John 8:13
What does John 8:13 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:13 means
The Pharisees object that Jesus is bearing witness about Himself, and therefore His testimony is not valid. They appeal to legal principles requiring multiple witnesses. Their challenge is formal, aiming to discredit His claim by procedural standards rather than by engaging its truth. Yet they overlook that truth can attest to itself when it comes from the One who knows heaven and earth. Their concern for rules masks a deeper blindness to who stands before them. They treat the Light as if it were just another human voice to be cross-examined, missing the divine identity that gives His words weight.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the Pharisees said to him, The witness you give is about yourself: your witness is not true.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Pharisees, therefore, said to him, `Thou of thyself dost testify, thy testimony is not true;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Pharisees therefore said to him: Thou givest testimony of thyself. Thy testimony is not true.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Pharisees therefore said to him, Thou bearest witness concerning thyself; thy witness is not true.
Context
This objection follows Jesus’ sweeping claim to be the light of the world. The leaders shift the discussion into the courtroom of the Law, attempting to trap Him on technicalities. Jesus will answer by grounding His truthfulness in His heavenly origin and unity with the Father, and by meeting the legal standard of two witnesses—Himself and the Father. This exchange sets up a series of statements where Jesus contrasts their fleshly judgment with the Father’s true judgment, and asserts that knowing Him is inseparable from knowing the Father.
v.12Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
v.13This passage
v.14Jesus answered and said unto them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I come, or whither I go.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 5:31
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
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