Devine Scripture

John 7:16

What does John 7:16 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:16 means

Jesus answers that His teaching is not from Himself, but from Him who sent Him. He redirects attention from method to source. He is not a self-made teacher seeking reputation; He is the faithful Messenger of the Father’s words. This claim grounds His authority in divine sending. It also implies that to reject His teaching is to reject God. The verse highlights His humility and truthfulness: He points away from Himself as an independent authority and toward the One who commissioned Him. At the same time, it asserts a unique relationship—He speaks what He has heard from the Father.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Jesus gave them this answer: It is not my teaching, but his who sent me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus answered them and said, `My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Jesus answered them and said: My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus therefore answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but [that] of him that has sent me.

Context

Responding to marveling listeners, Jesus identifies the source of His doctrine. Next He explains how a person can discern its truth—by a will set to do God’s will (verse 17)—and contrasts self-glory with God’s glory as the mark of true teaching (verse 18). The argument moves from authority to moral readiness and integrity, challenging the motives and spiritual condition of His hearers.

v.15The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

v.16This passage

v.17If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:30

    I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

  • John 17:8

    for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.

  • John 5:23

    that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.

  • Revelation 1:1

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;

  • John 3:11

    Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

  • John 6:38

    For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

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