John 8:38

38 I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you."

John 8:38 Meaning and Commentary

John 8:38

I speak that which I have seen with my Father
This is an aggravation of the sin of the Jews, in seeking to kill Christ, on account of his doctrine, since it was not his own, but his Father's; was not merely human, but divine; was what he the only begotten Son, that lay in the bosom of his Father, had seen in his heart, in his purposes, and decrees, in his council, and covenant, and so was clear, complete, certain, and to be depended on:

and ye do that which ye have seen with your father;
meaning the devil, whom, though they had not scan with their eyes, nor any of his personal actions; yet acted so much under his influence, and according to his will, as if they had close and intimate consultation with him, and took their plan of operation from him, and had him continually before them, as their example and pattern, to copy after. The Ethiopic version reads, "what ye have heard"; and so it is read in three of Beza's copies, and in three of Stephens's.

John 8:38 In-Context

36 If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.
37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching.
38 I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you."
39 They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." "If you really were Abraham's children," Jesus replied, "you would do the same things that he did.
40 All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this!
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.