John 8 46

John 8:46 kjv

Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

John 8:46 nkjv

Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?

John 8:46 niv

Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

John 8:46 esv

Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

John 8:46 nlt

Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me?

John 8 verses

John 8 46 Meaning

John 8:46 presents a pivotal challenge by Jesus to His accusers, the Jewish religious leaders. He first directly confronts them, demanding proof of any sin in His life, a unique and radical claim of moral perfection. This is immediately followed by a rhetorical question linking His unchallenged truthfulness to their persistent unbelief. In essence, Jesus asserts His blamelessness as the foundation for His authoritative teaching and reveals that their failure to believe Him stems not from a flaw in His character or message, but from their own spiritual opposition and unwillingness to accept the truth.

John 8 46 Context

John 8:46 is embedded within a profound and escalating confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders (Pharisees and others who had 'believed' but questioned His teachings) at the Temple treasury during the Feast of Tabernacles. The chapter begins with the account of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus demonstrates divine wisdom and grace, but the primary focus quickly shifts to His discourse on His identity as the Light of the World, His divine origin, and His relationship with the Father. He asserts His truthfulness and freedom, which prompts heated debate about their spiritual lineage – claiming Abraham as their father, while Jesus points to their works reflecting the devil. This verse comes at a high point of tension, right after Jesus has explicitly stated, "because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me" (Jn 8:45), and before He states "Before Abraham was, I am" (Jn 8:58), which culminates in their attempt to stone Him. Historically and culturally, the Jewish leaders prided themselves on their moral adherence to the Mosaic Law and their heritage as God's chosen people. For Jesus to claim sinlessness directly challenged their spiritual authority and the very foundation of their self-righteousness, implicitly declaring their own claims to moral perfection as hollow and their judgment flawed.

John 8 46 Word analysis

• Which of you: (Τίς ἐξ ὑμῶν - Tis ex hymōn). This is a direct, confrontational challenge to a group of individuals. It personalizes the accusation, demanding that each one present examine themselves and provide evidence. It places the burden of proof entirely on them.
• convicts (ἐλέγχει - elegchei): This Greek word means more than just 'accuse.' It implies to expose, to convict by proof, to demonstrate guilt, to put to shame, to reprove with evidence, or to thoroughly investigate and bring to light. It is a legal term, indicating that Jesus is not just denying an accusation, but daring them to produce a justified, factual conviction of sin. It demands a successful demonstration of fault, not just a charge.
• Me: (ἐμέ - eme): The emphasis is on Jesus' own person. It highlights the uniqueness of His claim and sets Him apart from all other human beings. The challenge is specifically against His life, actions, and character.
• of sin?: (περὶ ἁμαρτίας - peri hamartias): "Concerning sin" or "regarding sin." Hamartia (ἁμαρτία) means "missing the mark," an error, fault, or offense against God's law or standard. This is the gravest accusation one could bring in their religious context. Jesus invites them to find any deviation from God's perfect standard in Him.
• If I tell the truth,: (εἰ ἀλήθειαν λέγω - ei alētheian legō): This is a conditional statement. However, in the context of Jesus, it functions as a statement of fact and a premise for His subsequent question. It implies that He is indeed telling the truth (which He is, as the embodiment of truth). Aletheian (ἀλήθειαν) means truth, reality, absence of falsehood or deceit, often with moral connotations of integrity and uprightness. Jesus' life and teaching are inextricably linked to ultimate truth.
• why do you not believe Me?: (διὰ τί ὑμεῖς οὐ πιστεύετέ μοι - dia ti hymeis ou pisteuete moi): A rhetorical question that assumes their unbelief is irrational and illogical, given His demonstrated sinlessness and truthfulness. Pisteuete (πιστεύετε) means to believe, to have faith, to trust, to be convinced. Their inability to believe is shown not to be due to any defect in Jesus, but in themselves.

Words-group analysis:

• "Which of you convicts Me of sin?": This phrase is a unique, audacious, and unprecedented claim of moral impeccability from any human being in history. It implicitly asserts Jesus' divine nature, as only God is perfectly sinless. It directly challenges the common human experience and the teaching that "all have sinned" (Rom 3:23). It implies a perfect understanding and fulfillment of God's law.
• "If I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?": This rhetorical coupling establishes a profound link between Jesus' sinless character and the truthfulness of His words. Their inability to find sin should logically lead them to believe His words, especially since He is the Truth. Their unbelief, therefore, reveals not a lack of evidence or truth from Jesus, but a deep-seated spiritual resistance, prejudice, or blindness within themselves. Their rejection of the truth stems from moral unwillingness rather than intellectual inability.

John 8 46 Bonus section

This verse carries significant Christological weight, as it is one of the strongest direct claims Jesus makes regarding His own moral perfection. Unlike any other religious founder or leader, Jesus doesn't offer humble disclaimers about his shortcomings; instead, he openly challenges his enemies to find a single blemish. This challenge not only serves as historical proof of His unique purity but also underpins the core doctrine of His atoning sacrifice: a spotless lamb, untainted by sin, offered for the sins of humanity. His sinlessness establishes His credentials as the only perfect judge, one who perfectly fulfills the Law and sets the ultimate standard of righteousness. It highlights the profound irony that those who claimed to be guardians of God's Law were blind to its perfect embodiment standing before them, convicting them by His very presence.

John 8 46 Commentary

John 8:46 stands as a monumental assertion of Jesus' sinless perfection and a profound commentary on the nature of unbelief. His challenge, "Which of you convicts Me of sin?" is a claim to absolute moral purity, unmatched by any religious leader, prophet, or philosopher throughout history. The complete silence that follows this challenge, despite being issued to His bitterest adversaries who sought every reason to discredit Him, serves as a powerful testament to His flawless character. This moral impeccability is not merely an absence of wrongdoing but the active embodiment of perfect righteousness. This sinlessness is critically important because it validates His claims of being the unique Son of God, the perfect High Priest, and the only unblemished sacrifice capable of atoning for humanity's sins. Furthermore, Jesus inextricably links His sinlessness to His truthfulness. "If I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?" posits that if no one can find sin in Him, then His words—His teachings about Himself and the Father—must be true. Their persistent unbelief, therefore, exposes a fundamental spiritual problem in His listeners: a refusal to embrace truth not because of its falsity, but because of a deeper unwillingness or inability to recognize and submit to it, rooted in spiritual darkness (Jn 3:19) and alignment with falsehood (Jn 8:44). The verse encapsulates the heart of the Johannine conflict: light confronting darkness, truth exposing lies, and perfect holiness rejected by those claiming spiritual authority.