Devine Scripture

John 8:50

What does John 8:50 mean?

A plain-English look at John 8:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 8:50 means

Jesus says He does not seek His own glory; there is One who seeks it and judges. He entrusts vindication to the Father. His mission is not self-promotion but faithful obedience. The Father will glorify the Son and render just verdicts. This assurance frees Jesus from defensive posturing; He can make audacious promises without grasping for acclaim. His humility stands in contrast to the honor-seeking of His opponents. The line also hints that rejecting Him invites the Judge’s scrutiny. Glory and judgment belong to God, who will exalt the Son and weigh all responses to Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I, however, am not in search of glory for myself: there is One who is searching for it and he is judge.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I do not seek my own glory; there is who is seeking and is judging;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I do not seek my own glory: there is he that seeks and judges.

Context

This statement follows His denial of demonic influence and His affirmation of honoring the Father. It prepares for the remarkable promise in the next verse that keeping His word prevents seeing death. The flow is significant: because Jesus seeks the Father’s glory and the Father judges rightly, His promise of life carries divine weight. The subsequent verses will show the opponents misinterpreting His claim, leading to further clarification about His relationship with the Father, Abraham, and death.

v.49Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me.

v.50This passage

v.51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.

Cross references

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

  • John 5:45

    Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, on whom ye have set your hope.

  • John 5:41

    I receive not glory from men.

  • John 8:54

    Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God;

  • John 5:20

    For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel.

  • John 12:47

    And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

  • John 7:18

    He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

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