John 8:38

38 What I'm saying is what I have seen in my Father's presence. But you do what you've heard from your father."

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 So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.
37 I know that you're Abraham's descendants. However, you want to kill me because you don't like what I'm saying.
38 What I'm saying is what I have seen in my Father's presence. But you do what you've heard from your father."
39 The Jews replied to Jesus, "Abraham is our father." Jesus told them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did.
40 I am a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. But now you want to kill me. Abraham wouldn't have done that.
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