John 8:38

38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. You do what you have 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 of Man sets you free, you will really be free.
37 "I know you are Abraham's children. But you are ready to kill me. You have no room for my word.
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. You do what you have heard from your father. "
39 "Abraham is our father," they answered. Jesus said, "Are you really Abraham's children? If you are, you will do the things Abraham did.
40 But you have decided to kill me. I am a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham didn't do the things you want to do.
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