John 8:46

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:46, Jesus confronts His Jewish opponents with two piercing rhetorical questions, challenging them to prove Him guilty of any sin and then demanding why, if He speaks the truth, they refuse to believe Him. This verse serves as a profound assertion of Christ's unparalleled moral purity and divine authority, simultaneously exposing the willful spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of those who reject His claims despite the undeniable evidence of His blameless life and truthful words.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within one of the most intense and prolonged debates between Jesus and the Jewish leadership, specifically in [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus Debates the Jews"). The discourse begins with Jesus declaring Himself the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World"), leading to a discussion about His divine origin and the nature of true freedom. Jesus asserts that those who commit sin are [slaves to sin](/john/8-34 "John 8:34 - Slavery to Sin"), contrasting this with the freedom found in knowing the truth through the Son. The Jewish leaders, claiming Abraham as their father, are challenged by Jesus, who reveals their true spiritual lineage as being [from their father the devil](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil as Their Father") because they desire to do his will, which includes murder and falsehood. The tension escalates as they accuse Him of being a Samaritan and having a demon ([John 8:48](/john/8-48 "John 8:48 - Accusation of Demonic Possession")). It is against this backdrop of escalating hostility, accusations, and Jesus's profound claims about Himself and the nature of truth that He issues this direct, unanswerable challenge regarding His sinlessness and their unbelief.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this heated exchange is likely the Temple courts in Jerusalem, specifically near the treasury, as indicated in [John 8:20](/john/8-20 "John 8:20 - Jesus Teaching in the Temple Treasury"). This public forum allowed for open debate, a common practice among rabbis and teachers of the law. The Jewish leaders, primarily Pharisees and scribes, held significant religious and social authority. They were meticulous about adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, often seeking to find fault with Jesus's teachings and actions. In their culture, a prophet or teacher's moral integrity was paramount; any perceived sin or inconsistency would immediately discredit their message. Jesus's challenge "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" is therefore a direct appeal to their legalistic and moral framework, daring them to produce any legitimate charge against His character or conduct, knowing full well they could not. Their inability to answer this challenge would, in a just court, validate His claims and expose their accusations as baseless.
* **Key Themes:** [John 8:46](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - Jesus' Unchallenged Purity") powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus's Sinlessness and Divine Purity**. This verse is a unique and audacious claim, for no other human could truthfully make such a challenge and have it stand unchallenged. It underscores His unique identity as the [spotless Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly qualified to bear the sins of the world. Another crucial theme is the **Nature of Truth and Unbelief**. Jesus explicitly links His truthfulness to His sinlessness, asserting that if He is without sin, then His words must be true. Their unbelief, therefore, is not a rational response to a flawed messenger or message, but a willful rejection of divine truth, revealing their **Spiritual Blindness and Hardness of Heart**. Despite the overwhelming evidence of Jesus's blameless life and miraculous works, the religious leaders remain impervious to His claims, demonstrating a profound inability to discern spiritual realities, a theme echoed in Jesus's lament over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **convinceth (Greek, _elénchō'_):** From G1651, this word means "to confute, admonish, convict, rebuke, reprove." It implies more than simply accusing or finding a fault; it denotes 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, but challenging them to definitively and demonstrably prove Him guilty of any moral failing or transgression against God's law. The silence of His accusers testifies to His inherent purity.
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, this term refers to "a sin (properly abstract), offence, sinful." It encompasses any deviation from God's perfect standard, whether in thought, word, or deed. By challenging His opponents to convict Him of "sin," Jesus claims absolute moral perfection and adherence to the divine will, a claim unique among all humanity.
* **truth (Greek, _alḗtheia'_):** From G225, meaning "truth, true, verity." This term refers to reality, authenticity, and divine revelation. Jesus's assertion "if I say the truth" links His moral character directly to the veracity of His words. His sinlessness provides the foundation for the absolute reliability and divine origin of everything He teaches and claims about Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which of you convinceth me of sin?":** This is a direct, confrontational rhetorical question. Jesus, knowing His own absolute purity, challenges His most hostile critics to produce any evidence of moral failing, spiritual transgression, or ethical compromise in His life. The challenge is profound because His accusers were actively seeking reasons to condemn Him, yet they could not genuinely convict Him of sin. This question serves as a powerful testament to His blameless character and unique identity.
* **"And if I say the truth":** This clause establishes a logical premise. Jesus posits that His sinlessness is inextricably linked to the truthfulness of His words. If no one can convict Him of sin, then it logically follows that His claims and teachings are true. This creates an undeniable dilemma for His opponents: if His life is perfect, His words must be perfect, and therefore, true.
* **"why do ye not believe me?":** This is the indictment. Given the premise of His sinlessness and truthfulness, Jesus exposes the irrationality and spiritual perversity of their unbelief. Their rejection of Him is not based on a lack of evidence or a flaw in His character or message, but on a willful, prejudiced refusal to accept the truth. This question highlights their spiritual blindness and the hardening of their hearts against God's revelation.

#### Literary Devices
[John 8:46](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - Jesus' Challenge to Unbelief") is structured as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer from His opponents (as they had none), but to make a profound statement about Jesus's character and their spiritual condition. It employs **Juxtaposition** and **Contrast** by placing Jesus's absolute sinlessness directly against His opponents' profound unbelief. This highlights the stark difference between His divine truth and their human rejection. Furthermore, Jesus utilizes an **Argument from Character**, where His unblemished life serves as irrefutable proof of the veracity of His claims. The absence of any valid accusation against His moral integrity strengthens the force of His assertion that He speaks the truth, thereby condemning their willful rejection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus's unchallenged claim of sinlessness in [John 8:46](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - The Sinless One") is a cornerstone of Christian theology. It underscores His unique identity as the Son of God, distinct from all humanity, who are inherently sinful. This moral perfection is not merely an admirable quality but a necessary prerequisite for His redemptive work. As the only human being without sin, Jesus alone was qualified to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, serving as both the sin-bearer and the righteous advocate. His sinlessness means His sacrifice was not for His own transgressions but entirely for ours, making Him the perfect High Priest who can truly sympathize with our weaknesses yet remained without sin.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")
* [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ Committed No Sin")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 8:46](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - A Call to Belief") invites us to contemplate the unparalleled nature of Jesus Christ. He stands alone in human history as the only individual who could make such a bold claim of absolute sinlessness and have it withstand the scrutiny of His fiercest adversaries. This verse compels us to consider the foundation of our faith: if Jesus is truly without sin, then His words are undeniably true, and His claims about Himself as the Son of God, the way, the truth, and the life, are absolutely reliable. For believers, it deepens our trust in Christ's authority and integrity, encouraging us to align our lives more fully with His perfect example and His divine teachings. For those who doubt, it presents a compelling challenge to examine the evidence of Jesus's life and character, which consistently points to His unique divine origin and the truthfulness of His message. Ultimately, this verse serves as a mirror, implicitly challenging us to consider our own response to divine truth: do we, like the Pharisees, reject it due to our own biases and hardened hearts, or do we humbly receive it and allow it to transform us?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's unchallenged claim of sinlessness strengthen your faith in Him as the Son of God and the perfect Savior?**
* **In what ways might our own biases, preconceived notions, or self-righteousness prevent us from fully accepting divine truth?**
* **How does the connection between truth and belief in this verse challenge us to live with integrity and to trust in Christ's words implicitly?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jesus's sinlessness so important for Christian theology?**

Answer: Jesus's sinlessness is absolutely foundational to Christian theology because it is what qualifies Him to be the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of humanity. According to the Old Testament sacrificial system, only a blameless offering could atone for sin. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus had to be without blemish (sin) Himself to bear the sins of others. If Jesus had sinned, He would have needed a savior Himself and His sacrifice would have been insufficient. His moral perfection also validates His claims to be God and the embodiment of truth, as [God cannot lie](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God Who Cannot Lie") and is inherently righteous. Therefore, His sinlessness is essential for His role as our [High Priest](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sinless High Priest"), our [Redeemer](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"), and the [righteous judge](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Will Judge the World by a Righteous Man").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 8:46](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - Christ's Perfect Righteousness") profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus's audacious and unchallenged claim of sinlessness is not merely an assertion of moral superiority; it is a declaration of His divine nature and His unique qualification to be the world's Savior. His blameless life, which His fiercest enemies could not refute, demonstrates that He is the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God, whose sacrifice alone can atone for sin. This truth is foundational to the New Testament's understanding of salvation, where [God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). His sinless life also establishes Him as our empathetic and [perfect High Priest](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Who Was Tempted But Without Sin"), capable of interceding for us because He experienced temptation yet remained without sin. Furthermore, His declaration, "if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?" underscores that He is the very embodiment of truth, the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), whose teachings are infallible and whose promises are sure. Those who believe in Him are not merely assenting to a doctrine but are entrusting their eternal souls to the One who is perfectly righteous, perfectly truthful, and perfectly able to deliver them from the power of sin and death, offering them the true freedom He spoke of earlier in [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free").

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

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;