CINXE.COM

<!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 8:25 "Who are You?" they asked. "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning," Jesus replied.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-25.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_25.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:25 - The Woman Caught in Adultery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Who are You? they asked. Just what I have been telling you from the beginning, Jesus replied." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/8-25.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/8-25.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 25</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/8-24.htm" title="John 8:24">◄</a> John 8:25 <a href="/john/8-26.htm" title="John 8:26">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/8.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Who are you?&#8221 they asked. &#8220Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,&#8221 Jesus replied. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Who are you?” they demanded. Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore they were saying to Him, "Who are You?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I am saying to you from the beginning. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I even been saying to you from the beginning? <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> So they were saying to Him, &#8220Who are You?&#8221 Jesus said to them, &#8220What have I been saying to you from the beginning? <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And so they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning? <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning? <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So they said to Him, “Who are You [anyway]?” Jesus replied, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning? <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Who are you? ” they questioned. “Exactly what I’ve been telling you from the very beginning,” Jesus told them. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Who are You?&#8221 they questioned. &#8220Precisely what I&#8217ve been telling you from the very beginning,&#8221 Jesus told them. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? Jesus said unto them, Even that which I have also spoken unto you from the beginning. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Who are you?" they asked Jesus. Jesus answered, "I am exactly who I told you at the beginning. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? Jesus said unto them, Even that which I have also spoken unto you from the beginning. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The Jews asked him, "Who did you say you are?" Jesus told them, "I am who I said I was from the beginning. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Who are you?" they asked him. Jesus answered, "What I have told you from the very beginning. <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then they asked him, "Who are you?" Jesus told them, "What have I been telling you all along? <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus replied, "What I have told you from the beginning. <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They said therefore to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said they to him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You--who are you?" they asked. "How is it that I am speaking to you at all?" replied Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> “Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> They said therefore to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> They said, therefore, to Him, “You—who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “Even what I spoke of to you at the beginning; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore they were saying to Him, "Who are You?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I am saying to you from the beginning. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> They said, therefore, to him, 'Thou -- who art thou?' and Jesus said to them, 'Even what I did speak of to you at the beginning; <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then said they to him, Who art thou? And Jesus said to them, In the beginning, he which I spake to you.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> They said therefore to him: Who art thou? Jesus said to them: The beginning, who also speak unto you. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them: “The Beginning, who is also speaking to you. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Why do I speak to you at all?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> The Jews said, Who are you? Jesus said to them, Even though I should begin to speak to you, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> The Judeans were saying, “Who are you?” Yeshua said to them, “Even though I have begun to talk with you,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then they said to him: Who are you? And Jesus said to them: The same that I said to you at the beginning. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then they said to Him, Who art thou? And Jesus said to them, <FR>Even that which I also speak to you from the beginning.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> They said, therefore to him, Who art thou? And Jesus said to them, Assuredly the same as I am telling you. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> then said they to him, what art thou? and Jesus answered them, I am what I just now told you. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You--who are you?" they asked. "How is it that I am speaking to you at all?" replied Jesus. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> They said, therefore, to Him, "Who art Thou?" Jesus said to them, <FR>"Even that which I am saying to you from the beginning.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Then said they to Him, Who art thou? And Jesus answered them, <FR>Even <Fr>the same<FR> that I told you at first.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-25.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=2897" 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 Woman Caught in Adultery</a> …24That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” 25<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.">“Who</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: Sy (PPro-N2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">You?”</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Elegon (V-IIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they asked.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">“Just</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: ho¦ti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">what</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalō (V-PIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">I have been telling</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.">from the</a> <a href="/greek/746.htm" title="746: archēn (N-AFS) -- From archomai; a commencement, or chief.">beginning,” </a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">replied.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> 26“I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”…<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/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. <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="/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13</a> No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. <a href="/john/5-19.htm">John 5:19</a> So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does. <a href="/john/6-38.htm">John 6:38</a> For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/7-28.htm">John 7:28-29</a> Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him, / but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.” <a href="/john/10-30.htm">John 10:30</a> I and the Father are one.” <a href="/john/12-49.htm">John 12:49-50</a> I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” <a href="/john/17-8.htm">John 17:8</a> For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. <a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14</a> God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. <a href="/isaiah/43-10.htm">Isaiah 43:10-11</a> “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. / I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. <a href="/isaiah/48-12.htm">Isaiah 48:12</a> Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last. <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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said they to him, Who are you? And Jesus said to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning.Who.<a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19,22</a> And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? … <a href="/john/10-24.htm">John 10:24</a> Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.<a href="/john/19-9.htm">John 19:9</a> And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.Even.<a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a> Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.<a href="/john/5-17.htm">John 5:17</a> But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/12-11.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/john/6-41.htm">Claiming</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">First</a> <a href="/john/8-21.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/7-26.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/7-26.htm">Speaking</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/9-34.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Claiming</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">First</a> <a href="/john/8-28.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-26.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/8-27.htm">Speaking</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>“Who are You?” they asked. This question is posed by the Pharisees, a group of Jewish religious leaders who often challenged Jesus. Their inquiry reflects a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, where Jesus' identity is a central focus. The Pharisees' question indicates their skepticism and possibly their frustration with Jesus' teachings and claims. In the broader context of <a href="/john/8.htm">John 8</a>, Jesus is engaged in a dialogue about His divine origin and mission. This question also echoes earlier instances in the Gospel where people are confused or curious about Jesus' true nature (e.g., <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19-22</a>, <a href="/john/7-25.htm">John 7:25-27</a>). The question highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities, who struggle to understand or accept His claims of divinity.“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. Jesus' response emphasizes consistency in His message and mission. From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus has been revealing His identity through His teachings, miracles, and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. This statement underscores the idea that Jesus' identity and purpose have been clear and unchanging, even if misunderstood by His audience. In the context of John's Gospel, "from the beginning" can also refer to the prologue (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1-18</a>), where Jesus is introduced as the Word, who was with God and was God. This phrase connects to the theme of Jesus as the eternal Logos, who has been revealing God's truth consistently. Jesus' reply also serves as a gentle rebuke to the Pharisees, suggesting that their inability to understand is due to their unwillingness to accept the truth He has consistently presented.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure in the Gospel of John, the Son of God, who is revealing His identity and mission to the people. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees.htm">The Pharisees</a> Jewish religious leaders who often questioned and challenged Jesus, seeking to understand or discredit His claims. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this discourse, a significant city in Jewish religious life and the location of the Temple. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a> The place where Jesus often taught, symbolizing God's presence among His people. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> The general audience, including both followers and skeptics, listening to Jesus' teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/consistency_of_christ's_message.htm">Consistency of Christ's Message</a> Jesus' response emphasizes the consistency and reliability of His message. He has been revealing His identity and mission from the beginning, and His message remains unchanged. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_identity.htm">Understanding Jesus' Identity</a> The question "Who are You?" reflects a fundamental inquiry into Jesus' identity. Believers are encouraged to seek a deeper understanding of who Jesus is through Scripture and personal relationship. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith.htm">The Importance of Faith</a> The Pharisees' questioning highlights the struggle between doubt and faith. Believers are called to trust in Jesus' words and His revealed identity. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_knowing_christ.htm">The Role of Scripture in Knowing Christ</a> Jesus' teachings are rooted in Scripture. Studying the Bible is essential for understanding His identity and mission. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_skepticism.htm">Responding to Skepticism</a> Jesus' calm and consistent response to skepticism serves as a model for believers when facing questions or doubts about their faith.<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/why_should_we_believe_jesus_was_god.htm">Why should we believe Jesus was God?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_christians_see_jesus'_nature.htm">How do Christians view Jesus' divinity and humanity?</a> <a href="/q/does_'bread_of_life'_conflict_beliefs.htm">John 6:35: Does Jesus's claim to be the 'bread of life' conflict with other biblical teachings or Jewish beliefs about divine provision?</a> <a href="/q/is_marriage_honorable_for_all.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'My hour has not yet come'?</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>(25) Then said they unto him, Who art thou?--They ask the question in the tone of scorn which they have already expressed in <a href="/john/8-22.htm" title="Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he said, Where I go, you cannot come.">John 8:22</a>. The pronoun is the emphatic word: "Thou, who art thou?" and the phrase was in frequent use to express contempt. He had said, "I am;" but they do not understand the words to be a divine name. Long before this time the name formed from these words, and which is now usually, but wrongly, read "Jehovah," had been regarded as too sacred to be uttered. They appear to take the sentence as though it was incomplete, "I am . . .;" "Well, who art thou?" We have again, as in <a href="/john/8-19.htm" title="Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.">John 8:19</a>, to note the attempt to draw from Him some definite statement which may be made the ground of a technical charge; but this He again avoids.And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.--Almost every word of this answer is in the Greek capable of more than one meaning, and the true interpretation of the whole sentence cannot be decided with certainty. To discuss it with any fulness would be to encumber the page with details which would be unintelligible to the general reader; to discuss it with anything but fulness would be unsatisfactory to the student. There is little room for addition to the investigations which are now accessible. The full notes of Meyer and Stier and Tholuck may be read in English; and Dr. Moulton's addition to his Translation of Winer's Grammar (eighth edition, 1877, pp. 581-2), gives in a few words nearly all that can be said on the grammatical difficulty. After a careful consideration of the whole matter, it is believed, though not without hesitation, that the rendering, which is least liable to objection on any ground, is that which regards the answer as itself a question--"What I from the beginning am also speaking to you?" "You ask who I am. This has formed the substance of My teaching from the beginning, and is the substance of My teaching still." (Comp. <a href="/john/8-58.htm" title="Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.">John 8:58</a>.) "Can it be that you ask this?"<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 25. - Then said they to him - the hostile Jerusalem party - in scornful mockery, Σὺ τίς εϊ; Who art thou? "Define thyself more closely; make thy claims clear and categorical. Give now a direct answer to a plain question." It is very remarkable that the Lord often refuses to respond in the precise form in which his interlocutors demand an answer. He sees the multitudinous sides of every truth, and frequently gives to his questioners the means of answering their question from the ground of deep spiritual conviction, rather than furnishes them with a formula which might easily be abused. Who art thou? How profoundly pathetic! How confirmatory of his own words, "Ye have not known me, nor my Father"! The reply which our Lord gave to the question has occasioned greater variety of interpretation than, perhaps, any other sentence in the Gospel: Τὴν ἀρχὴν ὅτι (or ὅτι,) καὶ λαλῶὑμῖν. The meaning of the words taken separately is disputable; the relation to the context has been very variously understood. (1) The sentence may be taken interrogatively: τὴν ἀρχὴν regarded adverbially in the sense of "at all," and ὅτι in the sense of "why?" which is perhaps justified by <a href="/mark/9-11.htm">Mark 9:11, 28</a>. So that it might mean, Why do I even speak with you at all? This is the interpretation of the ancient Greek Fathers, Cyril and Chrysostom; is preferred by Lucke ('Comm.,' 2:301-313); and with slight modifications is adopted by Ewald (who gives it more the form of an exclamation, "How is it that I should have to speak to you at all!" [this rendering is put in the margin of R.T.], Westcott and Moulton (see note to Winer, 'Grammar of New Testament,' pp. 581, 582), Matthai, and others. Meyer has differed somewhat in successive editions, but (4th edit.) translates, "What I from the beginning am also speaking to you (do ye ask)?" Can you still be asking concerning that which I have been from the beginning saying to you, viz. "Who I am"? This interpretation is singularly obscure. It turns on the fact that, except in some virtually negative sentences, ἀρχὴν cannot have the force of "at all," and falls back on the conclusion that it must, when used adverbially, have the force of "from the first." Lucke devotes great space to the proof from classical Greek that ἀρχὴν never means ὅλως, or omnino, except in association with a negative sentence, and he discusses the four exceptions to this supposed rule which some grammarians have discovered in secular Greek (Lennep. 'Ap. Phalarid.,' pp. 82, 55, and 92), and thereupon, in a different way from Meyer, endeavours to supply the negative conception. In reply to Meyer, it is fair to say that Christ had not been constantly announcing in categorical terms who he was and is; and further, that the rendering practically introduces a clause, "do ye ask," which is not in the text; moreover, its rendering transforms λαλῶ into λελαλήκα. (2) Many have advocated an affirmative rendering. Augustine (with Lampe and Fritzsche) takes τὴν ἀρχὴν as the Ἀρχή of the universe, the principium (as <a href="/revelation/21-6.htm">Revelation 21:6</a>), and translates," Believe that I am the Principium (the Logos), because I am also speaking with you (because, humbled on your account, I have descended to such words as these)." Chrysostom and Nonnus (who turned the Gospel into Greek hexameters) associate the sentence with what follows; thus: "I, the Ἀρχή, who also speak to you, have many things to say and judge of you." The accusative form is thus set at nought. Calvin takes τὴν ἀρχὴν as equal to ἐξ ἀρχῆς, "from the beginning" (so that the meaning would be, "I did not arise suddenly, but as I was formerly promised, so now I come forth publicly"), "because I also speak with you." In other words, "What I now speak is in accordance with the conditions made in all ages 'from the beginning.' So Delitzsch, Hebrew version of New Testament. Luthardt seems to approach this view, which he makes more difficult by insisting that τὴν ἀρχὴν does not mean "from" but "at the beginning." The view of Winer, Grimm, Alford, Stier, Godet, Thoma, and Plummer, is substantially the same, giving to τὴν ἀρχὴν the sense of omnino. Essentially, wholly, altogether (I am) that which even I am saying to you. The grammatical objection that this use of τὴν ἀρχὴν demands a negative sentence in classic Greek, is not conclusive. This is the only place in the New Testament where the word is used adverbially, and it is in reply to a mocking question which has much virtual negative in it. Green ('Critical Notes') urges that the sense of "altogether" (omnino) was preserved in all kinds of sentences without distinction. He does not prove it, but it is entirely probable that it might have this force in New Testament Greek. The great advantage of the rendering is that it brings the answer into relation with the entire previous discourse, in which Christ's testimony to himself had been disputed because (in the opinion of those who were debating with him) that testimony had not been adequately supported. "I am the Revelation of the Father, the Messenger from heaven, the Bread of God, the Light of the world - essentially that which I am saying to you." Believe my own testimony thus far, and that will answer the query, "Who art thou?" There is no great distinction between this view and that of De Wette: "Von vorne herein (vor allen Dingen) bin ich was ich auch zu euch rede," as Bruckner put it - "From the beginning, from the first, (I am) what I am also saying to you." Winer's view seems to me the best. Grimm thus translates: "Omnino, hoc est sine ulla exceptione sum, quod etiam vobis eloquor, non solum sum, sed etiam vobis, praedico id quod sum." <a href="/commentaries/john/8-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Who 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. are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. You?” Σὺ (Sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. they asked. Ἔλεγον (Elegon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “Just καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. what ὅ¦τι (ho¦ti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. I have been telling λαλῶ (lalō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. 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. from 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. beginning,” ἀρχὴν (archēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_746.htm">Strong's 746: </a> From archomai; a commencement, or chief. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. replied. Εἶπεν (Eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-25.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:25 They said therefore to him Who (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:26" /></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>