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.

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}.

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!

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.

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

Context

This verse is part of a tense and escalating debate between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus has been challenging their assumptions about freedom, true spiritual lineage, and His own divine origin. The preceding verses (John 8:31-39) involve Jesus asserting that true freedom comes through abiding in His word and that those who seek to kill Him are not truly children of Abraham, despite their physical descent. In John 8:40, Jesus directly accuses them of murderous intent, contrasting their actions with the faithful example of Abraham.

Key Themes

  • The Unwelcome Truth: Jesus plainly states that He has "told you the truth," which He "heard of God." This highlights His unwavering commitment to speaking God's divine revelation, even when it provokes intense opposition. Their desire to kill Him is a direct rejection of this truth, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and hostility towards God Himself.
  • Divine Authority and Origin: Jesus consistently emphasizes that His message is not His own, but comes directly from the Father. The phrase "which I have heard of God" underscores His unique relationship with God and the ultimate source of His teachings, reinforcing His divine authority and mission.
  • Contrasting Legacies: The powerful concluding statement, "this did not Abraham," serves as a stark contrast. Abraham, revered as the patriarch of their nation, was a man of faith who welcomed God's messengers and believed His promises. By seeking to murder Jesus, the Jewish leaders prove they are not acting in the spirit of Abraham, setting the stage for Jesus' more explicit declaration about their true spiritual father in John 8:44.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "truth" here is alētheia (ἀλήθεια), which signifies not merely factual accuracy but also reality, sincerity, and divine revelation. Jesus is not just presenting facts; He is embodying and conveying ultimate reality from God. His words are not guesses or opinions but the very essence of divine truth, which He later proclaims Himself to be (John 14:6).

Practical Application

This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: How do we respond when confronted with divine truth, especially when it exposes uncomfortable realities about ourselves, our traditions, or our desires? Do we, like the Jewish leaders, react with hostility or rejection when God's word contradicts our preconceived notions or challenges our comfort? True spiritual lineage is not determined by ancestry or religious affiliation alone, but by our actions and our willingness to embrace and obey God's truth. Our response to Jesus and His words reveals whose children we truly are.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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