John 8:13

KJV

The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Pharisees {G5330} therefore {G3767} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Thou {G4771} bearest record {G3140} of {G4012} thyself {G4572}; thy {G4675} record {G3141} is {G2076} not {G3756} true {G227}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the P’rushim said to him, “Now you’re testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.”

Berean Standard Bible

So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.”

American Standard Version

The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:13, the Pharisees directly challenge Jesus' profound declaration of being "the light of the world" by accusing Him of bearing self-testimony, which they deem invalid according to their interpretation of Mosaic Law. This verse encapsulates the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities, highlighting their legalistic mindset and spiritual blindness in the face of divine truth and authority. It sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent defense, where He redefines the nature of true witness, asserting His unique divine origin and the corroborating testimony of the Father.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' monumental claim in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." This declaration, made during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), likely within the Temple courts where large menorahs illuminated the celebration, was a direct and audacious assertion of His divine identity and salvific mission. The Pharisees' response in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees Challenge Jesus' Testimony") is a predictable, legalistic counter-argument, designed to undermine Jesus' authority by questioning the validity of His self-testimony. The subsequent verses ([John 8:14-18](/john/8-14-18 "John 8:14-18 - Jesus' Defense of His Testimony")) present Jesus' detailed defense, where He not only justifies His own witness but also introduces the Father's corroborating testimony, further escalating the theological debate.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The objection raised by the Pharisees in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees Challenge Jesus' Testimony") is deeply rooted in the legal principles of ancient Israel, particularly as found in the Mosaic Law. Passages like [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Two Witnesses Required") and [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses") explicitly state that "at the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall the matter be established." This legal standard was crucial for ensuring justice and preventing false accusations in a judicial system. The Pharisees, as guardians and interpreters of the Law, applied this human legal standard to Jesus' divine claims. They failed to grasp that Jesus' testimony, originating from His unique relationship with the Father and His divine nature, operated on a different plane of authority, one that transcended human legal requirements. Their cultural emphasis on external adherence to the Law blinded them to the spiritual truth embodied in Jesus.

* **Key Themes:** The exchange in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees Challenge Jesus' Testimony") contributes significantly to several major themes in the Gospel of John. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Jesus' Self-Attestation and Divine Authority**. Throughout John, Jesus consistently makes direct claims about His identity and relationship with God, often using "I AM" statements, as seen in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). Secondly, it highlights the **Conflict between Light and Darkness**, and the **Spiritual Blindness** of those who reject Jesus. The Pharisees, despite their religious erudition, represent the "darkness" that cannot comprehend or accept the "light" of Christ ([John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - Light and Darkness")). Their legalistic approach prevents them from discerning the spiritual reality of Jesus' claims. Finally, the theme of **Witness and Testimony** is central, as the validity of Jesus' "record" (testimony) becomes the focal point of contention, setting the stage for Jesus to explain the true nature of His divine witness, including that of the Father in [John 8:18](/john/8-18 "John 8:18 - The Father's Testimony").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** This term refers to a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. In the Gospels, they frequently appear as antagonists to Jesus, challenging His authority and interpretations of the Law. Their objection here is consistent with their legalistic worldview, which often prioritized external observance over spiritual discernment.
* **bearest record (Greek, _martyréō'_):** Derived from the word for "witness," this verb means "to be a witness, to testify, or to bear record." It carries a strong legal connotation, referring to the act of providing evidence or testimony. The Pharisees' use of this term highlights their framing of Jesus' statement as a legal claim that requires corroboration.
* **record (Greek, _martyría'_):** This noun, closely related to `martyréō`, refers to the "evidence given," "testimony," or "witness." It is the substance of what is attested. The Pharisees argue that the "record" Jesus provides about Himself is insufficient because it lacks external validation.
* **true (Greek, _alēthḗs'_):** This adjective means "true" in the sense of not concealing, genuine, or actual. The Pharisees' assertion that Jesus' record is "not true" implies it is invalid, unreliable, or even false, specifically because it lacks the required corroboration under their legal framework.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Pharisees therefore said unto him,"**: This opening clause establishes the speakers and their immediate response to Jesus' declaration in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). The "therefore" (`oûn`) indicates that their statement is a direct consequence or reaction to Jesus' bold claim of being the "light of the world," which they perceived as a self-aggrandizing and unsubstantiated assertion.
* **"Thou bearest record of thyself;"**: This is the core of the Pharisees' accusation. They are pointing out that Jesus is the sole witness to His own claims. Their objection stems from the Old Testament legal principle that a single witness's testimony is insufficient to establish a fact, particularly in serious matters. They apply this human legal standard to Jesus' divine self-revelation, thereby dismissing His authority.
* **"thy record is not true."**: This concluding clause delivers their verdict. Because Jesus' testimony about Himself lacks external corroboration, they declare it "not true" or invalid. This is not necessarily an accusation of outright falsehood, but rather a declaration of its legal insufficiency and therefore unreliability from their perspective. They are asserting that His claim, being unverified by another, cannot be accepted as credible.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Legal Language** or **Forensic Metaphor** is central, as the entire exchange is framed in terms of witness, testimony, and legal validity. The Greek words `martyréō` (to bear record) and `martyría` (record/testimony) are legal terms, indicating that the Pharisees are attempting to put Jesus on trial, judging His claims by their established judicial standards. There is also a profound **Antithesis** at play: Jesus, the embodiment of truth, is accused of having a "not true" record by those who claim to uphold truth. This highlights the stark contrast between divine truth and human, legalistic understanding. Furthermore, **Irony** is evident in the fact that the religious leaders, who should be most attuned to God's revelation, are spiritually blind to the Truth standing before them, clinging instead to rigid interpretations of the Law that prevent them from recognizing the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Pharisees' challenge to Jesus' self-testimony in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees Challenge Jesus' Testimony") exposes a fundamental misunderstanding of divine authority and the nature of truth. While human courts require multiple witnesses for corroboration, God's testimony, and by extension, the testimony of His Son, stands on its own inherent divine authority. Jesus is not merely a human claimant; He is the Son of God, whose origin and destiny are known only to Himself and the Father. Therefore, His witness, though singular in human terms, is ultimately corroborated by the Father, making it supremely true and valid. This exchange underscores the unique nature of Jesus' identity and the inadequacy of human legal frameworks to fully comprehend or validate divine revelation.

* [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Two Witnesses Required"): "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."
* [John 5:31](/john/5-31 "John 5:31 - Jesus' Testimony"): "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true." (Jesus' earlier statement, which He clarifies in John 8 by introducing the Father's witness).
* [John 8:18](/john/8-18 "John 8:18 - The Father Also Bears Witness"): "I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The confrontation in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees Challenge Jesus' Testimony") serves as a powerful reminder that human logic and legalistic adherence, while valuable in their own spheres, can become formidable barriers to spiritual understanding when applied rigidly to divine truths. The Pharisees, with their meticulous focus on external rules, missed the profound spiritual reality embodied in Jesus. For believers today, this passage challenges us to move beyond superficial or purely intellectual assessments of faith. It calls us to cultivate a heart that is open to divine revelation, even when it transcends our preconceived notions or challenges our comfortable frameworks. True spiritual discernment requires not just knowledge of the Law, but a willingness to recognize and receive the living Truth. It encourages us to trust in the inherent authority of God's Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ, rather than seeking external validation for truths that are self-authenticating by virtue of their divine origin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be applying human logic or legalistic thinking to spiritual matters, thereby limiting my understanding or experience of God?**
* **How do I respond when divine truth challenges my established beliefs or comfortable interpretations? Am I open to new revelation?**
* **Do I recognize the inherent authority of Jesus' self-testimony, or do I unconsciously seek external validation for His claims?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater spiritual discernment that allows me to perceive truth beyond mere intellectual assent?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Pharisees claim Jesus' testimony was "not true"?**

Answer: The Pharisees claimed Jesus' testimony was "not true" not necessarily because they believed He was lying, but because they understood it to be legally invalid according to their interpretation of Mosaic Law. The Law, as found in [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Two Witnesses Required") and [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses"), required the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish a matter, especially in serious accusations. Since Jesus was testifying about Himself, they considered His "record" or "witness" to be uncorroborated and therefore inadmissible or unreliable by their legal standards. They were applying a human judicial principle to a divine claim, failing to recognize Jesus' unique authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees Challenge Jesus' Testimony") profoundly underscores the unique nature of Christ's identity and the divine authority of His witness. While the Pharisees, bound by human legal frameworks, dismissed Jesus' self-testimony as "not true," Jesus later clarifies that His testimony is indeed valid because He knows His divine origin and destination ([John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' Knowledge of His Origin")). More importantly, He asserts that the Father who sent Him also bears witness of Him ([John 8:18](/john/8-18 "John 8:18 - The Father Also Bears Witness")). This points to Christ as the ultimate and faithful witness, whose testimony is not merely human but divine. In the New Testament, Jesus is called "the faithful and true witness" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness")), and His life, death, and resurrection serve as God's ultimate testimony to humanity. The Holy Spirit also bears witness to Christ ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit of Truth Bears Witness")), empowering believers to proclaim this truth. Thus, the very "record" the Pharisees dismissed is the foundational truth of the Gospel, validated by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, inviting all to believe in the One who is the Light of the World ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 5:31

¶ If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

John 5:47

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?