John 8 38

John 8:38 kjv

I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

John 8:38 nkjv

I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father."

John 8:38 niv

I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father."

John 8:38 esv

I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."

John 8:38 nlt

I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father."

John 8 verses

John 8 38 Meaning

Jesus unequivocally declares His teachings are directly from God the Father, whom He has intimately known and witnessed. This statement draws a sharp contrast with His adversaries, asserting their actions and beliefs originate from a different "father," implying a spiritual opposition to God. The verse highlights the foundational difference in source and authority between Jesus and those who reject Him, setting the stage for the dramatic revelation of their true spiritual lineage.

John 8 38 Context

John chapter 8 finds Jesus in Jerusalem, likely in the Temple complex, engaged in intense dialogue with Jewish leaders and some of His "believing" listeners who quickly turn adversarial. The preceding verses (Jn 8:12-29) establish Jesus as the "Light of the World" and repeatedly underscore His divine origin and unique relationship with the Father as the source of His authority and teachings. The immediate context of verse 38 begins after Jesus' promise of "freedom" (Jn 8:31-32) leads to an argument where His opponents claim never to have been enslaved, boasting their Abrahamic heritage (Jn 8:33). Jesus corrects their understanding of true freedom (from sin) and then challenges their lineage, introducing the concept of being "children of" a father other than Abraham or God (Jn 8:34-37). Verse 38 directly precedes the climax where Jesus outright declares Abraham is not their spiritual father (Jn 8:39) and ultimately reveals their true father to be the devil (Jn 8:44), intensifying the polemic against their spiritual blindness and hostility.

John 8 38 Word analysis

• I speak (Ἐγὼ λαλῶ - Egō lalō): "I" is emphatic, highlighting Jesus' personal and singular authority. "Speak" implies teaching and communicating divine truth. It's a statement of His identity as the authoritative messenger.
• that which I have seen (ὃ ἑώρακα - ho heōraka): The Greek perfect tense ("have seen") indicates a completed action with continuing results, emphasizing direct, personal, and continuous visual knowledge. It's not mere observation but intimate, first-hand experience and revelation from the Father. This "seeing" refers to comprehensive understanding and participation in the divine counsel, not just visual perception.
• with my Father (παρὰ τῷ Πατρί μου - para tō Patri mou): The preposition para denotes close proximity, presence with, and origin from. It signifies an intimate relationship, not just physical location, underscoring Jesus' unique divine Sonship and His direct access to God's presence and plans.
• and ye do (καὶ ὑμεῖς ποιεῖτε - kai humeis poieite): The "ye" is also emphatic, creating a stark parallel and contrast with Jesus. "Do" signifies actions, behavior, and character. This points to their ongoing practices and moral alignment.
• that which ye have seen (ἃ ἑωράκατε - ha heōrakate): Again, the perfect tense suggests a completed and continuing knowledge or observation. However, the source of their "seeing" is vastly different. It points to traditions, values, and practices they have adopted and continue to manifest.
• with your father (παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν - para tou patros humōn): The direct parallelism my Father vs. your father is a powerful literary device. This phrase sets up the crucial spiritual distinction. Your is emphatic. The specific identity of "your father" is withheld until verse 44, building tension and dramatically exposing their true spiritual origin, contrasting their human ancestry (Abraham) with their spiritual allegiance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I speak that which I have seen with my Father": This whole clause is a profound claim to divine revelation and ultimate authority. Jesus' words are not his own conjecture but a direct transmission of truth from the Godhead. It defines His ministry as that of a faithful Son communicating the Father's will and wisdom, establishing His credibility and truthfulness.
• "and ye do that which ye have seen with your father": This parallel clause is an equally strong accusation. It charges Jesus' opponents with deriving their actions, and implicitly their beliefs, from an opposing source. It's a statement about their moral and spiritual allegiance, which manifests in their works—namely, their resistance to divine truth and their desire to harm Jesus. The contrast emphasizes spiritual progeny, where actions are symptomatic of the "father" one serves.

John 8 38 Bonus section

The intense dialogue in John 8 reveals a escalating theological polemic where Jesus systematically deconstructs His opponents' self-perception. Their proud reliance on Abrahamic lineage and claims of being children of God are shattered by Jesus' declaration of their true spiritual father. This isn't mere verbal sparring; it is a spiritual battle for identity and truth. Jesus is challenging their very source of moral and religious authority, pointing to an ultimate conflict between God's light and the darkness orchestrated by "their father." The "seeing" referenced here is not limited to physical sight but refers to a deep, inherent spiritual connection and alignment. Jesus "sees" God's nature and speaks from it, while His opponents have "seen" (understood/adopted) the nature and desires of a malevolent entity, leading them to act in ways antithetical to God's love and truth. The profound nature of "seeing" and "speaking/doing" becomes a matter of reflecting the source of one's spiritual being.

John 8 38 Commentary

John 8:38 encapsulates a profound theological truth about Jesus' identity and the nature of spiritual opposition. Jesus asserts an unparalleled claim: His very words proceed from direct, continuous, and intimate experience "with my Father." This is not an ordinary human claim to knowledge but a divine self-disclosure, testifying to His unique Sonship and unity with God. He is not merely speaking about God, but speaking from God, as one who participates in the divine council and counsel. His teaching carries the absolute authority of the Creator Himself.

The contrast is piercing. Just as Jesus' life and teaching reflect His Father, so the actions and intentions of His adversaries reflect their father. The statement is carefully crafted as a chiasmus of parallel ideas, highlighting the radical divergence in parentage and allegiance. While Jesus is motivated by the divine love and truth He experiences with the Father, His opponents are driven by impulses seen from "their father." The explicit naming of this other father as the devil in John 8:44 clarifies the gravity of Jesus' indictment here: their opposition is not just misunderstanding or human disagreement, but a manifestation of satanic influence and anti-God hatred.

This verse therefore serves as a vital diagnostic for spiritual parentage. It teaches that one's words, deeds, and responses to truth reveal whose "child" one truly is. The refusal to receive Jesus' divine testimony and the active pursuit of His demise betray a lineage alienated from the Father, exposing a fundamental difference in spiritual DNA.