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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 8:38 I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/43_Jhn_08_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:38 - The Children of the Devil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/8-38.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/8-38.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 38</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/8-37.htm" title="John 8:37">◄</a> John 8:38 <a href="/john/8-39.htm" title="John 8:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/8.htm">New International Version</a> I am telling you what I have seen in the Father&#8217s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.” <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I speak that which I have seen with the Father; therefore you also do what you have heard from your father." <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I speak of the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I tell the things that I have seen at My Father’s side [in His very presence]; so you also do the things that you heard from your father.” <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; so then, you do what you have heard from your father.” <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; therefore, you do what you have heard from your father."&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I am telling you what my Father has shown me, just as you are doing what your father has taught you. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> What I'm saying is what I have seen in my Father's presence. But you do what you've heard from your father." <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you." <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> I declare what I've seen in my Father's presence, and you're doing what you've heard from your father." <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I speak of what I have seen in the presence of My Father, and you do what you have seen from your father.? <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father!" <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have heard from your father." <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The words I speak are those I have learnt in the presence of the Father. Therefore you also should do what you have heard from your father." <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> I speak that which I have seen with My Father, and you, therefore, do that which you have seen with your father.” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I speak that which I have seen with the Father; therefore you also do what you have heard from your father." <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I -- that which I have seen with my Father do speak, and ye, therefore, that which ye have seen with your father -- ye do.' <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I, what I have seen from my Father, speak: and ye, therefore, what ye have seen of your Father, do.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do the things that you have seen with your father. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I speak what I have seen with my Father. And you do what you have seen with your father.” <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I speak what I have seen with my Father; and you do what you have seen with your father. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “I am speaking the thing I have seen with my Father; you are doing the thing that you have seen with your father.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I speak what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Whatsoever I have seen with the Father I speak: you therefore are doing the things which you heard with your father.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> I speak what I have seen with my Father: and ye do therefore what ye have seen with your father. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> what I have learnt from my father, that I tell: and what you have learnt from your father, that you do. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The words I speak are those I have learnt in the presence of the Father. Therefore you also should do what you have heard from your father." <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; and ye, therefore, do the things which ye heard from your father.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>I speak <Fr>that<FR> which I have seen with my Father, and ye do what ye have seen with your father.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2997" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">The Children of the Devil</a> …37I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. 38<a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalō (V-PIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">I speak</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ha (RelPro-ANP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">of what</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: heōraka (V-RIA-1S) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">have seen</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: para (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">in the presence of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patri (N-DMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poieite (V-PIA-2P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ha (RelPro-ANP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">what</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: ēkousate (V-AIA-2P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">you have heard</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: para (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patros (N-GMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father.”</a> 39“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/5-19.htm">John 5:19-20</a> So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does. / The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these. <a href="/john/14-10.htm">John 14:10</a> Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. <a href="/john/3-32.htm">John 3:32</a> He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. <a href="/john/12-49.htm">John 12:49-50</a> I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” <a href="/john/7-16.htm">John 7:16</a> “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/15-15.htm">John 15:15</a> No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. <a href="/john/6-38.htm">John 6:38</a> For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/17-8.htm">John 17:8</a> For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. <a href="/john/5-30.htm">John 5:30</a> I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a> I and the Father are one.” <a href="/john/14-24.htm">John 14:24</a> Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me. <a href="/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a> No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. <a href="/john/3-34.htm">John 3:34</a> For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. <a href="/john/8-26.htm">John 8:26</a> “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.” <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a> However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.speak.<a href="/john/8-26.htm">John 8:26</a> I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.<a href="/john/3-32.htm">John 3:32</a> And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.<a href="/john/5-19.htm">John 5:19,30</a> Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise… and ye.<a href="/john/8-41.htm">John 8:41,44</a> Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God… <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7</a> But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?<a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">1 John 3:8-10</a> He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/6-40.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/john/8-26.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/8-35.htm">House</a> <a href="/luke/7-38.htm">Learnt</a> <a href="/luke/24-43.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/john/8-28.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/8-27.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/john/8-33.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-44.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/john/8-40.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/11-20.htm">House</a> <a href="/acts/22-29.htm">Learnt</a> <a href="/john/12-37.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">John 8</div>1. <a href="/john/8-1.htm">Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.</a> 12. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;</a> 31. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">promises freedom to those who believe;</a> 33. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;</a> 48. <a href="/john/8-48.htm">answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;</a> 59. <a href="/john/8-59.htm">and slips away from those who would stone him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father This phrase emphasizes Jesus' divine authority and intimate relationship with God the Father. In the Gospel of John, Jesus frequently refers to His unique connection with the Father, highlighting His role as the Son of God (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14, 18</a>). The phrase "in the presence of the Father" suggests a direct and personal experience, underscoring the authenticity and truth of His teachings. This aligns with the concept of Jesus as the Logos, the Word made flesh, who reveals the Father to humanity (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1-3</a>). The imagery of seeing and speaking indicates a prophetic role, similar to Old Testament prophets who conveyed God's messages, but with greater authority as Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).and you do what you have heard from your father. Here, Jesus contrasts His divine origin and authority with the spiritual state of His audience. The "you" refers to the Jewish leaders and those opposing Him, who claim Abraham as their father (<a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a>). However, Jesus challenges their claim by pointing out their actions, which do not align with Abraham's faith and obedience. The phrase "your father" is later clarified as referring to the devil (<a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a>), indicating a spiritual lineage based on actions and beliefs rather than mere ancestry. This highlights the theme of spiritual paternity and the importance of aligning one's actions with God's will, as true children of God are those who follow His teachings (<a href="/romans/8-14.htm">Romans 8:14-17</a>). The contrast between Jesus' divine mission and the audience's earthly focus underscores the broader Johannine theme of light versus darkness (<a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders and contrasting His divine origin and authority with their earthly understanding. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a> Refers to God the Father, with whom Jesus has a unique and intimate relationship, having seen and known Him directly. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_leaders.htm">The Jewish Leaders</a> The audience Jesus is addressing, who are often in conflict with Him throughout the Gospel of John. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_concept_of_fatherhood.htm">The Concept of Fatherhood</a> Jesus contrasts His Father, God, with the "father" of the Jewish leaders, implying a spiritual lineage and influence. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a> This conversation takes place in Jerusalem, likely in the temple courts, during one of Jesus' public teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_authority_and_witness.htm">Divine Authority and Witness</a> Jesus speaks with authority because He has seen and knows the Father. As believers, we are called to trust in His divine witness and teachings. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_parentage.htm">Spiritual Parentage</a> Our actions and beliefs reflect our spiritual lineage. We must examine whether our lives align with the teachings of God or the influences of the world. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a> Just as Jesus discerned the true nature of His audience's spiritual father, we must discern the influences in our lives and choose to follow God. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_presence_of_god.htm">Living in the Presence of God</a> Jesus lived in constant awareness of the Father's presence. We are encouraged to cultivate a life that seeks and acknowledges God's presence daily. <a href="/topical/c/contrast_of_truth_and_deception.htm">Contrast of Truth and Deception</a> Jesus contrasts His truth with the deception of the Jewish leaders' "father." We must be vigilant in seeking truth and avoiding deception in our spiritual journey.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 8</a> <a href="/q/can_the_holy_spirit_leave_a_believer.htm">Can the Holy Spirit leave a believer?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_jesus_enter_a_locked_room.htm">How could Jesus physically appear in a locked room, as described in John 20:19, if he had a tangible, resurrected body?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_faithful_believers_suffer_harm.htm">Psalm 4:8: If peace and safety are promised to believers, how do we explain faithful individuals who suffer harm or persecution, seemingly contradicting this assurance?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'devil's_advocate'_mean.htm">Is Jesus the True Light?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) I speak that which I have seen with my Father.--Some of the older MSS. read "the" for "My," but without change of sense. For the thought, comp. <a href="/john/8-28.htm" title="Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.">John 8:28</a>, where we have the same connection between doing and speaking. He is the Word, and His work is to speak what He had seen in His eternal existence with the Father.And ye do that which ye have seen with your father.--For "seen," the better reading is probably heard. Here, as in the previous clause, some MSS. omit the possessive pronoun with "father," but it is rightly inserted to express the meaning. The clauses are in direct opposition to each other, and this is shown by the emphatic personal pronouns--"I, on My part . . . My Father." "You, on your part . . . your father." The tenses of the verbs, too, are to be distinguished--"That which I have seen" (during My whole existence in eternity). "That which ye heard" (when ye became servants of sin). The cases of the substantives are also different--"I have seen with my Father" (signifying existence with. Comp. <a href="/john/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.">John 1:1</a>). "Ye heard from your father" (what he directed).Again, there is a word in the original which it is hard to represent in English, and which our version altogether omits. It is not simply "and ye do," but "and ye therefore, or accordingly, do." It is the same principle of union between Father and Son which directs His work, which is to reveal God, and their work, of which the seeking to kill Him is an instance.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 38. - I speak the things which I have seen with the (my) Father: and do you therefore the things which ye heard from the (your) father; or, and you therefore do the things which ye heard from your father. We need not, with Meyer, limit the Lord's vision of the Divine things which he saw with the Father to his premundane Personality. He describes himself in constant communion with the Father. The Father is with him. He knows the mind and will and good pleasure of the Father. His is the perfectly pure heart, which is as an eye forevermore beholding the Father. That the Only Begotten sees and knows what no other sees, is constantly taught in this Gospel (see <a href="/john/3-32.htm">John 3:32</a>; <a href="/john/6-46.htm">John 6:46</a>). In Christ, moreover, the disciple may verily see the Father (<a href="/john/14-7.htm">John 14:7, 9</a>; <a href="/1_john/2-23.htm">1 John 2:23</a>). The probable textual reading given above would draw a species of contrast between Christ's "seeing" (παρὰ τῷ) with the Father, and the Jews' "hearing" (παρὰ τοῦ) from the Father, as though such communication were less intimate than "seeing." This must not be pressed (see ver. 40). If the ποιεῖτε be imperative, the language would be an appeal to the Jews to act out that which, from prophets and teachers and interpreters of the Divine will, they had heard. Moulton treats the clause as one more, one last, exhortation. The word of Christ had not advanced within them - it remained as a barren formula; let them give it free course now. Their opposition had not as yet been malignant or hopeless; one more chance is given them. The more ordinary interpretation is to make the ποιεῖτε indicative. If it be so, and still more if the ὑμῶν (omitted by B, L, P) be genuine, "the father" to whom reference is made as theirs, is in contrast with the Father of Christ, and, without pointedly saying so, Jesus implies that it is another father altogether. In ver. 44 Christ does indeed declare that the father with whom they are in ethical relation and sympathy is not God, but the devil - the very opposite of the God of Abraham, the very antithesis of the Father of infinite love. At this point he simply suggests, "Therefore the things which ye heard from your father ye do," ye habitually do, ye are now doing in your hatred and murderous sentiments towards myself. Surely this implies a severity which is hardly compatible with an address to Jews who believed him. The interpretation of the following verse is governed by that of this. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I speak λαλῶ (lalō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. of what ἃ (ha) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. have seen ἑώρακα (heōraka) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. in the presence of παρὰ (para) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Father, Πατρὶ (Patri) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. do ποιεῖτε (poieite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. what ἃ (ha) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. you have heard ἠκούσατε (ēkousate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. from παρὰ (para) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. [your] τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. father.” πατρὸς (patros) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-38.htm">John 8:38 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-38.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:38 I say the things which I have (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>