John 8:40

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} now {G3568} ye seek {G2212} to kill {G615} me {G3165}, a man {G444} that {G3739} hath told {G2980} you {G5213} the truth {G225}, which {G3739} I have heard {G191} of {G3844} God {G2316}: this {G5124} did {G4160} not {G3756} Abraham {G11}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As it is, you are out to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Avraham did nothing like that!

Berean Standard Bible

But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus directly confronts the Jewish leaders, exposing their murderous intent despite their claims of spiritual lineage. He starkly contrasts their desire to kill Him—a man who speaks the truth heard directly from God—with the righteous character of Abraham, whom they claim as their father, highlighting the profound spiritual chasm between their actions and their purported heritage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The preceding verses, particularly [John 8:31-39](/john/8-31-39 "John 8:31-39 - True Discipleship and Freedom"), establish the core tension: Jesus' assertion that true freedom comes through abiding in His word, and His challenge to their assumption that physical descent from Abraham guarantees spiritual sonship. Jesus has just declared 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 response to this challenge is not repentance or belief, but a hardening of their hearts, culminating in the murderous intent Jesus exposes in this verse, setting the stage for His shocking declaration about their true spiritual father in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - You Are of Your Father the Devil").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish leaders' reverence for Abraham was paramount; he was the revered patriarch, the father of their nation, and the recipient of God's covenant promises ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham")). To be a "child of Abraham" was to possess an esteemed identity within Judaism, often implying a privileged status before God. Jesus' challenge to this lineage, suggesting their actions were antithetical to Abraham's character, was deeply offensive and blasphemous in their eyes. Furthermore, the idea of killing a prophet or messenger of God was a recurring tragic theme in Israel's history ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem")). Their desire to kill Jesus, despite His claims to speak for God, reveals a profound spiritual blindness and a rejection of divine authority, echoing the pattern of their ancestors who rejected God's prophets.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes in John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **clash between divine truth and human rejection**, as Jesus, the embodiment of truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), is met with murderous hostility. It further develops the theme of **true spiritual lineage versus mere physical descent**, demonstrating that outward religious affiliation or ancestry is insufficient for a right relationship with God; rather, it is obedience to God's word and acceptance of His Son that defines true sonship ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God")). Finally, it highlights Jesus' **divine authority and unique relationship with the Father**, as His message is not His own but "heard of God," reinforcing His claims to be God's ultimate revelation, a claim that fuels the leaders' opposition throughout [John's Gospel](/john/1 "The Gospel According to John").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This verb (G2212) means "to seek," but in this context, as the Strong's data indicates, it carries the sinister connotation of "to plot (against life)." It signifies a deliberate, active pursuit of harm, moving beyond mere disagreement to a calculated intention to eliminate Jesus. This reveals the deep-seated malice and spiritual opposition present in the hearts of the Jewish leaders.
* **kill (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** The verb (G615) is direct and unambiguous: "to kill outright; to put to death, slay." Its use here leaves no room for euphemism; Jesus directly accuses them of intending murder. This is not just intellectual or theological opposition, but a desire for His physical demise, underscoring the extreme nature of their spiritual antagonism.
* **truth (Greek, _alḗtheia'_):** This crucial term (G225) denotes more than just factual accuracy. It encompasses reality, sincerity, and divine revelation. When Jesus states He has told them the "truth," He implies that He has revealed ultimate reality, the very nature and will of God. Their desire to kill Him is therefore a rejection not merely of a man, but of God's own revelation and reality, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and hostility towards God Himself.
* **Abraham (Greek, _Abraám'_):** The patriarch (G11) revered by the Jewish people, Abraham represents faith and obedience to God. By invoking his name, Jesus draws a stark contrast between Abraham's welcoming of divine messengers and belief in God's word ([Genesis 18:1-8](/genesis/18-1-8 "Genesis 18:1-8 - Abraham Entertains Angels")) and the leaders' murderous intent towards the Son of God. This highlights their failure to emulate the very figure they claim as their spiritual father.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But now ye seek to kill me,"**: Jesus' statement begins with a strong adversative ("But now"), marking a sharp contrast between their claims of being Abraham's children and their actual intentions. The phrase "seek to kill me" is a direct, unvarnished accusation, revealing the murderous plot brewing in their hearts. It signifies a premeditated, active desire to eliminate Jesus, stemming from their rejection of His words and claims.
* **"a man that hath told you the truth,"**: Jesus identifies Himself as "a man," emphasizing His humanity, yet immediately qualifies it by stating His unique role: He is the one who has conveyed "the truth" to them. This highlights the profound irony and injustice of their intent—they seek to kill the very messenger of divine reality and revelation. His humanity makes their murderous intent all the more heinous.
* **"which I have heard of God:"**: This clause establishes the divine origin and authority of Jesus' message. His truth is not His own invention or opinion, but direct revelation from the Father. This underscores His unique relationship with God and the ultimate source of His teachings, making their rejection of Him a rejection of God Himself.
* **"this did not Abraham."**: This concluding statement delivers a powerful and devastating indictment. By contrasting their actions with Abraham's, Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of their claims to be Abraham's children. Abraham, the paragon of faith and obedience, would never have sought to kill a messenger of God, especially one speaking divine truth. Their murderous intent proves they are not acting in the spirit of their revered ancestor, effectively discrediting their spiritual lineage.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Contrast** as its central literary device, juxtaposing the Jewish leaders' murderous intent with Jesus' role as a truth-teller from God, and their actions with the character of Abraham. This stark opposition highlights the profound spiritual chasm between Jesus and His opponents. **Irony** is also evident, as those who pride themselves on being "children of Abraham" are shown to be acting in a manner completely antithetical to their spiritual father. Their rejection of the truth-speaker, who embodies the very God Abraham worshipped, is deeply ironic. Furthermore, Jesus' direct accusation functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Accusation**, designed not merely to inform but to confront and expose their hidden malice, forcing them to reckon with the true nature of their hearts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:40 serves as a pivotal moment, exposing the profound spiritual conflict between light and darkness, truth and deception. The Jewish leaders' desire to kill Jesus, the one who speaks truth directly from God, reveals a deep-seated resistance to divine revelation and a preference for their own traditions and power structures over God's will. This mirrors a recurring theme throughout biblical history where God's messengers are rejected and persecuted by those claiming religious authority ([Jeremiah 26:20-23](/jeremiah/26-20-23 "Jeremiah 26:20-23 - The Prophet Uriah")), culminating in the ultimate rejection of the Son. The contrast with Abraham underscores that true spiritual lineage is not a matter of physical descent but of faith and obedience, a theme echoed in Paul's epistles where he emphasizes that those who believe are the true children of Abraham ([Romans 4:16](/romans/4-16 "Romans 4:16 - Abraham, the Father of All Believers")). Jesus, as the ultimate revelation of God's truth ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")), stands as the dividing line, revealing the true spiritual state of all who encounter Him.

* [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jerusalem, Jerusalem, You Who Kill the Prophets")
* [Galatians 3:7](/galatians/3-7 "Galatians 3:7 - Those Who Are of Faith Are Sons of Abraham")
* [John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "John 1:10-11 - He Came to His Own")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse presents a profound challenge to all who claim to follow God. It forces us to examine our own hearts and ask: How do we respond when confronted with uncomfortable truths, especially those that expose our flaws, challenge our traditions, or demand a radical shift in our thinking or behavior? The Jewish leaders, blinded by their preconceived notions and desire for control, chose hostility and murder over humble reception of divine truth. Their response serves as a stark warning: true spiritual lineage is not about heritage or outward religious observance, but about a heart that embraces and obeys God's word, particularly as revealed in Jesus Christ. Do we, like Abraham, welcome God's messengers and believe His promises, or do we, like the leaders, resist and reject the truth when it threatens our comfort or challenges our self-perception? Our willingness to submit to the truth of Christ, even when it exposes our sin or demands sacrifice, reveals the true nature of our spiritual parentage and the depth of our commitment to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resistant to God's truth, especially if it challenges my comfort or preconceived notions?**
* **How does my response to Jesus' words demonstrate whose "child" I truly am—one who embraces truth or one who resists it?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more open and receptive heart to God's revelation, even when it is uncomfortable?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Jewish leaders want to kill Jesus if He was speaking truth from God?**

Answer: The Jewish leaders' desire to kill Jesus stemmed from a complex mix of factors, none of which were truly about upholding God's truth. Firstly, Jesus challenged their authority and interpretations of the Law, particularly His claims to be equal with God ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Making Himself Equal with God")) and His perceived disregard for their traditions. Secondly, His popularity among the people threatened their power and influence ([John 11:48](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - The People Will Believe in Him")). Thirdly, and most profoundly, their spiritual blindness prevented them from recognizing God's truth in Jesus. As Jesus later states in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - You Are of Your Father the Devil"), their true spiritual father was the devil, who is a liar and a murderer from the beginning. Their rejection of Jesus was ultimately a rejection of God Himself, driven by pride, envy, and a deep-seated spiritual enmity towards the divine light.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:40, though a stark accusation, profoundly points to the Christ-centered reality of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the "man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God," is the ultimate embodiment of divine revelation ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His willingness to speak this truth, even knowing it would provoke murderous intent, highlights His unwavering obedience to the Father and His mission to reveal God to humanity. The very hostility He faced, leading to their desire "to kill me," foreshadows His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. This rejection and death, though orchestrated by human malice, was paradoxically part of God's sovereign plan to atone for the sins of the world ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - Delivered Up According to the Definite Plan")). Jesus' suffering and death, therefore, are not merely the consequence of human rejection but the means by which the truth He spoke—the truth of God's love and salvation—is fully vindicated and made accessible to all who believe. He is the truth, and His death and resurrection are the ultimate demonstration of that truth, offering life to those who, unlike His accusers, embrace Him as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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 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.

Galatians 4:29

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, even so [it is] now.

Galatians 4:16

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Revelation 12:12

¶ Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Revelation 12:13

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].

1 John 3:12

Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

1 John 3:15

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.