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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 8:43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-43.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/43_Jhn_08_43.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:43 - The Children of the Devil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why do you not understand what I am saying? 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Because you are unable to hear what I say. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to hear My word. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot listen to My word. <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Why don&#8217t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Why can't you understand what I am talking about? Can't you stand to hear what I am saying? <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Why don't you understand the language I use? Is it because you can't understand the words I use? <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message. <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Why don't you understand what I've said? It's because you can't listen to my words. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Why don't you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching. <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Why do you not understand my speech? Because you cannot hear my word. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> why do you not know My speech? Because you are not able to hear My word. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to hear My word. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> wherefore do ye not know my speech? because ye are not able to hear my word. <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Wherefore ye know not my speech, for ye cannot hear my word.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot hear my word. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Why do you not recognize my speech? It is because you are not able to hear my word. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Why do you not understand what I am saying? Because you cannot bear to hear my word. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Why therefore do you not understand my word? Because you cannot obey my word? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And why do you not understand my word? It is because you cannot hear my word.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Why do you not know what I say? Because you can not understand my words. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Wherefore do you not understand my speech? Because you are not able to hear my word.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Wherefore do ye not understand my speech? because ye cannot hear my word. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> why do not you understand my language? unless because ye cannot bear my doctrine? <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Why do ye not understand My speech? it is because ye cannot hear My word.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And<FR> why do ye not understand my language, <Fr>but<FR> because ye cannot bear my doctrine?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-43.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=3047" 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> 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me. 43<a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: Dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">Why</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōskete (V-PIA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">do you not understand</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what</a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: emēn (PPro-AF1S) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2981.htm" title="2981: lalian (N-AFS) -- (in classical Greek: babble, chattering) speech, talk; manner of speech, dialect. From laleo; talk.">am saying?</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">It is because</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynasthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">you are unable</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouein (V-PNA) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">to accept</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: emon (PPro-AM1S) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logon (N-AMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">message.</a> 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.…<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/5-43.htm">John 5:43</a> I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. <a href="/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17</a> If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. <a href="/john/10-26.htm">John 10:26-27</a> But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. / My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. <a href="/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39-40</a> For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” <a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a> the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. <a href="/john/18-37.htm">John 18:37</a> “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” <a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a> This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a> Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” <a href="/matthew/23-24.htm">Matthew 23:24</a> You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a> because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a> The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:10-12</a> and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. <a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-8</a> Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a> And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.do.<a href="/john/8-27.htm">John 8:27</a> They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.<a href="/john/5-43.htm">John 5:43</a> I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.<a href="/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17</a> If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.ye cannot.<a href="/john/6-60.htm">John 6:60</a> Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?<a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9</a> And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.<a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Jeremiah 6:10</a> To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-22.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/8-18.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/8-28.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/john/7-51.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/luke/15-3.htm">Language</a> <a href="/luke/13-25.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/john/8-38.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/luke/20-20.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/5-30.htm">Unable</a> <a href="/john/8-27.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/luke/24-38.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Word</a> <a href="/john/8-38.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-46.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/10-25.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/john/9-24.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Language</a> <a href="/john/9-27.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/john/8-45.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/10-6.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/9-33.htm">Unable</a> <a href="/john/10-6.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Word</a> <a href="/john/8-47.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>Why do you not understand what I am saying? In this phrase, Jesus addresses the Jewish leaders and the crowd, questioning their inability to comprehend His teachings. This reflects a recurring theme in the Gospels where Jesus' spiritual truths are often misunderstood by those who are spiritually blind or hardened in heart. The question highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities, who often misinterpret His words due to their preconceived notions and resistance to His message. This echoes <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>, where the prophet speaks of people who hear but do not understand, a prophecy Jesus Himself references in <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a>.It is because you are unable to accept My message. Here, Jesus identifies the root cause of their misunderstanding: an inability to accept His message. This inability is not intellectual but spiritual, indicating a deeper issue of the heart. The Greek word for "accept" implies a willingness to receive and embrace. The Jewish leaders' rejection of Jesus' message is tied to their spiritual condition, as seen in <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a>, where people love darkness rather than light. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of spiritual receptivity, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a>, where the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God. Jesus' message challenges their beliefs and authority, and their inability to accept it is a reflection of their spiritual state.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders and people who are questioning His authority and teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The primary audience of Jesus' message in this chapter, they are often in conflict with Jesus, challenging His teachings and authority. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this discourse, where Jesus is teaching in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_feast_of_tabernacles.htm">The Feast of Tabernacles</a> A significant Jewish festival during which Jesus delivers this teaching, providing a backdrop of religious observance and expectation. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_devil.htm">The Devil</a> Mentioned later in the chapter as the father of lies, contrasting with Jesus' message of truth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_understanding_requires_open_hearts.htm">Spiritual Understanding Requires Open Hearts</a> Jesus highlights that understanding His message is not just an intellectual exercise but requires a heart open to spiritual truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_barrier_of_sin_and_pride.htm">The Barrier of Sin and Pride</a> The inability to accept Jesus' message often stems from sin and pride, which blind individuals to the truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> Understanding and accepting Jesus' message is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who opens our hearts and minds to divine truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility_in_learning.htm">The Importance of Humility in Learning</a> Approaching Jesus' teachings with humility allows us to receive and understand His message more fully. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rejecting_truth.htm">The Consequences of Rejecting Truth</a> Rejecting Jesus' message leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God, emphasizing the importance of accepting His truth.<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/if_god_hardened_pharaoh's_heart,_why_blame_him.htm">If Exodus 14:17 says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, how can Pharaoh be held responsible for his actions?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_say_in_john_5_31,_8_14.htm">In the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness in John 5:31 and John 8:14?</a> <a href="/q/why_couldn't_jesus_do_miracles_in_mark_6_5.htm">In Mark 6:5, why would an all-powerful Jesus be unable to perform miracles in His hometown due to their unbelief?</a> <a href="/q/2_thess._3_3__why_do_faithful_still_suffer.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:3 - How can believers claim 'the Lord is faithful' if historical evidence suggests countless faithful people still suffer or face calamity?</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>(43) Why do ye not understand my speech, . . . my word.--The distinction between "speech" (the form) and "word" (the matter which was spoken) is rightly preserved. Comp. <a href="/john/12-48.htm" title="He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.">John 12:48</a>, "the word that I have spoken." A good instance of the meaning of "speech is found in <a href="/matthew/26-73.htm" title="And after a while came to him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely you also are one of them; for your speech denudes you.">Matthew 26:73</a>, "thy speech betrayeth thee." From <a href="/john/8-33.htm" title="They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?">John 8:33</a> onwards, they had constantly misunderstood His expressions. The reason is that the subject-matter of His discourse is altogether above them. He is speaking of spiritual things, which are spiritually discerned. They, if children of the Father whom they claimed, would recognise these spiritual truths and know the language of home.Ye cannot hear.--Comp. Note on <a href="/john/6-60.htm" title="Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?">John 6:60</a>. The sense is, "Ye cannot hear, so as to receive and obey." He supplies the answer to His own question. In the following verses (44-47), He expresses this answer more fully.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 43. - Why do ye not understand - come to appreciate and penetrate the significance of - my speech? There is delicate subtle distinction between λαλιά and λόγος, corresponding to that between λαλέω and λέγω. The former word connotes the form, manner, and tone of utterance, and the latter its inner substance and power. Λαλιά is a, word used for any manifestation of sound, a voice, the babble of children, the cries and songs of beasts or birds, for which purpose λὲγω and λόγος are not used (Trench, 'Syn. of N.T.'). Peter's λαλιά betrayed him to the Jerusalem crowd (<a href="/matthew/26-73.htm">Matthew 26:73</a>). Λόγος is the substance of the message, the burden of the revelation. The speech (λαλιά) of Christ refers to the appropriate and significant clothing which he gave to his word (λόγος). He mournfully asks why they had failed to get to understand the method of his converse; why they perpetually failed to appreciate his discourse; why they persistently put wrong constructions upon his phrase, and imagined him to be speaking of earthly things when he was discoursing to them of heavenly ones. Why? Because ye cannot hear my word - the Divine communication I have made to you. They were morally so far from him that they could not listen so as to receive his revelation. The inward organ of receptivity was lacking, and "so the spiritual idiom in which he spake was not spiritually understood" (Alford). The Divine significance of the whole word of Christ, the new and strange doctrines of Messiah, of redemption, of the Father, of a sacrifice and death on the part of the Son of man for the salvation of the world excited their animosity and bitter antipathies. They were not conscious of any of the need he came to satisfy, and so they failed to apprehend the entire manner of his revelation. They were from beneath (ver. 23). He is disclosing heavenly things. "Their ears have they closed, lest they should hear." <a href="/commentaries/john/8-43.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Why Διὰ (Dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. do you not understand γινώσκετε (ginōskete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. what τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine 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. I ἐμὴν (emēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. am saying? λαλιὰν (lalian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2981.htm">Strong's 2981: </a> (in classical Greek: babble, chattering) speech, talk; manner of speech, dialect. From laleo; talk. [It is] because ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. you are unable δύνασθε (dynasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. to accept ἀκούειν (akouein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <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. My ἐμόν (emon) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. message. λόγον (logon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:43 Why don't you understand my speech? 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