discernment, which is a recurring motif in the Gospel of John. It reflects the idea that a person must be spiritually attuned to God to grasp the true meaning of Jesus' teachings. This spiritual readiness is associated with being "born again" or "born of the Spirit," as Jesus explains earlier in John 3.
In summary, John 8:43 captures a moment of tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, revealing the spiritual obstacles that prevent them from understanding his message. Jesus implies that true comprehension is not merely an intellectual exercise but requires a heart open to God's word and a willingness to be transformed by it. This verse underscores the importance of spiritual receptivity in the Christian faith, emphasizing that one must be in harmony with God to fully grasp the teachings of Christ.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1302
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διατί
Transliteration: diatí
Pronunciation: dee-at-ee'
Description: from διά and τίς; through what cause ?, i.e. why?:--wherefore, why. - Strong's Number: G1097
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γινώσκω
Transliteration: ginṓskō
Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G1699
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμός
Transliteration: emós
Pronunciation: em-os'
Description: from the oblique cases of ἐγώ (ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἐμέ); my:--of me, mine (own), my. - Strong's Number: G2981
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαλιά
Transliteration: laliá
Pronunciation: lal-ee-ah'
Description: from λαλέω; talk:--saying, speech. - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G1410
There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύναμαι
Transliteration: dýnamai
Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power. - Strong's Number: G191
There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀκούω
Transliteration: akoúō
Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand. - Strong's Number: G3056
There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λόγος
Transliteration: lógos
Pronunciation: log'-os
Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.