John 7:18
What does John 7:18 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:18 means
Jesus contrasts two kinds of teachers: those who speak from themselves and seek their own glory, and the one who seeks the glory of the Sender. The latter is true, without unrighteousness. He implicitly describes His own ministry—He does not promote Himself but the Father. Purity of motive and alignment with God’s honor validate the messenger and message. This standard unmasks religious ambition cloaked as zeal. It also explains the compelling integrity in Jesus’ words: they ring true because He is wholly devoted to the Father’s glory. The verse invites hearers to judge teachers by their aim—self-exaltation or God-exaltation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The man whose words come from himself is looking for glory for himself, but he who is looking for the glory of him who sent him--that man is true and there is no evil in him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`He who is speaking from himself his own glory doth seek, but he who is seeking the glory of him who sent him, this one is true, and unrighteousness is not in him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, he is true and there is no injustice in him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he that seeks the glory of him that has sent him, he is true, and unrighteousness is not in him.
Context
After stating that obedience yields discernment, Jesus adds a criterion for evaluating messengers: whose glory do they seek? This critique prepares for His charge that, despite receiving Moses’ Law, they do not keep it and are plotting murder (verse 19). The trajectory moves from principles of discernment to concrete exposure of hypocrisy, escalating the confrontation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey; Sofor mento search out their own glory is grievous.
- John 11:4
But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby.
- Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
- Numbers 11:29
And Moses said unto him, Art thou jealous for my sake? would that all Jehovah’s people were prophets, that Jehovah would put his Spirit upon them!
- John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6
nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
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