John 8:14
Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 31
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
2 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μαρτυρῶ
bear record
G3140
μαρτυρῶ
bear record
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
8 of 31
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
9 of 31
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ἐμαυτοῦ
myself
G1683
ἐμαυτοῦ
myself
Strong's:
G1683
Word #:
10 of 31
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 31
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἴδατε
I know
G1492
οἴδατε
I know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
17 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πόθεν
whence
G4159
πόθεν
whence
Strong's:
G4159
Word #:
18 of 31
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
ἔρχομαι
I came
G2064
ἔρχομαι
I came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
19 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ποῦ
whither
G4226
ποῦ
whither
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
21 of 31
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
ὑπάγω
I go
G5217
ὑπάγω
I go
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
22 of 31
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
οἴδατε
I know
G1492
οἴδατε
I know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
26 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πόθεν
whence
G4159
πόθεν
whence
Strong's:
G4159
Word #:
27 of 31
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
ἔρχομαι
I came
G2064
ἔρχομαι
I came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
28 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 16:28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.John 13:3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;John 8:42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.John 14:10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.John 17:8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.Numbers 12:3(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Historical Context
Jesus' claim to know His origin ('whence I came') asserts preexistence and divine origin, directly claiming deity in a way His audience understood but rejected.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing your identity in Christ affect your confidence?
- Why is divine self-revelation necessary for knowing God truly?
- What makes Christ's testimony about God uniquely trustworthy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus responds that His self-testimony is valid because He knows His origin and destiny - He came from the Father and returns to Him. The Pharisees' ignorance of His identity disqualifies their judgment. True self-knowledge and knowledge of God make Christ's testimony uniquely reliable. The Reformed emphasis on divine revelation finds expression here - only God can reliably testify about God.