John 8:14

KJV

Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, [yet] my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Though {G2579} I {G1473} bear record {G3140} of {G4012} myself {G1683}, yet my {G3450} record {G3141} is {G2076} true {G227}: for {G3754} I know {G1492} whence {G4159} I came {G2064}, and {G2532} whither {G4226} I go {G5217}; but {G1161} ye {G5210} cannot {G3756} tell {G1492} whence {G4159} I come {G2064}, and {G2532} whither {G4226} I go {G5217}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered them, “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony is indeed valid; because I know where I came from and where I’m going; but you do not know where I came from or where I’m going.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.

American Standard Version

Jesus answered and said unto them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I come, or whither I go.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:14, Jesus directly confronts the Pharisees' challenge to His self-testimony, asserting its inherent truthfulness. He grounds this claim not in human corroboration but in His unique, divine knowledge of His origin and ultimate destination. This profound statement distinguishes Jesus from all humanity, revealing His pre-existent relationship with the Father and His destined return, while simultaneously exposing the spiritual inability of His accusers to grasp these heavenly realities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an immediate and forceful response to the Pharisees' accusation in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees' Challenge to Jesus' Testimony"), where they declare, "Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true." The preceding verse, [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), features Jesus' powerful declaration, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." This bold claim, made within the Temple treasury during the Feast of Tabernacles, directly provoked the Pharisees, who, steeped in their legalistic interpretation of the Mosaic Law, immediately questioned the validity of His self-witness. Jesus' response in [John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' True Testimony") therefore serves as a crucial pivot in this escalating theological debate, shifting the argument from human legal standards to divine authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jewish legal tradition, rooted in Mosaic Law, typically required the testimony of "two or three witnesses" to establish the truth of a matter or to convict someone ([Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses") and [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses")). The Pharisees, as guardians of this law, naturally applied this standard to Jesus' claims. From their perspective, Jesus' self-testimony was invalid because it lacked external corroboration. The setting in the Temple treasury, a public and significant space, further amplified the confrontational nature of this exchange. Jesus' declaration of knowing His origin and destination would have sounded audacious, even blasphemous, to those who saw Him merely as a man from Nazareth, especially given the common Jewish expectation of a Messiah whose origin would be mysterious or unknown ([John 7:27](/john/7-27 "John 7:27 - Question of the Messiah's Origin")).
* **Key Themes:** [John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' True Testimony") contributes significantly to several major themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Divinity and Authority of Jesus**, asserting that His truth is self-validating due to His unique relationship with the Father and His divine knowledge. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Witness and Testimony**, particularly the contrast between human and divine witness, a concept explored extensively in [John 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Jesus' Authority and Witnesses"). Thirdly, the verse powerfully illustrates **Spiritual Blindness and Unbelief**, as the Pharisees' inability to comprehend Jesus' origin and destination reveals their spiritual inability to perceive divine truth, a recurring motif throughout John, such as in the discourse with Nicodemus about being [born again](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **record (Greek, _martyría'_):** This noun, derived from the verb _martyréō_ (to witness), refers to "evidence given (judicially or genitive case)." In this context, it signifies the testimony or witness that Jesus bears concerning Himself. The Pharisees' challenge in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees' Challenge to Jesus' Testimony") directly questions the validity of this self-testimony based on human legal standards. Jesus' assertion that "my record is true" directly counters their legalistic objection, claiming an inherent, divine authenticity for His witness.
* **true (Greek, _alēthḗs'_):** This adjective means "true (as not concealing)." It implies sincerity, veracity, and conformity to reality, particularly a reality that is open and not hidden. Jesus' use of _alēthḗs_ here emphasizes that His testimony is not merely accurate in a factual sense, but it is fundamentally real and trustworthy because it originates from a place of perfect knowledge and divine being. Unlike human testimony, which can be flawed or deceptive, Jesus' witness is unadulterated truth.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb, used here in the perfect tense, means "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, to know." It denotes a deep, intuitive, and experiential understanding, rather than mere intellectual acquaintance. When Jesus states, "I know whence I came, and whither I go," He is not expressing a belief or an assumption, but an absolute, unshakeable, and comprehensive knowledge that stems from His divine nature and pre-existence. This knowledge is the foundation upon which He declares His self-testimony to be true.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus answered and said unto them":** This phrase establishes the immediate context as a direct response to the Pharisees' challenge in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees' Challenge to Jesus' Testimony"). Jesus is not merely offering an opinion but engaging in a theological debate with authoritative clarity.
* **"Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true":** Jesus acknowledges the Pharisees' legalistic objection regarding self-testimony but immediately asserts the truthfulness of His own witness. The "though... yet" construction highlights the tension between their human standard and His divine reality. His testimony is true not despite being self-attested, but precisely because of who He is.
* **"for I know whence I came, and whither I go":** This clause provides the divine justification for the truthfulness of His self-testimony. Jesus possesses unique, inherent knowledge of His divine origin (from the Father) and His ultimate destiny (return to the Father). This knowledge is the basis of His authority and the irrefutable proof of His claims. It points to His pre-existence and His eschatological role.
* **"but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go":** This stark contrast exposes the spiritual blindness and limited understanding of the Pharisees. Their inability to discern Jesus' divine origin and destination is not a lack of intellectual capacity but a spiritual incapacity, a refusal to believe that prevents them from grasping heavenly truths. This highlights the chasm between divine revelation and human perception limited by unbelief.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' True Testimony") is **Contrast**. Jesus directly contrasts His perfect, divine knowledge ("I know whence I came, and whither I go") with the spiritual ignorance and inability of His accusers ("but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go"). This stark juxtaposition serves to highlight Jesus' unique identity and authority while simultaneously exposing the spiritual limitations of those who oppose Him. Furthermore, the verse employs **Assertion**, as Jesus makes a definitive and unqualified statement about the truth of His testimony, grounding it in His own being. This is not a humble suggestion but a declaration of ultimate truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' True Testimony") is a pivotal statement on the nature of truth and the unique authority of Jesus. It asserts that Jesus' testimony is inherently true, not because it is corroborated by external witnesses, but because it is grounded in His divine knowledge of His own origin and destiny. This challenges the human-centric legal framework of the Pharisees, elevating the standard of truth to a divine plane. Jesus, as the Son of God, is the ultimate source and embodiment of truth, and His self-revelation is therefore self-validating. This passage underscores that true understanding of Jesus requires more than adherence to human law; it demands spiritual discernment and faith in His divine identity.

* [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses")
* [John 5:31-32](/john/5-31-32 "John 5:31-32 - Jesus' Witness and the Father's Witness")
* [John 7:28-29](/john/7-28-29 "John 7:28-29 - Jesus' Origin from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' True Testimony") invites us to reflect deeply on the source of our understanding of Jesus and the nature of truth itself. In a world often skeptical of absolute truth and prone to questioning authority, Jesus' unwavering declaration of His self-validating testimony stands as a profound challenge. Do we, like the Pharisees, attempt to evaluate Jesus through purely human lenses, applying our limited frameworks to an infinite God? Or do we approach Him with an open heart, acknowledging His unique divine knowledge and authority? This verse calls us to trust in Jesus' self-revelation as the ultimate truth about God, humanity, and salvation. It reminds us that our faith is not based on human opinion or external validation alone, but on the inherent veracity of the One who knows exactly "whence He came, and whither He goes." Embracing this truth leads to a deeper, more secure foundation for our faith and a clearer understanding of God's redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' claim to know His origin and destiny challenge your own understanding of His identity?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Pharisees, inadvertently apply human standards or expectations to divine truth?**
* **What does it mean for your faith that Jesus' testimony about Himself is inherently true, not requiring external validation?**
* **How can acknowledging Jesus' unique knowledge of His origin and destiny deepen your trust in His teachings and authority?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jesus' self-testimony considered problematic by the Pharisees?**

Answer: The Pharisees' objection to Jesus' self-testimony in [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees' Challenge to Jesus' Testimony") stemmed directly from their interpretation of Jewish law, specifically the Mosaic principle requiring two or three witnesses to validate a testimony or accusation ([Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses"); [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses")). From their legalistic perspective, a person's testimony about themselves was considered invalid without corroborating witnesses. They viewed Jesus as merely a man, and thus, His claim to be the "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")) was, in their eyes, an unsubstantiated, self-serving assertion that violated established legal procedures. Their inability to perceive His divine nature prevented them from understanding that His testimony operated on a higher, divine plane, where His inherent knowledge and identity served as the ultimate witness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' True Testimony") profoundly reveals the Christ-centered nature of salvation and truth. Jesus' assertion, "I know whence I came, and whither I go," points directly to His unique status as the pre-existent Son of God, who "came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father" ([John 16:28](/john/16-28 "John 16:28 - Jesus' Origin and Return")). This divine trajectory—from God, to humanity, and back to God—is the very essence of the Gospel. He is the unique mediator, the only one who truly knows God and can reveal Him ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Son Reveals the Father")). His knowing "whence I came" speaks to His incarnation, where He "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). His knowing "whither I go" foreshadows His atoning death, resurrection, and ascension, where He "entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" ([Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Entry into Heaven")). Therefore, Jesus' self-testimony is true because He is the Christ, the divine Son, whose entire existence and mission are rooted in His intimate, eternal relationship with the Father, culminating in His redemptive work for humanity. Our faith is not in a self-proclaimed prophet, but in the unique Son who alone possesses perfect knowledge of God and the path to Him, making His testimony the ultimate, saving truth.

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 13:3

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

John 16:28

¶ I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

John 8:42

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

John 14:10

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 17:8

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Numbers 12:3

(Now the man Moses [was] very meek, above all the men which [were] upon the face of the earth.)

John 7:27

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.