John 8:47

KJV

He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that is {G5607} of {G1537} God {G2316} heareth {G191} God's {G2316} words {G4487}: ye {G5210} therefore {G5124}{G1223} hear {G191} them not {G3756}, because {G3754} ye are {G2075} not {G3756} of {G1537} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whoever belongs to God listens to what God says; the reason you don’t listen is that you don’t belong to God.”

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

American Standard Version

He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 8:47 encapsulates a profound spiritual truth declared by Jesus during a heated confrontation with the Jewish leaders, asserting that one's spiritual origin dictates their receptivity to divine truth. It starkly divides humanity into two camps: those who belong to God and therefore inherently recognize and obey His words, and those who, lacking this divine connection, remain deaf to His message. This verse serves as a diagnostic statement, revealing the spiritual condition of Jesus's adversaries and underscoring the fundamental nature of spiritual kinship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to a prolonged and intense debate between Jesus and the unbelieving Jewish leaders, primarily Pharisees, throughout [John chapter 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus Debates with the Jews"). The chapter begins with the account of the woman caught in adultery, which sets a tone of judgment and divine authority. Jesus then declares Himself the "light of the world," leading to a series of escalating arguments about His identity, His Father, and the true lineage of Abraham. Just prior to this verse, Jesus makes the shocking and direct accusation in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - Jesus Accuses His Opponents' Father") that His opponents are "of your father the devil," because they desire to carry out his desires and are inherently resistant to truth, as the devil is a liar and murderer from the beginning. Verse 47, therefore, acts as a summary judgment, explaining *why* they cannot receive His words—it is a consequence of their spiritual parentage and allegiance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, likely during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of heightened religious fervor and pilgrimage. The Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees, held significant religious and social authority. They prided themselves on their Abrahamic lineage and their adherence to the Mosaic Law, believing these conferred upon them a privileged status with God. Jesus's claims to divinity and His radical reinterpretations of the Law directly challenged their authority and established traditions. The concept of "hearing" was deeply significant in Jewish thought, often implying obedience and covenant faithfulness (e.g., "Shema Israel," [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema")). Their inability to "hear" Jesus's words was not a mere intellectual disagreement but a profound spiritual and existential rejection, interpreted by Jesus as a sign of their fundamental alienation from God, despite their outward religious piety.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme illuminated by [John 8:47](/john/8-47 "John 8:47 - Hearing God's Words") is **Spiritual Kinship and Origin**. Jesus consistently emphasizes that true identity is not based on physical descent (as the Jews claimed from Abraham) but on spiritual alignment and parentage. This is highlighted throughout [John chapter 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus' Identity and Opposition"). Closely related is the theme of **Receptivity to Divine Truth**. To "hear God's words" implies not just auditory perception but spiritual understanding, acceptance, and obedience, a concept Jesus often taught, as seen in the parable of the sower in [Matthew 13:1-23](/matthew/13-1-23 "Matthew 13:1-23 - The Parable of the Sower"). Conversely, the verse also underscores **Spiritual Blindness and Unbelief**, portraying the inability to hear as a symptom of a deeper spiritual malady—a resistance to truth rooted in a fundamental lack of connection to God, which Jesus attributes to their spiritual father, the devil, in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - Jesus' Accusation of the Devil as Father").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **of (Greek, _ek'_):** A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote). Here, it signifies a spiritual source, belonging, or nature. To be "of God" means one's spiritual origin, allegiance, or very nature is derived from God, indicating a profound, inherent connection and alignment with His character and will.
* **heareth (Greek, _akoúō'_):** A primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand. In this context, it transcends mere physical hearing. It denotes a spiritual receptivity, an inner capacity to discern, comprehend, accept, and obey divine truth. It implies an active, willing engagement with God's message that leads to transformation.
* **words (Greek, _rhēma'_):** From ῥέω (rheō, "to speak"); an utterance (individually, collectively or specially); by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever. Here, it refers to God's specific spoken revelations, His commands, teachings, and truths. When combined with "heareth," it emphasizes the comprehensive nature of divine communication that is to be received and acted upon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that is of God heareth God's words":** This opening clause establishes a profound spiritual principle: genuine spiritual kinship with God is evidenced by an inherent capacity and willingness to receive and obey His divine revelation. Those whose spiritual origin and nature are truly from God possess an inner disposition that resonates with divine truth, enabling them to understand, accept, and submit to what God speaks. This "hearing" is not merely auditory but involves spiritual discernment and obedience.
* **"ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God":** This second clause directly applies the principle to Jesus's interlocutors, providing the reason for their inability to comprehend and accept His teachings. Their failure to "hear" His words is not due to a lack of clarity in His message, but because their spiritual origin is not from God. This is a direct consequence of their spiritual alienation, which Jesus previously attributed to their being "of your father the devil" in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - Jesus' Accusation of the Devil as Father"). Their spiritual parentage dictates their spiritual deafness, rendering them incapable of receiving divine truth.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Contrast** to highlight the fundamental spiritual divide between believers and unbelievers. The clear opposition between "He that is of God" and "ye... not of God" creates a stark dichotomy. This contrast is further amplified by the opposing actions: "heareth God's words" versus "hear them not." There is also a strong element of **Cause and Effect**, where the spiritual origin ("of God" or "not of God") is presented as the direct cause of one's receptivity or rejection of divine words. The phrase "heareth God's words" functions as a **Metaphor** for spiritual understanding and obedience, extending beyond mere auditory perception to encompass an inner disposition and active response to divine truth. This metaphorical "hearing" reveals the spiritual state of the heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:47 is a foundational statement on the nature of spiritual discernment and the radical divide between those who are truly God's children and those who are not. It underscores that spiritual truth is not merely intellectual information but requires a spiritual capacity to receive and respond. This capacity is granted by God to those who are "of Him," implying a divine work of regeneration or adoption that enables one to recognize the voice of their Father. The inability to hear, conversely, reveals a heart alienated from God, resistant to His truth, and aligned with a different spiritual paternity. This theological truth explains why the Gospel, though universally proclaimed, is not universally received; reception depends on the spiritual condition and origin of the hearer.

* [John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - Jesus' Sheep Hear His Voice")
* [1 John 4:6](/1_john/4-6 "1 John 4:6 - Discerning the Spirit of Truth")
* [Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - Why Parables Were Spoken")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound mirror for self-examination, prompting us to consider our own spiritual receptivity. Do we truly "hear" God's words? This is not merely about attending church or reading the Bible, but about an inner disposition that eagerly seeks, understands, accepts, and obeys divine truth. A genuine hunger for God's word, a willingness to be corrected by it, and a desire to align our lives with its principles are powerful indicators that we are indeed "of God." Conversely, indifference, skepticism, or outright rejection of biblical truth may signal a deeper spiritual issue, a heart not yet fully yielded to or regenerated by God. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and openness to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to open our ears and hearts to the living Word. It reminds us that spiritual understanding is a gift, not merely an intellectual achievement, and it calls us to pray for both ourselves and others to have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me personally to "hear God's words" beyond just intellectual understanding?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be resistant to God's truth, and what might that resistance reveal about my spiritual condition?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater spiritual receptivity and a deeper hunger for God's word in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "of God" in this verse?**

Answer: When Jesus says "of God," He is referring to one's spiritual origin, allegiance, and fundamental nature. It's not about physical lineage or outward religious observance, but about a deep, internal connection and belonging to God. Those who are "of God" are His children, born of His Spirit ([John 3:5-8](/john/3-5-8 "John 3:5-8 - Born of Water and Spirit")), and share His character and desires. This spiritual parentage enables them to recognize and receive divine truth, whereas those not "of God" lack this spiritual capacity and remain spiritually deaf to His voice, as explained in [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - Your Father the Devil").

**Why couldn't the Jewish leaders "hear" Jesus's words, even though they were physically present?**

Answer: Their inability to "hear" Jesus was not a physical impairment but a spiritual one. As Jesus explains, it was "because ye are not of God." They were spiritually alienated from God, and their hearts were hardened against His truth. Their pride, self-righteousness, and adherence to human traditions prevented them from recognizing God's voice in Jesus. They were looking for a different kind of Messiah and a different message, one that affirmed their existing worldview rather than challenging it. This spiritual blindness is a recurring theme, as seen in [John 12:37-41](/john/12-37-41 "John 12:37-41 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Blindness"), where their unbelief fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:47 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the living Word of God and the sole means by which humanity can become "of God." Jesus is the perfect embodiment of God's words, the very [Logos made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), through whom God speaks most clearly and definitively. To "hear God's words" is, therefore, to hear and believe in Jesus. He declares in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life") that He is "the way, the truth, and the life," and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Becoming "of God" is accomplished not through human effort or lineage, but through faith in Christ, by which we are [born again](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again") and given the Spirit of adoption, crying out "[Abba, Father!](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")". Those who truly belong to God are His sheep, who know His voice and follow Him ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). Thus, Jesus is not only the content of God's words but also the conduit through whom we gain the spiritual capacity to hear and become children 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

2 John 1:9

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

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.

John 10:26

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 6:45

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

John 6:46

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

1 John 3:10

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.