John 8:25
What does John 8:25 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:25 means
When they ask, “Who art thou?” Jesus answers that He is exactly what He has been saying from the beginning. He has not hidden His identity; His words and works consistently reveal Him as the One sent from the Father. Their question is not born of honest seeking but resistant hearts unwilling to accept what is plain. Jesus refuses to cater to unbelief with novelty. He points back to His earlier claims—light of the world, sent by the Father, from above—and calls them to receive what has already been made known. Clarity is not the problem; surrender is.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? Jesus said unto them, Even that which I have also spoken unto you from the beginning.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? Jesus said unto them, Even that which I have also spoken unto you from the beginning.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then they said to him, Who are you? Jesus said, What I said to you from the first.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They said, therefore, to him, `Thou--who art thou?' and Jesus said to them, `Even what I did speak of to you at the beginning;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They said therefore to him: Who art thou? Jesus said to them: The beginning, who also speak unto you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They said therefore to him, Who art thou? [And] Jesus said to them, Altogether that which I also say to you.
Context
This exchange follows Jesus’ warning about believing in Him to avoid dying in sins. The leaders push for self-definition, perhaps hoping for grounds to accuse Him. Jesus’ reply asserts continuity: nothing new, the same message. The next verse will emphasize that He has many true judgments to render, but He speaks only what He hears from the One who sent Him. The flow underscores integrity and submission—He is consistent and God-directed. This sets up their continued misunderstanding and Jesus’ pointing forward to the cross as the decisive revelation.
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.
v.25This passage
v.26I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:22
They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
- John 1:19
And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?
- Luke 22:67
If thou art the Christ, tell us. But he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
- John 10:24
The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.
- John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.
- John 8:12
Again 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.
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