John 8:50

KJV

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} I {G1473} seek {G2212} not {G3756} mine own {G3450} glory {G1391}: there is {G2076} one that seeketh {G2212} and {G2532} judgeth {G2919}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am not seeking praise for myself. There is One who is seeking it, and he is the judge.

Berean Standard Bible

I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge.

American Standard Version

But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 8:50, Jesus articulates His selfless mission, asserting that His actions are not driven by a desire for personal acclaim but by an unwavering commitment to the Father's will. He contrasts His pure motives with the self-seeking accusations of His adversaries, confidently entrusting His vindication and the ultimate judgment of all matters to God the Father, who actively seeks His Son's honor and truth. This declaration underscores Jesus' profound humility and His absolute reliance on divine justice amidst human opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a protracted and increasingly hostile debate between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders, primarily the Pharisees, in [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus' Teachings and Confrontations"). The discussion, which began with the woman caught in adultery in [John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - The Woman Caught in Adultery"), quickly pivots to Jesus' identity, origin, and authority. The leaders repeatedly challenge His claims, accusing Him of bearing false witness ([John 8:13](/john/8-13 "John 8:13 - Jesus' Testimony")), being from below ([John 8:23](/john/8-23 "John 8:23 - Jesus' Origin")), and being demon-possessed ([John 8:48](/john/8-48 "John 8:48 - Accusations Against Jesus")). In the verses immediately preceding [John 8:50](/john/8-50 "John 8:50 - Jesus' Pure Motives and Divine Vindication"), Jesus has just declared His pre-existence and unique relationship with Abraham, stating, "Before Abraham was, I am" ([John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Jesus' Pre-existence")). This climactic statement provokes the leaders to pick up stones to stone Him, viewing His claim as blasphemy. [John 8:50](/john/8-50 "John 8:50 - Jesus' Pure Motives and Divine Vindication") serves as Jesus' calm, resolute response to their insults and threats, emphasizing His divine motives and ultimate trust in the Father's judgment, rather than engaging in a self-defense of His honor.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem, likely during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when large crowds gathered and religious discussions were common. The Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, held significant religious and social authority. Their challenge to Jesus was not merely theological but also a power struggle, as His teachings and miracles threatened their established order and interpretations of the Law. The concept of "glory" (Hebrew: *kavod*, Greek: *doxa*) was central to Jewish thought, often associated with God's manifest presence and honor. For a prophet or teacher to claim glory for themselves was considered blasphemous or self-aggrandizing. Conversely, seeking God's glory was paramount. Jesus' statement, "I seek not mine own glory," directly addresses this cultural value, positioning Himself not as a self-promoting individual but as one solely devoted to the Father's honor. The idea of "judgment" was also deeply ingrained, with the expectation of a future divine judgment and the role of the Sanhedrin in earthly legal matters. Jesus' assertion that "there is one that seeketh and judgeth" points to a higher, divine court that transcends human tribunals.
* **Key Themes:** [John 8:50](/john/8-50 "John 8:50 - Jesus' Pure Motives and Divine Vindication") contributes significantly to several key themes in John's Gospel. Foremost is the **Divine Humility and Selflessness of Christ**, which is a recurring motif. Jesus consistently deflects personal praise and directs all glory to the Father, as seen in His declaration in [John 7:18](/john/7-18 "John 7:18 - Jesus Seeks the Father's Glory") that "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true." This contrasts sharply with the self-serving motives of His accusers. Another prominent theme is **Divine Vindication and Justice**. Jesus' complete trust in the Father's judgment highlights God's active role in upholding truth and righteousness, even when His Son faces false accusations and rejection. This theme is further developed in passages like [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Commits All Judgment to the Son"), where the Father commits all judgment to the Son, yet here, the emphasis is on the Father's direct action in vindicating Jesus. Finally, the verse underscores the **Contrast of Motives** between Jesus and His adversaries: Jesus seeks the Father's glory, while the Jewish leaders are driven by a desire to preserve their own authority and reputation, often at the expense of truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō'_):** From G2212, this word means to seek (literally or figuratively), to inquire, or to pursue. In this context, when Jesus says "I seek not mine own glory," it denotes a deliberate absence of pursuit or striving for personal honor. When applied to the Father, "there is one that seeketh," it implies an active, intentional pursuit or investigation of Jesus' honor and truth, indicating God's diligent care for His Son's reputation.
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** From G1391, this term refers to honor, renown, splendor, or dignity. It encompasses both the inherent splendor of a divine being and the praise or recognition given by others. Jesus' declaration that He does not seek His "own glory" signifies His complete disinterest in self-exaltation or human applause, emphasizing that His mission is solely for the Father's honor.
* **judgeth (Greek, _krínō'_):** From G2919, this word means to distinguish, decide (mentally or judicially), try, condemn, or punish. When Jesus states that there is "one that judgeth," He refers to the Father's ultimate authority to discern truth from falsehood, to evaluate motives, and to execute righteous judgment, not only in vindicating Jesus but also in holding His accusers accountable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I seek not mine own glory:"** This clause serves as Jesus' direct rebuttal to the accusations of self-exaltation and demon-possession. It reveals His profound humility and selfless motivation. Unlike the religious leaders who often sought praise from men, Jesus' entire ministry was oriented towards fulfilling the Father's will and bringing glory to God, not to Himself. This statement underscores the purity of His intentions and His complete lack of personal ambition or desire for human applause.
* **"there is one that seeketh and judgeth."** This second clause shifts the focus from Jesus' own motives to the active role of God the Father. Jesus confidently declares that He does not need to defend His honor or seek vindication, because the Father is actively engaged in this process. The Father "seeketh" Jesus' glory, meaning He is concerned with upholding His Son's truth and honor. Furthermore, the Father "judgeth," signifying His ultimate authority to discern truth from falsehood, to evaluate the hearts and motives of men, and to render righteous judgment. This provides immense comfort and assurance to Jesus, knowing that divine justice will prevail.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is central, juxtaposing Jesus' selfless pursuit of the Father's will with the self-serving and accusatory motives of His Jewish interlocutors. This highlights the fundamental difference in their spiritual orientation. **Understatement** is also subtly present in Jesus' calm declaration amidst intense hostility; rather than a forceful defense, He simply states a profound truth about His motives and the Father's role. The phrase "there is one" functions as a form of **ellipsis** or **implied reference**, as the "one" is clearly understood to be God the Father, a frequent theme in John's Gospel where the Father and Son are in perfect unity and purpose. Finally, the use of **parallelism** in "seeketh and judgeth" emphasizes the dual, yet unified, actions of the Father in both upholding Jesus' honor and executing righteous judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 8:50](/john/8-50 "John 8:50 - Jesus' Pure Motives and Divine Vindication") profoundly illustrates the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, emphasizing Jesus' complete reliance on God for vindication and honor. This verse reinforces the consistent Johannine theme that Jesus does nothing of His own accord but always acts in perfect obedience to the Father's will and for the Father's glory. It also speaks to the nature of divine justice, assuring believers that God is the ultimate arbiter of truth and righteousness, even when His servants face unjust accusations. This trust in God's ultimate judgment frees Jesus from the need to defend Himself or seek human approval, modeling a profound spiritual posture for all who follow Him.

* [John 5:41](/john/5-41 "John 5:41 - Jesus Does Not Receive Glory from Men")
* [John 7:18](/john/7-18 "John 7:18 - Jesus Seeks the Father's Glory")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ Entrusted Himself to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 8:50](/john/8-50 "John 8:50 - Jesus' Pure Motives and Divine Vindication") offers a powerful paradigm for Christian living, particularly in an age preoccupied with self-promotion and personal branding. Jesus' unwavering focus on the Father's glory, even when facing intense opposition and false accusations, challenges us to examine our own motives. Are we seeking our own glory, or are our actions truly aimed at honoring God and serving others? When we are misunderstood, slandered, or unjustly treated for our faith, this verse calls us to release the need for self-vindication and instead trust in God's perfect justice. It reminds us that God is actively involved in upholding truth and righteousness, and He will ultimately judge all things. Our primary calling is to align our lives with His will, knowing that true honor and lasting significance come only from Him, not from human praise or worldly pursuits. This divine perspective liberates us from the exhausting pursuit of human approval and empowers us to live with integrity and peace, confident in God's ultimate vindication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly seeking my own glory rather than God's?**
* **How does Jesus' example of trusting the Father for vindication challenge my natural inclination to defend myself when falsely accused?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more selfless and God-centered motivation in my daily actions and interactions?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "I seek not mine own glory"?**

Answer: When Jesus says, "I seek not mine own glory," He is declaring that His mission, words, and actions are not driven by any personal ambition, desire for fame, or human applause. Unlike the religious leaders who often sought honor from men ([John 5:44](/john/5-44 "John 5:44 - Glory from Men")), Jesus' entire life was devoted to fulfilling the will of God the Father and bringing Him glory. This statement underscores His profound humility and purity of motive, contrasting sharply with the self-serving accusations leveled against Him by His adversaries. He is not interested in building His own reputation but in revealing the Father's truth and character.

**Who is the "one that seeketh and judgeth" that Jesus refers to?**

Answer: The "one that seeketh and judgeth" is God the Father. Jesus consistently points to the Father as the ultimate source of authority, truth, and judgment throughout [John's Gospel](/john "The Gospel According to John"). By stating that the Father "seeketh," Jesus implies that God actively concerns Himself with His Son's honor and truth, diligently protecting and upholding His reputation. And by stating that the Father "judgeth," Jesus affirms God's ultimate authority to discern right from wrong, to evaluate the motives of all people, and to execute righteous judgment, both in vindicating Jesus and in holding His accusers accountable for their rejection of the truth. This demonstrates Jesus' complete trust in the Father's perfect justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 8:50](/john/8-50 "John 8:50 - Jesus' Pure Motives and Divine Vindication") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the principle of not seeking His own glory. His entire earthly ministry, from His humble birth to His agonizing death, was marked by self-emptying love and unwavering obedience to the Father's will ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). He did not defend Himself against false accusations before Pilate ([Matthew 27:11-14](/matthew/27-11-14 "Matthew 27:11-14 - Jesus Before Pilate")), nor did He call down legions of angels to save Himself from the cross ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus Refuses to Call Angels")), precisely because He trusted that the Father was the one who would "seek" His glory and "judge." This divine vindication came powerfully in His resurrection from the dead, where God the Father publicly declared Jesus to be His Son and the righteous King ([Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Jesus Declared Son of God")). Moreover, the Father has now committed all judgment to the Son ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Commits All Judgment to the Son")), meaning that the "one that judgeth" ultimately judges through Christ, who will return to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Will Judge the World Through Christ")). Thus, Jesus' statement is not merely a personal declaration but a prophetic anticipation of His ultimate vindication and the establishment of His righteous rule.

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 5:41

I receive not honour from men.

John 8:54

Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

John 7:18

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

John 5:20

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

John 5:23

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 12:47

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

John 12:48

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.