John 8:38

38 I speak [the things] that I have seen with the Father; so also you do [the things] that you have heard from the 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 truly free.
37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are seeking to kill me, because my word makes no progress among you.
38 I speak [the things] that I have seen with the Father; so also you do [the things] that you have heard from the Father."
39 They answered and said to him, "Abraham is our father!" Jesus said to them, "If you are children of Abraham, do the deeds of Abraham!
40 But now you are seeking to kill me, a man who spoke to you the truth which I heard from God. This Abraham did not do.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.