John 8:13

13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.”

John 8:13 Meaning and Commentary

John 8:13

The Pharisees therefore said unto him
On account of his declaring himself the light of the world: these were either the same who went out of the temple, filled with remorse of conscience, and were now returned, and bearing him a grudge, came to take some advantage against him, if they could; or they were others of the same complexion, sent by them, to make their observations on him:

thou bearest record of thyself.
The Ethiopic version renders it, "dost thou thyself?" which does not seem so decent and comely; see ( Proverbs 27:2 ) ; though it does not follow, that what a man says of himself is not truth, as these suggest:

thy record is not true;
for John testified of himself, that he was not the Christ, nor Elias, nor that prophet; but the voice of one crying in the wilderness; and this testimony he bore of himself, at the importunity of the Jews themselves, ( John 1:19-23 ) ; and his testimony was true; so was that which Christ bore of himself; but their sense rather seems to be, that it was not firm and authentic, and would not pass in any court of judicature, since no man can be a witness in his own cause.

John 8:13 In-Context

11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”

12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.”

14 Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.