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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 8:46 Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-46.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/43_Jhn_08_46.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:46 - The Children of the Devil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? 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If I am telling the truth, why don&#8217t you believe me? <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Which of you convicts me concerning sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Which one of you [has proof and] convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don&#8217t you believe Me? <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me? <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Can any of you accuse me of sin? If you cannot, why won't you have faith in me? After all, I am telling you the truth. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me? <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Can any of you convict me of committing a sin? If I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me? <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me? <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me? <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Which of you convicteth me of sin? And if I speak the truth, why do ye not believe me? <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Which of *you* convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Who of you convicts Me of sin? And if I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Which of you convicts me concerning sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Who of you doth convict me of sin? and if I speak truth, wherefore do ye not believe me? <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Which of you convicts me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Which of you shall convince me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe me? <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Which of you can convict me of sin? If I speak the truth to you, why do you not believe me? <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Can any of you charge me with sin? If I am telling the truth, why do you not believe me? <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Which one of you can rebuke me because of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Who among you is convicting me of sin? And if I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Which of you convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Which one of you convicts me concerning sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Which of you can convict me of sin? Now if I speak the truth, why do ye not believe me? <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> which of you can convict me of sin? if then I say the truth, why don't you believe me? <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Which of *you* convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Who of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do ye not believe Me?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And if I speak truth, why do ye not believe me?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-46.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=3081" 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> …45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me! 46<a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">Which</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/1651.htm" title="1651: elenchei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish.">can prove Me guilty</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">of</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartias (N-GFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sin?</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I speak</a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheian (N-AFS) -- From alethes; truth.">the truth,</a> <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/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">do you</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.">not</a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: pisteuete (V-PIA-2P) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">believe</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me?</a> 47Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”…<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="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a> God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. <a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a> For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. <a href="/1_peter/2-22.htm">1 Peter 2:22</a> “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” <a href="/1_john/3-5.htm">1 John 3:5</a> But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. <a href="/john/14-30.htm">John 14:30</a> I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me. <a href="/john/18-38.htm">John 18:38</a> “What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. <a href="/john/19-4.htm">John 19:4</a> Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” <a href="/luke/23-4.htm">Luke 23:4</a> Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” <a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Matthew 27:24</a> When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” <a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a> He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. <a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm">1 Peter 1:19</a> but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. <a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a> If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a> For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a> By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?convinceth.<a href="/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7</a> So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.<a href="/john/14-30.htm">John 14:30</a> Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.<a href="/john/15-10.htm">John 15:10</a> If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.why.<a href="/matthew/21-25.htm">Matthew 21:25</a> The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?<a href="/mark/11-31.htm">Mark 11:31</a> And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-43.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/8-45.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/john/8-45.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-25.htm">Convict</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-13.htm">Convicts</a> <a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/john/6-6.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/john/8-34.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/luke/19-7.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/john/8-45.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/8-38.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/john/8-45.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/8-45.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/9-4.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/9-18.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/john/9-18.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/john/16-8.htm">Convict</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-13.htm">Convicts</a> <a href="/john/9-41.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/john/15-8.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/john/9-2.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/john/9-16.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/john/9-21.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/10-6.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/10-41.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/9-27.htm">Wherefore</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>Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? In this rhetorical question, Jesus challenges His audience, primarily the Pharisees, to identify any sin in His life. This is significant because, according to Jewish law, a sinless life was a prerequisite for being a true prophet or the Messiah. The question underscores Jesus' sinlessness, a key tenet of Christian theology, as seen in <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a>, which states that Jesus "knew no sin." The challenge also highlights the inability of His opponents to find any legitimate fault in Him, despite their efforts. This moment reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's purity, such as <a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a>, which speaks of the suffering servant having "done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth."If I speak the truth, Here, Jesus asserts His role as the bearer of divine truth. In the Gospel of John, truth is a central theme, with Jesus often referring to Himself as the embodiment of truth (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>). This statement connects to the broader biblical narrative where truth is associated with God's character and His revelation to humanity. The emphasis on truth also contrasts with the deception and falsehood that Jesus attributes to the devil earlier in the chapter (<a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a>). The cultural context of the time valued truth as a divine attribute, and Jesus' claim would have been understood as a declaration of His divine authority.why do you not believe Me? This question addresses the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart of Jesus' audience. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, many still refused to believe in Him. This disbelief fulfills the prophecy in <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a> about people who hear but do not understand. The question also serves as a call to self-examination for the listeners, urging them to consider the reasons for their unbelief. In a broader theological context, this highlights the theme of faith and the necessity of belief in Jesus for salvation, as emphasized throughout the New Testament, particularly in <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16-18</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 the crowd, challenging them to find any sin in Him, thereby asserting His sinlessness and divine authority. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a> The religious authorities of the time, often in opposition to Jesus, questioning His teachings and authority. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this discourse, a significant city in Jewish religious life, where Jesus often taught and performed miracles. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> The general populace present during Jesus' teaching, witnessing the interaction between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a> While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, much of <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">John 8</a> takes place in or around the temple, a central place of worship and teaching.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_sinlessness_of_christ.htm">The Sinlessness of Christ</a> Jesus' challenge to His accusers underscores His unique nature as the sinless Son of God. This is foundational to understanding His role as the perfect sacrifice for sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_authority_of_truth.htm">The Authority of Truth</a> Jesus' question about speaking the truth invites reflection on the authority of His words. Believers are called to trust in His teachings as the ultimate truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_believe.htm">The Call to Believe</a> The challenge of belief is central to this passage. Despite the evidence of Jesus' sinlessness and truth, many did not believe. This calls us to examine our own faith and response to Jesus' words. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_unbelief.htm">The Nature of Unbelief</a> The resistance to Jesus' message highlights the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart that can prevent belief. This serves as a warning to remain open to God's truth. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_truth.htm">Living in Truth</a> As followers of Christ, we are called to live in truth, reflecting Jesus' sinless nature in our conduct and interactions with others.<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/was_jesus_free_from_sin.htm">Was Jesus free from sin?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_romans_road_to_salvation.htm">What is the Romans Road to Salvation?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_holiness_of_christ.htm">What defines the holiness of Christ?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_blasphemy.htm">What does the Bible say about blaspheming God?</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>(46) Which of you convinceth me of sin?--He appeals to their knowledge of His sinless life, as in <a href="/john/8-29.htm" title="And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.">John 8:29</a>. He asserted His own knowledge of entire conformity to His Father's will. It is an appeal that spotless purity alone could make, and is His own testimony uttered in the dignity of certain knowledge. (Comp. <a href="/john/14-30.htm" title="Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me.">John 14:30</a>.)If I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?--We may suppose that the last question was probably followed by a pause, during which any one might have answered the challenge. No one of all who had watched Him in Galilee and Judaea dared utter a syllable. Their silence is the seal to His own testimony. But if He is thought of by these as without sin, they cannot think of His words as untrue. They admit, then, that He speaks the truth, and yet they do not believe. On the absolute sinlessness of Christ, comp. <a href="/1_john/3-5.htm" title="And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.">1John 3:5</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm" title="For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.">2Corinthians 5:21</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm" title="But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:">1Peter 1:19</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm" title="Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:">1Peter 1:22</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 46. - Which of you convieteth me of sin? Ἐλέγχω is used in the sense of <a href="/john/16-6.htm">John 16:6-8</a> (see note) - Which of you can justify a charge of sin against me? can bring it home to me or others? Sin (ἁμαρτία) is not mere "error," as Erasmus and some others have urged, because the word throughout the New Testament (and in the classics when not accompanied by some explanatory term) always means "contrariety to the will of God," moral offence not intellectual defect (so Meyer, Luthardt, Godet, Westcott). Nor is it sound exegesis to limit ἁμαρτία to one particular form of sin (such as "false doctrine," Calvin, Melancthon, Tholuck). There is no need to limit its reference; and in the unanswered query, while we cannot say that by itself this passage is sufficient to demonstrate the sinlessness of Christ, it reveals a sublime depth in his translucent consciousness that places him - unless he were the most deluded or self-sufficient of human teachers - on a different position from all other Divine messengers. In proportion as other great moral prophets have set their own standard high, they have become conscious of their own defects; and from Moses to St. Paul, from Augustine to St. Francis, the saintliest men have been the most alive to their own departures from their ideas of right. The standard of Jesus is higher than that of any other, and he appears nevertheless absolutely without need of repentance, above the power of temptation, beyond the range of conviction. True, the Jews brought a charge of madness and folly upon him immediately; but, so far from convincing him or mankind, they stand forever covered with the shame of their own incompetence to apprehend his message or himself. He being, then, without sin, and assuming that he stands in the eternal truth, and is the absolute Truth of things, and that he cannot from his moral purity deceive or misinform them, and that his testimony to himself is final, sufficient, and trustworthy, asks, If I say the truth - without your having convicted me of sin or brought any moral obliquity or offence against me - if I say (the) truth, why do ye not believe me? The reason is in them rather than in him. Their non-belief discloses no flaw in his revelation, but makes it evident that they and he are on different planes of being, with a discrepant, opposed, moral paternity. "Why do ye not believe me?" He marvelled at their unbelief! He is from God; they are from God's great enemy. The moral perfection of Jesus as the God-Man is absolutely necessary to his character as "God's Lamb," as "the Only Begotten," "the Son," and as "the Judge," of the human race. As he subsequently said, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing fit me." To account for this sinless, perfect humanity, the entire conception of the Divine nature blended in indissoluble union with his own is found imperative at every epoch of Christ's life. At every development of his official character, in every new combination of circumstance, in conflict and sorrow, when smarting from treachery and dying alone upon the cross, he is "perfect," he fulfils the perfect norm, he reaches the standard of Divine humanity. There is no discrepance here with even Mark's account of his language to the young ruler (<a href="/mark/10-18.htm">Mark 10:18</a>), for he does not there say that he is not good, nor does he do other than suggest that he is identified with the One who is good. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-46.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Which Τίς (Tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. of ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. can prove Me guilty ἐλέγχει (elenchei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1651.htm">Strong's 1651: </a> (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish. of περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. sin? ἁμαρτίας (hamartias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. If εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. I speak λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. [the] truth, ἀλήθειαν (alētheian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> From alethes; truth. 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 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. not οὐ (ou) 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. believe πιστεύετέ (pisteuete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust. Me? μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-46.htm">John 8:46 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:46 Which of you convicts me of sin? 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