John 8:26

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.”

Berean Standard Bible

“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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:26, Jesus asserts His divine authority and the truthfulness of His message, declaring that He possesses much to say and judge concerning His listeners, but His words are ultimately derived from God the Father, who is inherently true. This verse highlights Jesus' role as the faithful messenger of divine revelation, emphasizing that His teachings are not His own invention but a direct transmission of the Father's will and truth to the world, thereby underscoring the profound implications of accepting or rejecting His words.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 8:26 is embedded within a protracted and often hostile dialogue between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The chapter begins with the dramatic account of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus demonstrates both divine mercy and authoritative judgment. Following this, Jesus declares Himself the "[Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), which immediately provokes intense questioning from the Pharisees regarding His identity and the source of His authority. The preceding verses ([John 8:21-25](/john/8-21-25 "John 8:21-25 - Jesus' Departure and the Pharisees' Unbelief")) see Jesus warning them that they will die in their sins because they do not believe "that I am he" (a veiled reference to His divine nature). Their persistent question, "Who art thou?" ([John 8:25](/john/8-25 "John 8:25 - The Pharisees Question Jesus' Identity")), sets the immediate stage for Jesus' response in verse 26, where He pivots from their unbelief to the unimpeachable truthfulness of the One who sent Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, which typically involved elaborate rituals, including water libations and the lighting of large menorahs, symbolizing God's provision and presence. Jesus' declaration as the "Light of the World" and His subsequent teachings would have resonated deeply within this festive, yet religiously charged, atmosphere. The Jewish leaders, steeped in Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition, were particularly sensitive to claims of divine authority, especially from someone who did not fit their preconceived notions of the Messiah. Their challenge to Jesus' testimony ("Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true." [John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - The Pharisees Challenge Jesus' Testimony")) reflects the legalistic framework of the time, where two witnesses were required for a testimony to be valid. Jesus' response consistently points to the Father as His co-witness, a concept the leaders struggled to grasp due to their spiritual blindness and entrenched traditions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Authority and Commission**. Jesus consistently presents Himself not as an independent agent, but as one sent by the Father, speaking only what the Father has commanded or revealed (e.g., [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus Does What He Sees the Father Doing"), [John 12:49](/john/12-49 "John 12:49 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Commands")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Truthfulness of God**. The Father is portrayed as the ultimate standard of truth, and Jesus' message derives its veracity directly from this divine source. This theme is crucial for John, who frequently contrasts divine truth with human error and deception. Thirdly, the verse touches upon **Spiritual Revelation and Judgment**. Jesus' "many things to say and to judge" imply that His words carry both revelatory power, exposing the spiritual condition of humanity, and a judicial weight, discerning between belief and unbelief. His mission is to speak the truth, which inherently brings a crisis of decision for His hearers, leading either to salvation or condemnation ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Belief and Condemnation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **have (Greek, _échō'_):** G2192 (ἔχω). This verb signifies possession, holding, or being in a certain state. Here, Jesus "has" or possesses "many things to say and to judge." It indicates His inherent right and capacity, given by the Father, to speak authoritatively and to discern the spiritual state of His listeners. It is not merely a potential, but a present reality of His divine prerogative.
* **true (Greek, _alēthḗs'_):** G227 (ἀληθής). This adjective describes the Father as "true." Unlike _alēthinós_ (which emphasizes genuineness or reality), _alēthḗs_ primarily means "not concealing," hence reliable, trustworthy, and veracious. It speaks to the Father's absolute fidelity and consistency with Himself, making Him the ultimate standard of truth. This attribute of the Father undergirds the absolute reliability of Jesus' message.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** G191 (ἀκούω). This verb means "to hear," "to give audience," or "to understand." When Jesus states, "I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him," it emphasizes the direct, intimate, and authoritative nature of His reception of the Father's words. It implies perfect communion and understanding between the Father and the Son, ensuring that Jesus' message is a faithful and unadulterated transmission of divine truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have many things to say and to judge of you:"** Jesus begins by asserting His prerogative and capacity to speak and to discern the spiritual condition of His audience. The "many things" refer to the comprehensive scope of His message, which includes both revelation (things to "say") and discernment (things to "judge"). This judgment is not necessarily condemnation at this point, but a spiritual assessment that exposes their unbelief and spiritual blindness, inviting them to confront the truth about themselves in light of His words.
* **"but he that sent me is true;"** This is a crucial pivot. Despite the "many things to say and to judge" that might challenge His listeners, Jesus grounds the validity of His entire mission and message in the inherent truthfulness of God the Father. The "but" (G235, _allá_) introduces a strong contrast, emphasizing that while His words may be difficult for them to accept, their ultimate source is unimpeachable. The Father's truthfulness guarantees the veracity of Jesus' claims and teachings.
* **"and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him."** This clause clarifies Jesus' mission and the nature of His message. He is the faithful messenger, communicating directly what He has "heard" from the Father. The phrase "to the world" (G1519, _eis_ G2889, _kósmos_) indicates the universal scope of His revelation. His words are not His own, but a direct, authoritative transmission of divine truth, intended for all humanity. This reiterates His dependence on and perfect obedience to the Father.

#### Literary Devices
John 8:26 employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is prominent, setting Jesus' "many things to say and to judge" concerning His listeners against the absolute truthfulness of the Father who sent Him. This highlights the tension between human unbelief and divine veracity. The verse also utilizes **Assertion** or **Declaration**, as Jesus makes authoritative statements about His identity, His relationship with the Father, and the source of His message. This declarative style underscores His divine authority. Furthermore, there is an element of **Metonymy** in "the world," which stands for humanity, particularly those who are spiritually lost or hostile to God's truth, indicating the broad scope of Jesus' mission to reveal the Father's truth to all.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:26 profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative of divine revelation and the nature of God. It asserts that Jesus is the ultimate and most reliable source of truth because His words are not self-generated but perfectly reflect the character and will of God the Father, who is inherently true. This truthfulness of the Father is the bedrock upon which all of Jesus' claims and teachings rest, thereby validating the entirety of His ministry. To reject Jesus' words is, therefore, to reject the very truth of God Himself. This verse reinforces the Trinitarian concept of unity in purpose and message, where the Son perfectly embodies and articulates the Father's truth.
* [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus Does What He Sees the Father Doing")
* [John 7:28](/john/7-28 "John 7:28 - God is True")
* [John 12:49-50](/john/12-49-50 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Commands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 8:26 serves as a powerful reminder of the absolute authority and trustworthiness of Jesus' words. In a world saturated with competing narratives and subjective truths, this verse anchors us in the unchanging reality that Jesus speaks with the very voice of God. For believers, this means we can fully trust His teachings as the infallible guide for our lives, knowing they originate from the perfectly true God. It calls us to a deeper commitment to studying and obeying His Word, recognizing that in doing so, we are aligning ourselves with divine truth. For those grappling with doubt or seeking spiritual direction, this verse points to Jesus as the authentic revealer of God, whose words expose our spiritual condition while simultaneously offering the path to life. Our response to Jesus' words—whether in acceptance or rejection—carries eternal significance, for they are the words of truth from the True One.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that Jesus' words come directly from the "true" Father impact your trust in the Bible and His teachings?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be resisting the "things to say and to judge" that Jesus' words reveal about you?**
* **How can you more intentionally listen to and apply the truths Jesus "heard" from the Father to your daily decisions and worldview?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "I have many things to say and to judge of you"?**

Answer: This phrase indicates Jesus' divine prerogative and insight into the spiritual condition of His listeners. "To say" refers to the comprehensive revelation of truth He came to deliver, while "to judge" implies a discernment or assessment of their hearts and actions in light of that truth. It's not necessarily an immediate pronouncement of condemnation, but a statement that His words expose their unbelief and spiritual blindness, bringing them to a crisis point where they must decide whether to accept or reject the truth He embodies and speaks. His words are not neutral; they carry a profound weight of spiritual discernment and consequence, revealing both their sin and the path to salvation.

**Why is it significant that "he that sent me is true"?**

Answer: This statement is profoundly significant because it grounds the entire credibility and authority of Jesus' mission and message in the inherent character of God the Father. In a context where Jesus' opponents were questioning His legitimacy and the source of His teachings, Jesus asserts that His ultimate validator is God, who is perfectly reliable, faithful, and the very embodiment of truth. If the Father is "true," then everything Jesus, as His faithful messenger, speaks and does must also be true. This challenges His listeners to recognize that their rejection of Jesus is, in essence, a rejection of God's own truth. It assures us that Jesus' words are not human speculation but divine revelation, utterly trustworthy and dependable. As Jesus later states, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")".

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:26 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' unique role as the perfect and ultimate revelation of God. As the Son, Jesus is the one through whom the "true" Father fully discloses Himself to humanity. The "many things to say and to judge" that Jesus possesses are the very words of God, spoken in human form, bringing both light to expose sin and grace to offer salvation. This verse foreshadows Jesus' complete faithfulness as the Father's messenger, culminating in His atoning death and resurrection, which perfectly fulfill God's redemptive plan. He is the Word made flesh, who "dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The truth Jesus speaks, "which I have heard of him," is not merely information but a living, transformative reality that finds its ultimate expression in His person and work. His words lead to eternal life because they are the Father's words, and the Father is "true" ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Peter's Confession of Jesus' Words of Life")). Thus, Jesus is the embodiment of the Father's truth, and through Him, we receive the full and final revelation necessary for salvation and life. As the author of Hebrews declares, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")).

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 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.