John 8:38

KJV

¶ I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

KJV (with Strong's)

I {G1473} speak {G2980} that which {G3739} I have seen {G3708} with {G3844} my {G3450} Father {G3962}: and {G2532} ye {G5210} do {G4160} that {G3767} which {G3739} ye have seen {G3708} with {G3844} your {G5216} father {G3962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I say what my Father has shown me; you do what your father has told you!”

Berean Standard Bible

I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

American Standard Version

I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:38, Jesus starkly contrasts the source of His words and actions with those of His Jewish interlocutors, revealing a fundamental divergence in spiritual parentage. He asserts that His message and deeds are a direct reflection of His intimate communion with God the Father, while their opposition and hostile intentions betray an allegiance to a different, ungodly "father." This declaration serves as a pivotal point in the escalating conflict, unmasking the spiritual roots of their disbelief and setting the stage for Jesus's further revelations about their true spiritual lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a protracted and increasingly acrimonious debate between Jesus and the Jewish leaders (Pharisees and other religious authorities) in [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus Debates the Jewish Leaders"). The chapter begins with the account of the woman caught in adultery, which Jesus masterfully navigates, demonstrating His divine wisdom and mercy. Following this, Jesus declares Himself the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), leading to a series of confrontations where He asserts His divine origin, His unique relationship with the Father, and the liberating power of His truth ([John 8:31-32](/john/8-31-32 "John 8:31-32 - Truth Sets You Free")). The leaders repeatedly challenge His claims, questioning His identity and lineage, often invoking their heritage as descendants of Abraham. Jesus's statement in [John 8:38](/john/8-38 "John 8:38 - Whose Father Do You Follow?") directly precedes His pointed accusation that they are not truly Abraham's children because they seek to kill Him, culminating in the shocking revelation in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - You Are of Your Father the Devil") that their father is the devil.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is likely the Temple courts in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of heightened religious fervor and pilgrimage. The Jewish leaders, custodians of the Mosaic Law and the Abrahamic covenant, viewed themselves as God's chosen people, heirs to a divine legacy. Their identity was inextricably linked to their physical descent from Abraham. Jesus's claims to divine authority and His perceived disregard for their traditions were deeply offensive and threatening to their established power structure and theological framework. The concept of "father" in this context extends beyond mere biological lineage to encompass spiritual and ideological parentage, signifying the source of one's character, beliefs, and actions. To suggest that someone had a "father" other than God (especially for a Jew) was a profound insult and a challenge to their very identity and religious standing.
* **Key Themes:** [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus's Identity and the Truth") is rich with several interconnected themes. The central theme is **Truth vs. Deception**, with Jesus presenting Himself as the embodiment of truth ([John 8:32](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Will Set You Free")) and exposing the lies and self-deception of His opponents. Closely related is the theme of **Spiritual Lineage and True Sonship**, which is directly addressed in [John 8:38](/john/8-38 "John 8:38 - Whose Father Do You Follow?"). Jesus argues that true sonship is not merely biological but spiritual, demonstrated by obedience and alignment with the Father's will. Their desire to kill Jesus reveals that their true spiritual father is not Abraham or God, but one who is a "murderer from the beginning" ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Father of Lies")). This also ties into the theme of **Witness and Revelation**, as Jesus consistently testifies to what He has "seen with His Father," emphasizing the direct, experiential nature of His divine knowledge and authority, contrasting it with the spiritual blindness of those who reject Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **speak (Greek, _laléō'_):** This word, meaning "to utter words" or "to talk," emphasizes the act of vocalizing and communicating. In Jesus's context, it signifies the authoritative declaration of divine truth, directly derived from His intimate observation and communion with the Father. It's not just talking, but speaking with authority and revelation.
* **seen (Greek, _horáō'_):** This verb means "to stare at," "to discern clearly" (physically or mentally), or "to perceive." When Jesus says He has "seen" with His Father, it implies a profound, direct, and experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual understanding. It suggests an intimate, shared existence and observation of divine realities, which forms the basis of His teaching and actions.
* **father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** This primary word refers to a "father" literally or figuratively. In this verse, it is used twice, highlighting a stark contrast: Jesus's "my Father" refers to God, emphasizing His unique divine sonship and intimate relationship. The opponents' "your father" initially refers to Abraham (as they claimed), but Jesus progressively reveals it to be a spiritual father who is opposed to God, ultimately identified as the devil in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - Your Father the Devil"). The term thus carries significant weight regarding spiritual origin and allegiance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I speak that which I have seen with my Father:"** Jesus asserts the divine origin and authority of His message. His words are not His own invention or human speculation; they are a direct reflection of what He has intimately perceived and experienced in the presence of God the Father. This emphasizes His unique, pre-existent relationship with the Father and the truthfulness of His revelation. His speaking is an outflow of His seeing and being with God.
* **"and ye do that which ye have seen with your father."** This clause presents a stark and damning contrast. Just as Jesus's actions and words are consistent with His divine Father, the actions and intentions of His Jewish opponents reveal their true spiritual parentage. Their desire to kill Him, their rejection of truth, and their adherence to falsehood are behaviors learned and adopted from their "father," whom Jesus will later identify as the devil. The phrase "ye do" (Greek: _poiéō_) signifies their active participation and embodiment of their father's nature.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. Foremost is **Antithesis**, a rhetorical device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas or statements. Jesus's statement is structured as a direct contrast between "I speak...with my Father" and "ye do...with your father," highlighting the fundamental opposition between their spiritual origins and their resulting behaviors. This creates a sharp distinction between divine truth and human (or demonic) error. There is also strong **Parallelism** in the structure of the two clauses, which reinforces the antithetical message: "I speak...I have seen with my Father" is mirrored by "ye do...ye have seen with your father." This structural repetition emphasizes the direct correlation between one's spiritual father and one's actions. Furthermore, the use of **Symbolism** is evident in the concept of "seeing." It is not merely physical sight but a profound spiritual perception and intimate understanding, representing the source of one's knowledge, character, and allegiance. The "father" also functions as a **symbol** for the ultimate source of spiritual identity and influence, whether divine or demonic.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:38 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that one's spiritual allegiance dictates one's character, words, and deeds. Jesus, as the Son, perfectly reflects the Father's nature and will, speaking and doing only what He has intimately "seen" with God. Conversely, the Jewish leaders' escalating hostility, their inability to grasp Jesus's truth, and their murderous intent reveal that their spiritual "father" is not God, nor even Abraham in a spiritual sense, but one whose nature is diametrically opposed to God's. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic revelation in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil as Father"), where Jesus explicitly identifies their father as the devil, a liar and a murderer from the beginning. This highlights the critical distinction between true children of God, who hear and obey His word, and those who, by their rejection of Christ, demonstrate their true spiritual parentage.

* [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Does What He Sees the Father Do")
* [1 John 3:10](/1_john/3-10 "1 John 3:10 - Children of God and Children of the Devil")
* [Matthew 7:16-20](/matthew/7-16-20 "Matthew 7:16-20 - You Will Know Them by Their Fruits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 8:38 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine the source of our own words, actions, and character. Jesus's life was a perfect reflection of His Father's will and nature because He lived in constant, intimate communion with Him, "seeing" and embodying divine truth. The tragic contrast with the Jewish leaders reveals that our spiritual parentage—the ultimate source of our beliefs and motivations—will inevitably manifest in our outward lives. This prompts us to ask: From whom do we derive our understanding of truth, our values, and our motivations? Are our lives characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting the character of God, or do they bear the hallmarks of worldly or ungodly influences? True discipleship involves not merely intellectual assent to Christ's teachings but a deep, transformative relationship with God the Father through Him, enabling us to "see" and then "speak" and "do" what aligns with His divine will. It is a call to intentional spiritual alignment, ensuring that our lives genuinely reflect our identity as children of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Jesus mean by "seeing with" His Father, and how does this concept apply to our relationship with God today?**
* **In what ways do my words and actions reveal my true spiritual "father" or the primary influences in my life?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper "seeing with" God the Father, so that my life more fully reflects His character and truth?**
* **What "fruits" in my life indicate whether I am truly a child of God, or if there are other influences at play?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus saying "I speak that which I have seen with my Father"?**

Answer: This statement underscores Jesus's unique divine authority and intimate relationship with God the Father. It signifies that His words are not His own human opinions or interpretations, but direct revelations of divine truth, derived from His pre-existent, experiential communion with God. He is the perfect embodiment and communicator of the Father's will and nature, having "seen" and understood the Father's heart and plan in a way no human ever could. This establishes the absolute veracity and authority of His teachings.

**Who is the "your father" Jesus refers to for the Jewish leaders?**

Answer: Initially, the Jewish leaders understood "your father" to refer to Abraham, as they frequently claimed their lineage from him ([John 8:33](/john/8-33 "John 8:33 - We Are Abraham's Descendants")). However, Jesus immediately challenges this, stating that if they were truly Abraham's children, they would do the works of Abraham ([John 8:39](/john/8-39 "John 8:39 - If You Were Abraham's Children")). Their desire to kill Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrates that their true spiritual father is not God or Abraham, but one who is a "murderer from the beginning" and "the father of lies" ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Your Father")). Thus, Jesus progressively reveals "your father" to be the devil, the ultimate source of their hostility, deception, and spiritual blindness.

**What does "seen with" imply beyond mere observation?**

Answer: The phrase "seen with" (Greek: _horáō pará_) implies a profound, intimate, and shared experience that goes beyond simple visual perception. For Jesus, it means a deep, personal communion and direct understanding of the Father's nature, will, and divine realities. It suggests an experiential knowledge gained from being in the Father's presence. For the Jewish leaders, "seen with your father" similarly implies an experiential learning and adoption of their spiritual father's ways, resulting in their actions and attitudes. It highlights how one's deepest allegiances and influences shape one's entire being and behavior.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:38 is a profound declaration of Christ's unique identity and mission, revealing Him as the perfect Son who perfectly reflects the Father. Jesus's claim to speak what He has "seen with my Father" is a foundational truth of the Incarnation. He is the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the only one who has "seen the Father" and can make Him known ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). His entire life, teachings, and redemptive work are a direct outflow of His intimate, eternal communion with God. He consistently states that He does nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father doing ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Does What He Sees the Father Do")) and that His words are not His own but the Father's who sent Him ([John 14:24](/john/14-24 "John 14:24 - The Word You Hear Is Not Mine")). The contrast with the Jewish leaders, whose actions betray their true spiritual father, underscores the necessity of Christ as the mediator. Only through faith in Him can humanity be adopted into God's family, receiving the Spirit of adoption that cries "Abba, Father!" ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")). Jesus, by revealing the Father and providing the way to Him through His atoning sacrifice, fulfills the ultimate purpose of restoring humanity to a true, filial relationship with God, enabling believers to also "see" and live in accordance with the Father's will through the indwelling Spirit.

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 5:19

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

John 8:44

Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 5:30

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 12:49

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

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 8:41

Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, [even] God.

John 3:32

And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.