Devine Scripture

John 8:23

What does John 8:23 mean?

A plain-English look at John 8:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 8:23 means

Jesus declares a fundamental difference: “Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.” He identifies the source of their misunderstanding and unbelief—their origin and orientation are earthly and fallen. He, by contrast, comes from heaven, carrying the authority and purity of God’s realm. This is not mere moral comparison but ontological distinction. Their mindset is bound to worldly categories; His is aligned with the Father’s will. Salvation requires a shift from the world’s darkness to His light, from below to above, by trusting the One sent from God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, You are of the earth; I am from heaven: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said to them, `Ye are from beneath, I am from above; ye are of this world, I am not of this world;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: You are from beneath: I am from above. You are of this world: I am not of this world.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above. Ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Context

This verse answers the confusion of verse 22 by clarifying Jesus’ origin and their condition. It prepares directly for the next verse, where He states the consequence: without believing that He is the One He claims to be, they will die in their sins. The sequence tightens: origin (above/below) leads to destiny (life/death). The context highlights that Jesus’ identity is not optional theology; it determines whether one can follow Him to where He goes—into the Father’s presence.

v.22The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come?

v.23This passage

v.24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 17:4

    As for the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

  • John 17:14

    I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

  • 1 John 4:5

    They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.

  • James 4:4

    Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.

  • Philippians 3:19

    whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

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