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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 8:40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_08_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:40 - The Children of the Devil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. 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Abraham did not do such things. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has spoken to you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But now you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. This Abraham did not do. <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But as it is, you want to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. This is not the way Abraham acted. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this! <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Instead, you want to kill me for telling you the truth that God gave me. Abraham never did anything like that. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I am a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. But now you want to kill me. Abraham wouldn't have done that. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this! <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> But now you're trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham would'nt have done that. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this! <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God: this did not Abraham. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But, in fact, you are longing to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth which I have heard from God. Abraham did not do that. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and now, you seek to kill Me—a Man who has spoken to you the truth I heard from God; Abraham did not do this; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has spoken to you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and now, ye seek to kill me -- a man who hath spoken to you the truth I heard from God; this Abraham did not; <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And now ye seek to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But now you seek to kill me, a man who have spoken the truth to you, which I have heard of God. This Abraham did not. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But now you are seeking to kill me, a man who has spoken the truth to you, which I have heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But behold, now you want to kill me, even a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But now, behold, you are seeking to kill me; I am a man who have spoken the truth with you, which I have heard from God; this Abraham did not do.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But now you seek to kill me, a man that has spoken to you the truth, which I have heard from God; this Abraham did not. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard with God: Abraham did not this.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But now ye seek to kill me, a man who hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God. Abraham did not so. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but now ye seek to kill me, the man who has told you the truth, such as I have learnt it of God: Abraham did not act thus. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But, in fact, you are longing to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth which I have heard from God. Abraham did not do that. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>But now ye are seeking to kill Me, a Man Who hath told you the truth, which I heard from My Father: this Abraham did not.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>but now ye seek to kill me, who have told you the truth which I have heard from God: Abraham did not thus.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-40.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=3015" 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> …39“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. 40<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.">now</a> <a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zēteite (V-PIA-2P) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">you are trying</a> <a href="/greek/615.htm" title="615: apokteinai (V-ANA) -- To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.">to kill</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me,</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpon (N-AMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">who</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lelalēka (V-RIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">has told</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</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.">the</a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheian (N-AFS) -- From alethes; truth.">truth</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hēn (RelPro-AFS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">that</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: ēkousa (V-AIA-1S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">I 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."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God.</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-NMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">never</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: epoiēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">did</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">such a thing.</a> 41You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”…<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="/genesis/18-1.htm">Genesis 18:1-8</a> Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. / And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. / “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. ... <a href="/genesis/26-5.htm">Genesis 26:5</a> because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” <a href="/genesis/37-4.htm">Genesis 37:4</a> When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. <a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">Exodus 20:1-17</a> And God spoke all these words: / “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. / You shall have no other gods before Me. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15</a> The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him. <a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18-19</a> I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. / And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name. <a href="/psalms/105-9.htm">Psalm 105:9-10</a> the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. <a href="/jeremiah/11-19.htm">Jeremiah 11:19</a> For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.” <a href="/zechariah/11-8.htm">Zechariah 11:8</a> And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a> Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. <a href="/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ <a href="/mark/12-7.htm">Mark 12:7</a> But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ <a href="/luke/4-24.htm">Luke 4:24</a> Then He added, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. <a href="/luke/20-14.htm">Luke 20:14</a> But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.now.<a href="/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37</a> I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.<a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">Psalm 37:12,32</a> The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth… <a href="/galatians/4-16.htm">Galatians 4:16,29</a> Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? … a man.<a href="/john/8-26.htm">John 8:26,38,56</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… this.<a href="/romans/4-12.htm">Romans 4:12</a> And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-39.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-24.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/john/1-43.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/john/4-18.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/john/8-38.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-21.htm">Longing</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/john/7-30.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/john/8-34.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/8-32.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-41.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/john/9-37.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/john/9-32.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/10-10.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/romans/1-11.htm">Longing</a> <a href="/john/8-50.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/john/8-50.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">True.</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>But now you are trying to kill Me This phrase highlights the growing hostility towards Jesus from the Jewish leaders. The intent to kill Jesus reflects the increasing tension between Jesus and the religious authorities, who saw Him as a threat to their power and influence. This animosity is rooted in Jesus' claims of divinity and His challenge to their interpretations of the Law. The desire to kill Jesus fulfills the prophetic anticipation of the suffering servant, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3-7</a>, where the Messiah is described as being despised and rejected by men.a man who has told you the truth Jesus emphasizes His humanity here, which is significant in the context of the Incarnation. He is fully God and fully man, a mystery central to Christian theology. The truth He speaks is not just factual but divine revelation, aligning with His role as the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>). His teachings often challenged the established religious norms, calling people back to the heart of God's commandments rather than mere ritual observance.that I heard from God This phrase underscores Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, affirming His divine authority. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus frequently speaks of His unity with the Father (<a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a>) and His role as the one who reveals the Father to humanity (<a href="/john/14-9.htm">John 14:9</a>). This claim to divine revelation was a direct challenge to the religious leaders, who prided themselves on their understanding of God and the Law.Abraham never did such a thing Jesus contrasts the actions of the Jewish leaders with those of Abraham, the patriarch of Israel. Abraham is revered for his faith and obedience to God (<a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a>), and Jesus implies that true children of Abraham would act in faith and righteousness, not in violence and rejection of God's messenger. This reference to Abraham also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with Abraham and the promise of blessing to all nations through his offspring, ultimately fulfilled in Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a>).<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, emphasizing His divine mission and the truth He brings from God. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The audience Jesus is speaking to, who are plotting against Him due to His claims and teachings that challenge their authority and understanding of the law. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch of the Jewish faith, referenced by Jesus to highlight the contrast between Abraham's faithfulness and the current actions of the Jewish leaders. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The source of the truth that Jesus is proclaiming, underscoring the divine authority behind His message. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_truth.htm">The Truth</a> Central to Jesus' mission, representing the divine revelation and the fulfillment of God's promises through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_truth.htm">The Nature of Truth</a> Jesus embodies and speaks the truth from God. As believers, we are called to seek and uphold this truth in our lives, even when it challenges societal norms or personal beliefs. <a href="/topical/c/contrast_with_abraham.htm">Contrast with Abraham</a> Jesus uses Abraham as a model of faith and obedience. We should strive to emulate Abraham's openness to God's message and His messengers. <a href="/topical/r/resistance_to_divine_truth.htm">Resistance to Divine Truth</a> The Jewish leaders' reaction to Jesus highlights a common human tendency to resist uncomfortable truths. We must examine our hearts for areas where we might be resisting God's truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_following_jesus.htm">The Cost of Following Jesus</a> Jesus' life and message often provoke opposition. As His followers, we should be prepared to face challenges and opposition for standing by His truth. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_action.htm">Faith and Action</a> True faith, like Abraham's, is demonstrated through actions. Our belief in Jesus should be evident in how we live and respond to God's 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/what_is_the_beatific_vision.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'your father the devil'?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_jesus_unique_among_leaders.htm">What distinguishes Jesus from other religious leaders?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'your_father'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "your father the devil"?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_love_has_won_movement.htm">What does John 8:32 mean about knowing the truth?</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>(40) But now ye seek to kill me--i.e., As a matter of fact, in opposition to the conduct which would characterise the true children of Abraham, ye are seeking to kill Me. (Comp. Note on <a href="/john/8-37.htm" title="I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.">John 8:37</a>.)A man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard (better, which I heard) from God.--The term "a man," expresses His revelation, by means of human form, of the divine truth which He heard in the pre-human state (<a href="/john/8-38.htm" title="I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.">John 8:38</a>). The crime of seeking to kill Him is aggravated by the fact that He was One who came to tell them truth, and that from God. They seek to destroy the human life which for the sake of humanity He has assumed.This did not Abraham.--It is usual to explain these words by a reference to Abraham's receptivity of the divine truth and messengers (see Genesis 12; Genesis 14; Genesis 18; Genesis 22); but they probably point to the whole course of the patriarchal life as directly opposed to the spirit of those who claim to be his children.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 40. - But now, as things are, ye are seeking - plotting, contriving, in subtle ways and by false charges - to kill me. The entire discourse is made more obvious by our Lord's discovery of the plot of the last few days, and by his allowing his friends and opponents to know that he had penetrated the thin, subtle disguise under which this murderous plan was veiled. The excitement produced by this bold charge among his own true disciples, and those who now for the first time heard of it, by our Lord's then and there lifting the veil from many a specious question; the look of guilt on the countenances of some, of truculent admission of the charge in the gesture of others; the loud murmurs and confused cries of the crowd, - must all be realized to apprehend the tremendous crisis which had now arrived. He aggravated the charge by describing himself as a man who hath declared to you the truth which I heard from God. This is the only place where the Lord speaks of himself as "a man" (cf. <a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Acts 17:31</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>). He here describes himself as One who is subject and liable to their murderous passion - a man, seeing that his eternal Personality has been presented to his antagonists in the form of man. His manhood was the link of relation between the God who sent him, taught him, surrounded and enveloped him, and the consciousness of his hearers. This is the highest representation of the very conception of a Divine commission and a Divine message. They were seeking to stamp out a Divine fire, to drown a heavenly voice, to refuse and trample upon a sacred Messenger. This did not Abraham. The father of the faithful was susceptible to the heavenly voice, he heard and obeyed the voice of Jehovah with childlike docility (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12, 14, 18, 22</a>.). The visions, the commands, the messengers, the manifestations, of God to Abraham were so readily accepted that his faith is a proverb, and his greatest name is "friend of God." The wilful, hurried, malicious treatment of both the Divine Messenger and the sacred message, both of which Jesus declared to have come directly from God, proves the lack of relation with the Life of Abraham. They might be Abraham's "seed" (σπέρμα) but not his (τέκνα) children, and he in this sense could not be their "father." <a href="/commentaries/john/8-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. now νῦν (nyn) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3568.htm">Strong's 3568: </a> A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate. you are trying ζητεῖτέ (zēteite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. to kill ἀποκτεῖναι (apokteinai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_615.htm">Strong's 615: </a> To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy. Me, με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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. a man ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. who ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. has told λελάληκα (lelalēka) Verb - Perfect 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. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. the 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. truth ἀλήθειαν (alētheian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> From alethes; truth. that ἣν (hēn) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. I heard ἤκουσα (ēkousa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <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. God. Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Abraham Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. never οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. did ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <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. such a thing. τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-40.htm">John 8:40 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-40.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:40 But now you seek to kill me (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:41" /></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>