John 8:54
What does John 8:54 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:54 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:54 means
Jesus replies that self-glory is worthless; it is His Father—whom they call their God—who glorifies Him. He locates His identity and honor in the Father’s will. This both answers their question and challenges their claim to know God: if they truly honored the Father, they would recognize the One He exalts. Jesus does not seize greatness; He receives it. His humility and dependence reveal true divinity—He mirrors the Father’s character. The statement undercuts their accusations and invites them to judge by the Father’s testimony rather than by their offended traditions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said in answer, If I take glory for myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father who gives me glory, of whom you say that he is your God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered, `If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who is glorifying me, of whom ye say that He is your God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is your God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father who glorifies me, [of] whom ye say, He is ourGod.
Context
This answer follows their challenge about whom He makes Himself to be. It reorients the issue from self-assertion to the Father’s glorification of the Son. The next verse will deepen the contrast by saying they have not known God, while Jesus knows Him and keeps His word. The flow continues to draw a line between their claims and reality, paving the way for the assertion that Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus’ day. The crescendo is building toward Jesus’ claim of timeless existence, which will force a decisive reaction.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey; Sofor mento search out their own glory is grievous.
- John 5:31
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
- Romans 2:17
But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God,
- 1 Peter 1:21
who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
- John 8:41
Ye do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
- 2 Peter 1:17
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased:
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