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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 8:23 Then He told them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/43_Jhn_08_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:23 - The Woman Caught in Adultery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then He told them, You are from below; I am from above. 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You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He was saying to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He was saying to them, &#8220You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “You are from below,” he told them, “I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220You are from below,&#8221 He told them, &#8220I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered, "You are from below, but I am from above. You belong to this world, but I don't. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus said to them, "You're from below. I'm from above. You're from this world. I'm not from this world. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus answered, "You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world. <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> He told them, "You are from below, I'm from above. You are of this world, but I'm not of this world. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then He told them, ?You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus replied, "You people are from below; I am from above. You people are from this world; I am not from this world. <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said to them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You," He continued, "are from below, I am from above: you are of this present world, I am not of this present world. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He said to them, “You are from beneath, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He was saying to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he said to them, 'Ye are from beneath, I am from above; ye are of this world, I am not of this world; <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he said to them, Ye are from below I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he said to them: You are from beneath, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said to them: “You are from below. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he said to them, You are from be- low, and I am from above; you are of this world, but I am not of this world. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he said to them, “You are from below and I am from above. You are from this world; I am not from this world.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he said to them: You are from beneath, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He said to them, <FR>You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And he said to them, Ye are from those beneath; I am from those above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and he said to them, ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "You," He continued, "are from below, I am from above: you are of this present world, I am not of this present world. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He said to them, <FR>"Ye are from beneath; I am from above. Ye are of this world; I am not of this world.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And He said unto them, <FR>Ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-23.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=2878" 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> …22So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">He told</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.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: Hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">“You</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- 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/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2736.htm" title="2736: katō (Adv) -- (a) down, below, also: downwards, (b) lower, under, less, of a length of time. Also katotero; adverb from kata; downwards.">below;</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">am</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/507.htm" title="507: anō (Adv) -- Up, above, up to the top, up to the brim, things above, heaven, the heavenly region. Adverb from anti; upward or on the top.">above.</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">You</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- 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/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutou (DPro-GMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</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/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world;</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">am</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.">not</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutou (DPro-GMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</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/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world.</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.”…<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/3-31.htm">John 3:31</a> The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all. <a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14-16</a> I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. / I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. / They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. <a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Colossians 3:1-2</a> Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. / Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/1_john/4-5.htm">1 John 4:5-6</a> They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them. / We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. <a href="/john/18-36.htm">John 18:36</a> Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.” <a href="/romans/8-5.htm">Romans 8:5-6</a> Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. / The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, <a href="/1_corinthians/15-47.htm">1 Corinthians 15:47-49</a> The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. / As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. / And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man. <a href="/ephesians/2-6.htm">Ephesians 2:6</a> And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, <a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">2 Corinthians 5:1-2</a> For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a> “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. <a href="/psalms/113-5.htm">Psalm 113:5-6</a> Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high? / He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth. <a href="/proverbs/15-24.htm">Proverbs 15:24</a> The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol. <a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22</a> Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. <a href="/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23-24</a> “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” / “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.Ye are from.<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.<a href="/john/3-13.htm">John 3:13,31</a> And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven… <a href="/psalms/17-4.htm">Psalm 17:4</a> Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.ye are of.<a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18,19</a> If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you… <a href="/john/17-14.htm">John 17:14,16</a> I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world… <a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a> Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/14-66.htm">Below</a> <a href="/mark/14-66.htm">Beneath</a> <a href="/john/8-7.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/john/6-38.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/john/6-58.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/john/7-6.htm">Present</a> <a href="/john/8-12.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/2-19.htm">Below</a> <a href="/acts/1-9.htm">Beneath</a> <a href="/john/11-54.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/john/9-6.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/john/11-41.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/john/9-40.htm">Present</a> <a href="/john/8-26.htm">World</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>Then He told them, In this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders. This interaction takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival. Jesus often used these moments to reveal deeper spiritual truths. His teachings frequently challenged the religious leaders, who were often more concerned with legalistic traditions than with understanding the heart of God's message.“You are from below; Here, "below" refers to the earthly, human perspective that the Pharisees held. It signifies a mindset focused on worldly matters, human traditions, and the physical realm. This phrase highlights the contrast between human limitations and divine understanding. The Pharisees' inability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah stems from their earthly perspective.I am from above. Jesus asserts His divine origin, emphasizing His heavenly authority and mission. This statement aligns with the prologue of John's Gospel, where Jesus is described as the Word who was with God and was God (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1</a>). It underscores His pre-existence and divine nature, setting Him apart from all humanity. This claim of being "from above" is a direct assertion of His deity.You are of this world; The term "this world" refers to the fallen, sinful state of humanity and the systems opposed to God's kingdom. The Pharisees, despite their religious status, are depicted as being entrenched in worldly values and unable to comprehend spiritual truths. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the world being in opposition to God's purposes (1 <a href="/john/2-15.htm">John 2:15-17</a>).I am not of this world. Jesus distinguishes Himself from the worldly systems and values. His mission is not rooted in earthly power or authority but in fulfilling the divine plan of salvation. This statement foreshadows His later prayer in <a href="/john/17-16.htm">John 17:16</a>, where He declares that His followers are also not of the world, just as He is not. It emphasizes the call for believers to live according to heavenly principles, distinct from worldly influences.<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 speaking to the Pharisees and the people, making a distinction between His divine origin and their earthly nature. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A group of Jewish religious leaders who often opposed Jesus and His teachings. They are part of the audience to whom Jesus is speaking in this passage. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of this discourse, where Jesus often taught and confronted religious leaders. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_world.htm">The World</a> Refers to the earthly realm and its systems, which are contrasted with the heavenly realm from which Jesus originates. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_realm.htm">The Heavenly Realm</a> Implied in Jesus' statement as His place of origin, representing divine authority and truth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_divine_origin.htm">Understanding Jesus' Divine Origin</a> Recognize that Jesus' authority and teachings come from His divine nature and heavenly origin, setting Him apart from earthly leaders. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_citizens_of_heaven.htm">Living as Citizens of Heaven</a> As followers of Christ, we are called to live with a mindset focused on heavenly values, not conforming to the patterns of this world. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_spiritual_discernment.htm">The Call to Spiritual Discernment</a> Discern the difference between worldly wisdom and divine truth, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit to navigate life's challenges. <a href="/topical/e/embracing_our_identity_in_christ.htm">Embracing Our Identity in Christ</a> Embrace the identity of being "not of this world," which means living in a way that reflects Christ's love, truth, and holiness. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_eternal_perspective.htm">The Importance of Eternal Perspective</a> Maintain an eternal perspective in daily life, prioritizing spiritual growth and the advancement of God's kingdom over temporary worldly gains.<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_does_atonement_signify.htm">What defines being spiritually minded?</a> <a href="/q/does_jesus'_incarnation_change_god.htm">Does Jesus' incarnation violate God's immutability?</a> <a href="/q/does_john_3_13_say_none_ascended_pre-jesus.htm">Does John 3:13 imply no one ascended before Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_pilate's_'king_of_the_jews'.htm">Is there any historical evidence outside John 19:19 to confirm Pilate's inscription of 'King of the Jews'?</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>(23) There is indeed a gulf which they cannot pass, but it is not that between souls in Abraham's bosom and souls in Hades. It is the gulf between heaven and earth. This He brings out in two pairs of antithetic clauses. (Comp. Note on <a href="/john/1-3.htm" title="All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.">John 1:3</a>.) These clauses interpret each other, and no deeper meaning is to be given to the first pair than is borne by the second. We may arrange them in a pair of affirmatives and a pair of negatives--"Ye are from beneath;" "ye are of this world.""I am from above" (not from beneath); "I am not of this world."We have thus the full Hebrew expression of one thought, and this is the thought which John the Baptist, from another point of view, taught his disciples in <a href="/john/3-31.htm" title="He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.">John 3:31</a>. They are by origin and nature of the earth. He was by origin and nature from heaven. Of the earth, their feelings and thoughts and life were of the earth, and, by devotion to things of the earth, they are destroying the spirit made in the image of God, which is within them, and the link between them and heaven. He is from heaven in origin, and is divine in nature. He has come to reveal the heavenly and the divine to the earthly and the human. In Him, and in Him only, can their spirits find deliverance from sin, and find the true life; for in Him, and in Him only, the divine and the human meet.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - Yet this essential divergence is not based on fatalistic grounds, but on moral ones. The argument of the twenty-fourth verse explains the description of ver. 23. The ground of this utter alienation is the lack of belief, which will leave them in their sins to die. He said to them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above. You spring from the lower as opposed to the higher world; you are influenced by considerations drawn from the earthly, sensual, superficial, and transitory. It is not necessary to suppose that our Lord is clenching the Jews' harsh speech about the underworld with a tu-quoque, as though they verily belonged to the Gehenna to which they were consigning him; for the next pair of clauses are in parallel apposition with the former. In the words, Ye are of this world; I am not of this world, "This world" corresponds with the τῶν κάτω of the previous clause, and the "not of this world" corresponds with the τὰ ἄνω, the heavenly regions from which he has continually declared, in many varieties of phrase, that he had come, or descended, or been sent. Certainly and broadly speaking, this is true, as a contrast between Christ and all other men before their regeneration. Our Lord especially charges home upon these earth-bound souls, on these purely human, selfish, unspiritual, unrenewed, unbelieving men, this antagonism to himself, this refusal to walk in his light or receive his life. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh" (<a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a>). They are flesh. He does not exclude them forever from such participation in his own heavenly life as would reverse the descriptive and characteristic features of their being. The reason why they have not seen the kingdom or the King is that they are not born of the Spirit. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. He told ἔλεγεν (elegen) Verb - Imperfect 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. them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “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. are ἐστέ (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <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. from ἐκ (ek) 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. below; κάτω (katō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2736.htm">Strong's 2736: </a> (a) down, below, also: downwards, (b) lower, under, less, of a length of time. Also katotero; adverb from kata; downwards. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am εἰμί (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st 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. from ἐκ (ek) 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. above. ἄνω (anō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_507.htm">Strong's 507: </a> Up, above, up to the top, up to the brim, things above, heaven, the heavenly region. Adverb from anti; upward or on the top. 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. are ἐστέ (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <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. of ἐκ (ek) 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. this τούτου (toutou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. world; κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am εἰμὶ (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st 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. not 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. of ἐκ (ek) 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. this τούτου (toutou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. world. κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-23.htm">John 8:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-23.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:23 He said to them You are (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:24" /></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>