Devine Scripture

John 8:40

What does John 8:40 mean?

A plain-English look at John 8:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 8:40 means

Jesus points to the stark reality: they seek to kill Him, a man who has told them the truth he heard from God. Abraham did not do such a thing. This direct exposure strips away excuses. Murderous intent against a bearer of divine truth is incompatible with Abraham’s faith, which welcomed God’s word. Their hostility reveals their spiritual kinship—something other than Abraham. Jesus identifies the contradiction without flinching. The issue is not a mere intellectual disagreement; it is a moral confrontation with truth that provokes hatred in hearts enslaved to darkness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But now you have a desire to put me to death, a man who has said to you what is true, as I had it from God: Abraham did not do that.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and now, ye seek to kill me--a man who hath spoken to you the truth I heard from God; this Abraham did not;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But now you seek to kill me, a man who have spoken the truth to you, which I have heard of God. This Abraham did not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but now ye seek to kill me, a man who has spoken the truth to you, which I have heard fromGod: this did not Abraham.

Context

This verse applies the test introduced previously with concrete evidence of their intent. It clears the way for Jesus’ next assertion: “Ye do the works of your father,” prompting them to appeal to God as their Father. The dialogue is tightening, moving from Abrahamic claim to divine claim. Jesus will soon answer that if God were their Father, they would love Him, because He came from God. This escalation is necessary to reveal the precise nature of their opposition and to unmask their true spiritual father.

v.39They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

v.40This passage

v.41Ye do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 4:29

    But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted himthat was bornafter the Spirit, so also it is now.

  • Psalms 37:12

    The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

  • Psalms 37:32

    The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

  • Revelation 12:17

    And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus:

  • Romans 4:12

    and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.

  • John 8:56

    Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.

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