John 8:46

Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Which {G5101} of {G1537} you {G5216} convinceth {G1651} me {G3165} of {G4012} sin {G266}? And {G1161} if {G1487} I say {G3004} the truth {G225}, why {G1302} do {G4100} ye {G5210} not {G3756} believe {G4100} me {G3427}?

Which one of you can show me where I’m wrong? If I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?

Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?

Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?

Commentary

Context

John 8:46 is a pivotal moment in a heated discourse between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees, in the Temple courts. This challenge from Jesus comes after He has declared Himself the "light of the world" and discussed the nature of true freedom, contrasting it with spiritual bondage to sin. His opponents have questioned His origin, His claims, and even accused Him of being demon-possessed (John 8:48). In this verse, Jesus turns the tables, presenting a direct challenge that highlights His impeccable character and exposes the spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of His accusers.

Key Themes

  • Jesus's Sinlessness and Moral Perfection: This verse is a profound assertion of Christ's absolute purity. He challenges His fiercest critics to find any fault in Him, knowing none exists. This claim underscores His unique identity as the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29) and the perfect sacrifice.
  • The Nature of Truth and Unbelief: Jesus directly links His sinlessness to His truthfulness. If He speaks the truth, and He is without sin, then there is no valid reason for them not to believe Him. Their unbelief, therefore, is not due to a lack of evidence or a flaw in His character, but a willful rejection of truth.
  • Spiritual Blindness and Hardness of Heart: The inability of the Jewish leaders to "convince" Jesus of sin, coupled with their rejection of His truth, reveals their profound spiritual blindness. They are so entrenched in their own traditions and prejudices that they cannot recognize divine truth standing directly before them.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" is the Greek verb elegchō (ἔλεγχω). This word means much more than simply "to accuse." It implies a thorough exposure, a powerful refutation, or a demonstration of guilt that leaves no room for doubt. Jesus is not merely asking if anyone can point out a mistake; He is challenging them to definitively prove Him guilty of any moral failing or transgression against God's law. The fact that they remain silent is powerful testimony to His inherent purity.

Practical Application

John 8:46 invites us to consider the unique nature of Jesus Christ. He is the only figure in history who could make such a bold claim of sinlessness and have it stand unchallenged by His enemies. This verse reinforces the foundation of our faith: that Jesus is not merely a good teacher or a prophet, but the Son of God, perfectly righteous and therefore perfectly qualified to be our Savior. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder of Christ's authority and integrity, encouraging us to trust fully in His words and His character. For those who doubt, it presents a compelling challenge to examine the evidence for Jesus's claims and His life, which consistently points to His divine origin and truthfulness. This verse also implicitly challenges us to consider our own response to truth: do we, like the Pharisees, reject it due to our own biases, or do we humbly receive it?

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

  • John 8:7

    So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

  • John 14:30

    Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

  • Mark 11:31

    And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

  • Matthew 21:25

    The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

  • John 18:37

    Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

  • Hebrews 7:26

    For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
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