John 8:26

I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

I have {G2192} many things {G4183} to say {G2980} and {G2532} to judge {G2919} of {G4012} you {G5216}: but {G235} he that sent {G3992} me {G3165} is {G2076} true {G227}; and I {G2504} speak {G3004} to {G1519} the world {G2889} those things {G5023} which {G3739} I have heard {G191} of {G3844} him {G846}.

There are many things I could say about you, and many judgments I could make. However, the One who sent me is true; so I say in the world only what I have heard from him.”

“I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”

I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world.

Context

John 8:26 is part of an intense dialogue between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees, during the Feast of Tabernacles. The chapter opens with the account of the woman caught in adultery, followed by Jesus declaring Himself the "Light of the World." The religious authorities repeatedly challenge His identity, authority, and the source of His teachings. In the verses leading up to 8:26, they question, "Who art thou?" (John 8:25). Jesus' response in verse 26 serves to re-emphasize His divine origin and the truthfulness of His message, contrasting it with their unbelief and spiritual blindness.

Key Themes

Divine Authority and Commission

Jesus clearly states that His words are not His own invention but are directly from "him that sent me," referring to God the Father. This underscores His unique divine commission and perfect obedience. He is the Father's faithful messenger, speaking only what He has heard and received. This concept is central to understanding Jesus' ministry and the absolute truth of His teachings.

The Father's Truthfulness

The phrase "but he that sent me is true" is a powerful affirmation of God's character. The Father is presented as utterly reliable, faithful, and the ultimate source of truth. Jesus grounds His own credibility and the veracity of His message in the inherent truthfulness of God. This challenges His listeners to consider that if they reject Jesus' words, they are effectively rejecting the very truth of God Himself. See also John 7:28.

Spiritual Revelation and Judgment

Jesus' opening remark, "I have many things to say and to judge of you," indicates that His mission involves revealing the truth about humanity's spiritual condition, including their sin and unbelief. This is a subtle warning that His words, though spoken in love, also carry a profound weight of spiritual discernment and, ultimately, judgment for those who reject the light. His purpose is to expose and correct, leading to a choice for or against the truth.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "true" here is alēthinós (ἀληθινός), which means not merely truthful but also genuine, real, and authentic. It implies that God is the true, ultimate reality, unlike anything false or counterfeit.
  • "Heard of him" (ἀκούω - akouō) denotes a direct and intimate reception of information, signifying that Jesus' message is not secondhand or speculative, but directly communicated from the Father. This highlights the profound unity and communication within the Trinity.

Practical Application

John 8:26 reminds us that Jesus' words carry divine authority because they originate from God the Father, who is perfectly true. For believers, this verse reinforces the trustworthiness of Scripture and the teachings of Christ. We can rely on His words as the ultimate source of truth and guidance, knowing that they reflect the very heart and mind of God. For those seeking truth, it points to Jesus as the authentic voice of God, whose words reveal both our spiritual state and God's pathway to salvation. His mission was to speak the truth, and our response to that truth determines our spiritual standing.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 15:15

    Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

  • John 12:47

    And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

  • John 12:50

    And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

  • John 8:40

    But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

  • 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.

  • John 7:28

    Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

  • John 7:16

    Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

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