John 8:43
What does John 8:43 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:43 means
Jesus asks why they do not understand His speech and answers: because they cannot hear His word. The problem is not clarity of expression but inability rooted in spiritual condition. Their ears are closed, not by accident, but by allegiance to another master. Resistance to Jesus’ word reveals bondage. Understanding requires not only intellect but a heart opened to God. Their failure to grasp is willful and moral, not merely mental. Jesus exposes the tragic reality that without divine work, people cannot truly hear Him, even when He speaks plainly in the temple courts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Why are my words not clear to you? It is because your ears are shut to my teaching.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wherefore do ye not know my speech? because ye are not able to hear my word.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot hear my word.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Why do ye not know my speech? Because ye cannot hear my word.
Context
This verse bridges from their false claim of divine fatherhood to the unveiling of their true spiritual paternity. It diagnoses their inability to receive Jesus’ message, paving the way for the next, severe identification: they are of their father the devil. The argument has moved from external claims to internal capacities, showing that their deafness to God’s word matches the character of the one who opposes truth from the beginning. The next verse will describe that character in stark terms.
v.42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.
v.43This passage
v.44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heardthis, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
- Jeremiah 6:10
To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of Jehovah is become unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
- John 5:43
I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
- Micah 4:12
But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, neither understand they his counsel; for he hath gathered them as the sheaves to the threshing-floor.
- Romans 3:11
There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God;
- Proverbs 28:5
Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
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