John 8:46

46 Who among you convicts me concerning sin? If I am telling the truth, {why} do you not believe me?

John 8:46 Meaning and Commentary

John 8:46

Which of you convinceth me of sin?
&c.] Of any immorality in life, or of any imposture, corruption, or deceit in doctrine. There were many of them that were forward enough to charge him with both scandalous sins, and false doctrines; but none of them all could prove anything against him, so as to convict him according to law: they called him a wine bibber, and a glutton; gave out they knew he was a sinner; charged him with blasphemy and sedition; sought to bring proof of it, but failed in their attempt:

and if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
since as no sin in life, so no corruption in doctrine, could be proved against him, what he said must be truth; and therefore it was a most unreasonable thing in them, and showed invincible obstinacy, not to believe him.

John 8:46 In-Context

44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father! That one was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own [nature], because he is a liar and the father {of lies}.

45 But because I am telling the truth, you do not believe me.

46 Who among you convicts me concerning sin? If I am telling the truth, {why} do you not believe me?

47 The one who is from God listens to the words of God. Because of this you do not listen--because you are not of God."

48 The Jews answered and said to him, "Do we not correctly say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "because of what"