26I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”
27They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father.28Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.29He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”
27 They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father.
28 Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.
29 He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
TYNDALETyndale New Testament (1534)
26 They understode not that he spake of his father.
27 Then sayde Iesus vnto them: when ye have lyft vp an hye the sonne of man then shall ye knowe that I am he and that I do nothinge of my selfe: but as my father hath taught me even so I speake:
28 and he that sent me is with me. The father hath not lefte me alone for I do alwayes those thinges that please him.
29 As he spake these wordes many beleved on him.
Show all 3 translations
GNVGeneva Bible (1599)
26 I haue many things to say, and to iudge of you: but he that sent me, is true, and the things that I haue heard of him, those speake I to the world.
27 They vnderstoode not that hee spake to them of the Father.
28 Then said Iesus vnto them, When ye haue lift vp the Sonne of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I doe nothing of my selfe, but as my Father hath taught me, so I speake these things.
29 For he that sent me, is with me: the Father hath not left me alone, because I do alwayes those things that please him.
John 6:38(vv28–29)For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.
John 5:19(v28)Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For…
John 5:30(vv28–29)I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father…
John 16:32(v29)Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet…
John 4:34(v29)Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Show all 58 cross-references
John 15:10(v29)If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
Isaiah 42:1(v29)“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.
John 12:49-50(v28)For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. I know that…
John 8:16(v29)Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.
John 14:10-11(v29)Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who…
2 Timothy 4:17(v29)But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear.…
Isaiah 42:6(v29)“I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light…
John 3:14(v28)As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
John 14:31(v29)But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.
John 15:15(v26)No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I…
Isaiah 42:21(v29)It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable.
Isaiah 49:4-8(v29)But I said, “I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength in vain for nothing; yet surely the justice due to me is with Yahweh, and my…
Matthew 3:17(v29)Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 17:5(v29)While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved…
John 17:4(v29)I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
1 John 2:1(v29)My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ,…
Isaiah 50:4-9(v29)The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens…
John 8:40(v26)But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this.
John 12:47-50(v26)If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He who…
Hebrews 5:8-9(v29)though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey…
John 7:28(v26)Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know me, and know where I am from. I have not come of myself, but…
John 17:8(v26)for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you. They have…
Hebrews 4:15(v29)For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like…
Hebrews 10:5-10(v29)Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “You didn’t desire sacrifice and offering, but you prepared a body for me. You had no…
Isaiah 6:9(v27)He said, “Go, and tell this people, ‘You hear indeed, but don’t understand. You see indeed, but don’t perceive.’
John 3:32-33(v26)What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. He who has received his witness has set his seal to…
John 5:42-43(v26)But I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves. I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes…
John 7:16(v26)Jesus therefore answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
John 12:32-34(v28)And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.…
John 16:12(v26)“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.
2 Corinthians 1:18(v26)But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not “Yes and no.”
1 Thessalonians 2:15-16(v28)who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and don’t please God, and are contrary to all men, forbidding us…
Hebrews 5:11-12(v26)About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. For although by this time you should be…
Hebrews 7:26(v29)For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Isaiah 42:18-20(v27)“Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see. Who is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is…
Isaiah 59:10(v27)We grope for the wall like the blind. Yes, we grope as those who have no eyes. We stumble at noon as if it were twilight. Among those who…
Matthew 27:50-54(v28)Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.…
John 8:16-17(v26)Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. It’s also written in your law that the…
John 8:24(v28)I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”
John 8:43(v27)Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.
John 8:47(v27)He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”
John 9:39-41(v26)Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the…
John 11:42(v28)I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude standing around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”
John 16:10(v28)about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;
John 19:18(v28)where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.
Acts 2:41(v28)Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 4:4(v28)But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Romans 1:4(v28)who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our…
Romans 11:7-10(v27)What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened. According as it…
2 Corinthians 4:3-4(v27)Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying, in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the…
2 Timothy 4:22(v29)The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Hebrews 2:2-3(v28)For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we…
Numbers 16:28-30(v28)Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that Yahweh has sent me to do all these works; for they are not from my own mind. If these men die the…
58 distinct cross-references across this passage (60 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (23 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
John Calvin1540 · Public DomainOn vv26–2926. I have many things to say and judge…
26. I have many things to say and judge of you. Perceiving that he is in the position of one who sings to the deaf, he pursues his discourse no farther, but only declares that God will defend that doctrine, which they despise, because he is the Author of it. “If I wished to accuse you,” says he, “your malice and wickedness supply me with ample materials; but I leave you for the present. But my Father, who committed to me the office of a teacher, will not fail to fulfill his promise; for he will always vindicate his word against the wicked and sacrilegious contempt of men.” This saying of Christ is of the same import with that of Paul,
If we deny him, he remaineth faithful, he cannot deny himself, (2 Timothy 2:13.)
Read full note →
In short, he threatens the judgment of God against unbelievers, who refuse to give credit to his word; and he does so on this ground, that God must inevitably defend his truth. Now this is the true firmness of faith, when we believe that God is alone sufficient to establish the authority of his doctrine, though the world should reject it. All who, relying on this doctrine, serve Christ faithfully, may fearlessly accuse the whole world of falsehood.
And I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him. He says that he utters nothing which he has not received from the Father; and this is the only confirmation of a doctrine, when the minister shows that what he speaks has proceeded from the Father. Now we know that Christ sustained, at that time, the office of a minister; and, therefore, we need not wonder, if he demands that men listen to him, because he brings to them the commandments of God. Besides, by his example he lays down a general law for the whole Church, that no man ought to be heard, unless he speak from the mouth of God. But while he lays low the wicked arrogance of those men who take upon themselves to speak without the word of God, faithful teachers, who know well the nature of their calling, are fortified and armed by him with unshaken firmness, that, under the guidance of God, they may boldly bid defiance to all mortals.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv26–27God is the revenger of Christ’s doctrine despised.
God is the revenger of Christ’s doctrine despised.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv26–2926 I have many things to say and to…
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
Ver. 26. I have many things to say] But I see I do but lose my sweet words upon you. I shall therefore turn you over to my Father with a non convertentur, not turn over that he may take an order with you, and make you hear the rod, since you would not the word, Mic 6:9. Those that tremble not in hearing shall be ground to pieces in feeling, said blessed Bradford.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv26–29Judging is not put here for judicial condemnation; but…
Judging is not put here for judicial condemnation; but for reproving and accusing, which is one part of judging. You accuse and reprove me; I have many things of which I could also accuse and convince you; but let me say what I will, you will not believe me. But you will not escape the judgment of my Father, who is true, he will judge you. I speak unto men nothing but what it is his will that I should declare to them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt1703 · Public DomainOn v29That is, he that sent and commissioned me for…
That is, he that sent and commissioned me for the great work of redemption, he is continually with me, both to assist and to accept me, I doing every thing that is agreeable to his holy will and pleasure.
Hence learn, 1. That the work of redemption in the hands of Jesus Christ, was a work well-pleasing to God the Father; the work itself was highly pleasing to him; and Christ’s way of managing it was well-pleasing also.
Read full note →
2. That the reason why it was thus well-pleasing to God, was, because he acted in a constant conformity to his Father’s will, kept to his Father’s commission, and executed his Father’s commands, doing always those things that pleaseth him.
Learn, 3. That as the Father and Christ were inseparable in respect of the unity of the divine essence; so the Father was always with Christ as Mediator, both to support and uphold him, to accept and reward him. The Father hath not left me alone, either in the doing of his will, or in the suffering of his pleasure.
Learn, 4. That those who desire the gracious and special presence of God with them in all conditions, particularly in times of sufferings and trouble; they must make it their care and study to please God, and to observe his will in all things: then God will be with them in his guiding presence, in his strengthening presence, in his comforting, in his quickening, in his sanctifying, sympathizing, and accepting, presence.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv26–29And he that sent me is with me,.... By…
And he that sent me is with me,.... By virtue of that near union there is between them, they being one in nature, essence, power, and glory, and by the gracious, powerful, comfortable, assisting, and strengthening presence of his Father, which he vouchsafed to him as man, and Mediator;
the Father hath not left me alone; Christ, as the word, was with the Father from all eternity, and, as the Son of God, was in heaven, and in the bosom of the Father, when he, as the son of man, was here on earth; for though he came forth from the Father into this world, by assumption of the human nature, yet the Father was always with him, and he with the Father, through the unity of the divine nature; nor did he withhold his supporting and assisting presence from him as man; nor did he withdraw, at least he had not yet withdrawn his gracious and comfortable presence from him, though he afterwards did, when upon the cross: compare with this Joh 16:32;
Read full note →
for I do always those things that please him; by submitting to Gospel ordinances, as to baptism, at which the Father declared his well pleasedness in him; and by complying with the ordinances of the ceremonial law, which were typical of him; and by perfectly obeying the precepts of the moral law, and bearing the penalty of it; or by suffering and dying in the room and stead of his people; all which were the will of God, and well pleasing to him.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv26–29I have many things to say and to judge…
I have many things to say and to judge of you - I have much to say concerning your inexcusable unbelief: but he that sent me is true - Whether ye believe or no. And I speak the things which I have heard from him - I deliver truly what he hath given me in charge.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv26, 28, 29Verse 26. I have many things to say and…
Verse 26. I have many things to say and to judge of you] Or, to speak and to condemn, c. I could speedily expose all your iniquities-your pride and ambition, your hypocrisy and irreligion, your hatred to the light, and your malice against the truth, together with the present obstinate unbelief of your hearts, and show that these are the reasons why I say you will die in your sins but these will appear in their true light: when, after you have crucified me, the judgments of God shall descend upon and consume you.
He that sent me is true] Whatever he hath spoken of you by the prophets shall surely come to pass; his word cannot fail.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn v28Joh 8:28-29. Then said Jesus, When ye have lifted…
Joh 8:28-29. Then said Jesus, When ye have lifted up the Son of man — From the earth on the cross; and have proceeded so far as to put him to a violent death, then, instead of seeing his cause and interest overborne by that outrageous attempt, shall ye know — By some new and convincing tokens; that I am he — This, doubtless, refers to the prodigies attending his death, his resurrection, and ascension, the effusion of the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, the amazing miracles wrought by the apostles in his name, and the wonderful success which he should give to the gospel through their ministry; and that I do nothing of myself — Nothing by my own authority, separate from that of my Father; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak — I teach such doctrines only as he has commissioned me to declare; and he that sent me is with me — Besides, my Father is always with me to bear his testimony to the truth of what I say, and to support and vindicate me. The Father hath not left me alone — Never from the moment I came into the world, nor will he ever leave me; for I do always those things that please him — I always act agreeably to his will, and faithfully and constantly pursue the important work which he has committed to my trust.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv26–29I have many things to say - There are…
I have many things to say - There are many things which I might say to reprove and expose your pride and hypocrisy. By this he implied that he understood well their character, and that he was able to expose it. This, indeed, he had shown them in his conversations with them.
And to judge of you - To reprove in you. There are many things in you which I might condemn.
Read full note →
But he that sent we is true - Is worthy to be believed, and his declarations about men are to be credited. The meaning of this verse may be thus expressed: “I have indeed many things to say blaming or condemning you. I have already said many such things, and there are many more that I might say; but I speak only those things which God has commanded. I speak not of myself I come to execute his commission, and he is worthy to be heard and feared. Let it not be thought, therefore, that my judgment is rash or harsh. It is such as is commanded by God.”
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn vv26–28And the things I have heard from him, &c.…
And the things I have heard from him, &c. For Christ, to hear from his Father, to see, &c. is the same as to proceed from him, to be of the same nature and substance. See chap. v, ver. 19. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown1871 · Public DomainOn vv26, 28, 29I have many things to say and to judge…
I have many things to say and to judge of you; but he that sent me is true, &c.--that is, I could, and at the fitting time, will say and judge many things of you (referring perhaps to the work of the Spirit which is for judgment as well as salvation, Joh 16:8), but what I do say is just the message My Father hath given Me to deliver.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv26–2926. Many things to say—Many a lesson would it…
26. Many things to say—Many a lesson would it require to correct the selfish feelings and expectations so deeply fixed in their hearts, in order to the appreciating and accepting the holy Son of God.
Judge of you—To condemn and banish from your minds.
Read full note →
He that sent me—By this he Jesus plainly means, as they might have known from previous explanations, his Father; but they are conjuring up hopes that some one else is meant.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv26–2926. Here again we have a series of simple…
26. Here again we have a series of simple sentences, the precise meaning of which and their connexion with one another cannot be determined with certainty. See on Joh_7:33. The following seems to be the drift of the verse: ‘I have very much to speak concerning you, very much to blame. But I keep to My immediate task of speaking to the world those truths which before the world was I heard from God that cannot lie, Who sent Me:’ i.e. Christ will not desist from teaching Divine truth in order to blame the Jews. It is as the Truth and the Light that He appears in these discourses.
which I have heard of him] Better, what I heard from Him, these things I speak unto the world, i.e. precisely these and nothing else. Comp. Joh_8:39.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv26–29(26) I have many things to say and to…
(26) I have many things to say and to judge of you.—The order of thought here is not certain, and will depend, in part, upon the interpretation we give to the previous verse. These words seem to arise from their judgment of Him as expressed in their scornful question, “Who art thou?” He has, indeed, immediately before (Joh_8:23), spoken of them. He is about in this discourse to do so again. There are present to His mind now many things to say of them, and these, if said, would be in words of condemnation; but He refrains. There is present to His mind also the great work He had to do—to speak to the world the eternal truth of God.
But he that sent me is true.—The words express a marked contrast to the words and thoughts with which He would come in contact, if He said and judged concerning them. They refer to the calm repose of the divine life in heaven, as contrasted with the misunderstandings and objections with which the manifestation of that life on earth had been encompassed. He turns from them to the thought of Him who sent Him, and who is true.
Read full note →
And I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.—Better, I speak unto the world the things which I heard from Him. It is the truth brought into and announced in the world, and which was heard during the pre-incarnate life with the Father. (Comp. Joh_8:28; Joh_8:38.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv26–29I have many things to speak and to judge…
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. Hitherto, when the Lord uttered his great words of self-revelation, which always had an ethical end and were meant for the advantage of his hearers, they interrupted his speech and disputed his claims. They refused these testimonies to himself which, if true, would necessitate their instantaneous submission. He seems to have gathered all his self-witness together in the word, "I am," verify altogether, absolutely, from the beginning onwards, just what my words convey; but I have much more to say concerning you, even if I should have nothing more to say concerning myself. The testimonies and the judgments may be profoundly distasteful to you, but I dare not therefore withhold them. I am come to deliver them at any cost to myself or you. But he that sent me is true, whether you hear or forbear; and I am his Mouthpiece, so the truth has to be told. The thought of God, if we can only approach it, is the absolute truth about every thing and about every man. Jesus is the Word of God incarnate, and the Utterer of irreversible judgment. The things which I heard from him, these speak I into the world. Eiv tosmon , is a remarkable expression. "Speak into, so that the words may reach as far as and spread through the world" (Westcott). The expression seems to have left him above or outside the world, so that he appears as "the Mediator between two worlds.
Vers. 26-29. A still clearer revelation in store for them.
Read full note →
I JESUS HAS A STILL FULLER REVELATION TO GIVE THEM OF THEIR MORAL CONDITION. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you.
1. His judgment is true. "But he that sent me is true." He only declares the judgment of his Father concerning their actions.
2. The Jews could not recognize the Divine origin of this judgment. "They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
II HIS CRUCIFIXION WOULD MAKE MANY THINGS CLEAR TO THEIR MINDS. "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself." That dreadful event would reveal the secrets of many hearts.
1. He recognizes the Jews as the future instruments of his crucifixion. Verily it was "with wicked hands" they slew him. (Act_2:23)
2. Though he was to be crucified in weakness, yet he was to live by the power of God.
3. His death was the gateway to his ascension glory.
4. His death would establish the absolute unity of purpose and action that existed between himself and his lather.
5. The effect of the Sons obedience to his Fathers will. "The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." The Father"s presence is not accounted for merely by the Son"s active and perfect obedience, but is the spring and principle of it.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn v28When ye have lifted up the Son of Man.
Joh_8:28-29
When ye have lifted up the Son of Man.
Read full note →
--As instruments they would lift Him to the cross; as a result He would ascend to His throne. (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.)
Christ forecasting His death and destiny
Christs language here
I. REVEALS HIS SUBLIME HEROISM IN THE PROSPECT OF A TERRIBLE DEATH. When ye have lifted up, an expression more than once used to signify His crucifixion. This was
1. The culmination of human wickedness. This could reach no higher point than the putting to death of the Son of God.
2. The culmination of human suffering. Crucifixion involved ignominy, insult, torture. Yet how calmly Christ speaks about it--He endured the
Cross and despised the shame. There was no faltering note, no complaint, no perturbation, dismay.
II. EXPRESSES HIS UNSHAKEN FAITH IN THE TRIUMPH OF HIS CAUSE. Then shall ye know, etc.
1. He was not discouraged by apparent failure. To the world His life ending in crucifixion would appear a stupendous failure: to Him it was a success. His death was as a seed falling into the earth.
2. He did not despair of mans improvability. He believed that there would come a reaction in mens minds concerning Him. When He was gone they would begin to think, recognize, and give Him credit for excellency, which they did not when He was amongst them.
3. He was not doubtful of ultimate success. He saw the day of Pentecost, the result of apostolic labours, the triumph of His truth through all successive ages, and at last His character moulding the race to His own ideal.
III. IMPLIES A PRINCIPLE OF CONDUCT COMMON IN ALL HISTORY: viz., that good men undervalued in life are appreciated when gone. We see this principle
1. In the family. Members may live together for years, and through infirmity of temper, clashing of tastes, collision of opinion, etc., excellencies may be entirely overlooked. One dies--father, mother, brother, sister--and then attributes of goodness come up in the memory that never appeared before.
2. In the State. Public men, devoted to the common good, and loyal to conscience, clash with popular opinions and prejudices and are bitterly denounced. They die, and their virtues emerge, and fill the social atmosphere with fragrance. Burke, Hume, and Cobden are examples of this.
3. In the Church. A minister labours for years among a people--too thoughtful to be appreciated by the thoughtless, too honest to bow to current prejudices--so that his work passes unacknowledged and unrequited. He dies, and has a moral epiphany. It was so with Arnold and Robertson.
IV. INDICATES A CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS PECULIAR RELATION TO THE ETERNAL FATHER. As my Father hath taught me, etc. (Joh_8:29).
1. He was the Pupil of the Father.
2. He was the Companion of the Father.
3. He was the servant of the Father. I do always those things that please Him, though I displease you.
Conclusion:
1. This subject reveals the sublime uniqueness of Christ. Who, amongst all the millions of men that have appeared, could use such language as this? Who could forecast such a terrible future with such accuracy and composure? Who could proclaim such a Divine relationship? As our system has but one sun, our universe has but one Christ.
2. This subject suggests the Christ verifying force of human history. What Christ here predicts history has established. Through His crucifixion ever increasing multitudes have been convinced that He is the true Messiah. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
He that hath sent Me is with Me
1. Unity of essence.
2. Communion of spirit.
3. Consciousness of favour.
4. Present help.
5. One in eternal plans.
Jehovah was ever at His right hand in might, majesty, and love. To be with God is to have light without darkness, truth without falsehood, power without weakness, love without limit. The sunbeams spread their golden wings over us, and yet abide with the sun, from whence they flow. He who sent His Son into the world was so with Him, that He shared, so to speak, all the opprobrium and enmity with which His mission was met. In the same manner is Christ with His people. (Mat_25:40). (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.)
The exemplary life
I. LIFE COMMISSIONED BY GOD. Sent me. Christ was appointed by God to His Work (1Jn_4:14). Every life is a plan of God. Cunning workmen in building the Temple were inspired by Him. He sends to all kinds of lawful work. Lowly workers realize this, it will exalt and encourage you.
II. LIFE APPROVED OF GOD. Our Lords life and work were ever well pleasing to God. So may our life and work be if, by His help, we are diligent, faithful, unselfish, and do all as unto Him.
III. LIFE ACCOMPANIED BY GOD. Please God in your life and you will realize His gracious presence. His presence is an assurance of support in trial, victory in conflict, guidance, progress, etc. (W. Jones.)
The Father hath not left Me alone. Let us not think holiness in the hearts of men here in the world is a forlorn, forsaken, and outcast thing from God, that He hath no regard of. Holiness, wherever it is, though never so small, if it be but hearty and sincere, it can no more be cut off and discontinued from God, than a sunbeam here upon earth can be broken off from its intercourse with the sun, and be left alone amidst the mire and dust of this world. The sun may as well discard its own rays, and banish them from itself, into some region of darkness, far remote from it, where they shall have no dependence at all upon it, as God can forsake and abandon holiness in the world, and leave it a poor orphan thing, that shall have no influence at all from Him to preserve and keep it. Holiness is something of God, wherever it is; it is an efflux from Him, that always hangs upon Him, and lives in Him, as the sunbeams, though they gild this lower world, and spread their golden wings over us, yet they are not so much here, where they shine, as in the sun, from whence they flow. God cannot draw a curtain betwixt Himself and holiness, which is nothing but the splendour and shining of Himself. He cannot hide His face from it; He cannot desert it, in the world (Mat_28:20; Act_9:4-5; 2Ti_4:17). (R. Cudworth.)
I do always those things which please Him.--Eternally, past, present, and future at all times, everywhere, in all ways, He requires from all, and teaches all those things which please God. Of whom but the eternal Son and Spirit can this be said? (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.)
The Christians motto
Observe Christ as
I. THE MEDIATOR. Our text is true of our Lord every way.
1. Of His incarnation we read, Lo, I come … I delight to do Thy will. He did the thing which pleased the Father during His obscure life as the carpenters Son. He was The holy child Jesus. At the end of His retirement the Father set His seal upon His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased at His baptism, when He fulfilled all righteousness, a type of the perfect obedience He intended to render. His temptation and victory were well pleasing to God, the token whereof was the ministration of angels. Throughout His life He fulfilled Isa_42:21. He magnified the ceremonial law by coming under it and observing it until the time when it passed away; and the moral law by such obedience as enabled Him to say, Which of you convinceth him of sin. Hence the same attestation at the Transfiguration as at the Baptism, and the answer to His prayer, Father, glorify Thy name. The miracles were tokens of the Fathers pleasure Act_2:22). In His death it pleased the Father to bruise Him. It pleased God that He should ascend, for He received gifts for men. God is pleased with His intercession, for it is all prevalent. It will please that He should come again; for all judgment is committed to His hands.
2. The saving works of Jesus are lovely in the Fathers eyes. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper, etc. I have no pleasure in the death, etc.
3. The benefits which Christ confers on the saints please the Father; for it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell, and it pleases Him when of His fulness we receive grace for grace.
II. THE MODEL. In taking Christ as our example
1. It implied that we ourselves are rendered pleasing to God. As long as a man is obnoxious to God, all he does is obnoxious. They that are in the flesh cannot please God.
2. Included in this is the avoiding all things that displease Him.
(1) Pride, whether of talent, self-righteousness, wealth, dress, rank. The Lord resisted the proud.
(5) Unbelief--doubts of His power and faithfulness.
(6) Murmuring.
3. It should be our intent and earnest design to please God. We shall not do this by accident; we must give our whole souls to it.
4. The text is positive and practical. Do.
(1) Christ was prayerful, and it cannot please the Father for His child not to speak to Him.
(2) Christ loved God and man.
(3) Christ pleased not Himself, and to please God we must deny ourselves.
(4) Christ was separate from sinners, and we must not be conformed to the world.
(5) To please God note Psa_69:30, and Heb_13:16, and learn to cultivate a thankful spirit; note-- 1Jn_3:22, and Heb_11:5-6. and believe; note Col_1:10, and learn that resignation is pleasing to God.
5. These things must be actually done. I do. It will not suffice to talk or pray about them or to be charmed with them.
6. Always. At home as husband or wife, etc.; at business as master or servant. There must not be at any moment anything that we should not like God to see, nor be where we should not like Christ to find us.
7. By doing the things that please God.
(1) We shall enjoy and retain the presence of the Father, not otherwise.
(2) We shall be girded with strength; otherwise we shall be impotent.
(3) The Lord will be with us in our work.
Conclusion:
1. Is this too high a model? Would you prefer an example that would let you be contented with a measure of sin? Do you think it an impossible ideal? But what about the promised help of the Spirit?
2. Have you failed? Then grieve over it, and try again. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
We must please God always
It will not suffice to say I do the things which please God when I go out to worship. The Christian must aim to say I do always. I have known some persons take a holiday from Christs service sometimes. They say Once a year surely one may indulge. If holiness is slavery then surely you are the slave of sin. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Conduct insisted by love
A child had a beautiful canary, which sang to him from early morning. The mother of the child was ill--so ill that the song of the little bird, which to the boy was delicious music, disturbed and distressed her so that she could scarcely bear to hear it. He put it in a room far away, but the birds notes reached the sick bed, and caused pain to her in her long, feverish days. One morning, as the child stood holding his mothers hand, he saw that when his pet sang, an expression of pain passed over her dear face. She had never yet told him that she could not bear the noise, but she did so now. It is no music to me, she said, as he asked her if the notes were not pretty. He looked at her in wonder. And do you really dislike the sound? Indeed I do, she said. The child, full of love to his mother, left the room. The golden feathers of the pretty canary were glistening in the sunshine, and he was trilling forth his loveliest notes; but they had ceased to please the boy. They were no longer pretty or soothing to him, and taking the cage in his hand he left the house. When he returned he told his mother that the bird would disturb her rest no more, for he had given it to his little cousin. But you loved it so, she said; how could you part with the canary? I loved the canary, mother, he replied; but I love you more. I could not really love anything that gave you pain. It would not be true love if I did. (Quiver.)
As He spake these words many believed on Him
The force of truth
A woman in Scotland, who was determined, as far as possible, not to have anything to do with religion, threw her Bible and all the tracts she could find in her house into the fire. One of the tracts fell down out of the flames, so she picked it up and thrust it in again. A second time it slipped down, and once more she put it back. Again her evil intention was frustrated, but the next time she was more successful, though, even then only half of it was consumed. Taking up the portion that fell out of the fire, she exclaimed, Surely the devil is in that tract, for it wont burn. Her curiosity was excited; she began to read it, and it was the means of her conversion. It was one of my sermons. Verily that sermon, and the woman too, were saved, yet so as by fire. What wondrous ways the Lord has of bringing home the truth! (C. H. Spurgeon.)
A word in season
Lady Huntingdon once spoke to a workman who was repairing a garden wall, and pressed him to thoughtfulness on the state of his soul. Some years afterwards, she was speaking to another man on the same subject, and said, Thomas, I fear you never pray, nor look to Jesus Christ for salvation. Your ladyship is mistaken, answered the man; I heard what passed between you and James at such a time, and the word you designed for him took effect on me. How did you hear it? I heard it on the other side of the garden, through a hole in the wall, and shall never forget the impression I received.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson1891 · Public DomainOn vv28–2928. When ye have lifted up the Son of…
28. When ye have lifted up the Son of man. Lifted him up on the cross. His “lifting up” would be the means of breaking down unbelief. We can see how this was verified. In fifty days after he was lifted up three thousand believed in a single day, and the work of faith went on until the civilized world acknowledged him as King.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
William B. Godbey1900 · Public DomainOn v28Joh 8:28-29. “Then Jesus said, When you may lift…
THE CRUCIFIXION
Joh 8:28-29. “Then Jesus said, When you may lift up the Son of man, then you shall know that I am He; and I do nothing of Myself; but as the Father taught Me, these things I speak.” In that memorable sermon to Nicodemus, in the beginning of His ministry, in His reference to Moses lifting up the serpent, our Lord assures us by what death He is going to die. Here He repeats the affirmation. This was quite a new departure, as the Jews had no such a punishment, it being peculiarly Roman. Hence, His death by the hands of the Gentiles, by the most cruel of all methods, He predicts ever and anon. When His ministry thus wound up, it was too late for those hard-hearted, unbelieving Jews, as doubtless the Holy Spirit withdrew, leaving them to their dreadful doom; meanwhile, the darkening sun, rending rocks, heaving earthquakes, bursting tombs, risen saints, rending veil, descending angels, empty sepulcher, etc., would inundate them with conviction that they had actually killed the Prince of light, not a few of them repenting and getting saved during the Pentecostal revival, but vast multitudes only the more hardened, evidently having crossed the dead- line, and sealed their doom in endless woe. “The One having sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do those things pleasing unto Him.” Jesus is our only Paragon. Such is the bountiful redeeming grace which He gives His humble followers, that we are enabled always to do those things pleasing to the Father, thus walking in His footprints and emulating His example.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield1917 · Public DomainOn vv26, 28kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Mat 4:8").
world
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Mat 4:8").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann1924 · Public DomainOn v28The distinguishing sign:
The distinguishing sign:
v. 28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.
Read full note →
v. 29. And He that sent Me is with Me; the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.
v. 30. As He spake these words, many believed on Him.
In spite of all the enmity and the lack of understanding, the Lord continues to proclaim His message concerning Himself and His office in the world. He points forward to the great culmination of His labors in the world. The time would come that they would raise up the Son of Man, nail Him to the cross. Through this death He would enter into the glory of His Father. This fact would become a distinguishing mark. He that believes on the crucified Christ has the necessary spiritual understanding of the Gospel and its meaning. They that reject the crucified Christ will find that He will become their Judge. To them He will be revealed in the majesty of His divine power, and they will understand when it is too late that He did nothing in His labors on earth on His own initiative, by arrogant presumption, but that He had spoken only what the Father had taught Him to say. For the union between the two persons of the Godhead is so intimate that all their great undertakings for the salvation of mankind are done together. For although He has been sent out by the Father, yet the Father is with Him; there is a distinction of persons, but one divine essence. He is true to the purpose of the Father, to the divine will for the salvation of the world; and therefore His conduct pleases the Father at all times, there is perfect sympathy and correspondence between them. Now finally some of the divine truths penetrated into the hearts and minds of some of the hearers, and many were won for Christ. His Word, whenever and wherever it is preached, will always have some effect and success, on account of its inherent power.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v28When you have lifted up
When you have lifted up
This refers to placing Jesus on the cross to kill him.
Read full note →
Son of Man
Jesus used the title "Son of Man" to refer to himself.
I AM
As God the Son, Jesus knows God the Father unlike anyone else. Possible meanings are 1) Jesus was identifying himself as Yahweh by saying, "I am God" or 2) Jesus was saying, "I am the one I claim to be."
As the Father taught me, I speak these things
"I am only saying what my Father taught me to say." The word "Father" is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)
Tyndale Open Study Notes2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v288:28 The synoptic Gospels describe Jesus as predicting his…
8:28 The synoptic Gospels describe Jesus as predicting his death three times (e.g., Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34). John parallels this (John 3:14; 8:28; 12:33-34), showing that the Father governs his Son’s fate.
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv26–29 26. I have many things to say and judge…
26. I have many things to say and judge of you. Perceiving that he is in the position of one who sings to the deaf, he pursues his discourse no farther, but only declares that God will defend that doctrine, which they despise, because he is the Author of it. “If I wished to accuse you,” says he, “your malice and wickedness supply me with ample materials; but I leave you for the present. But my Father, who committed to me the office of a teacher, will not fail to fulfill his promise; for he will always vindicate his word against the wicked and sacrilegious contempt of men.” This saying of Christ is of the same import with that of Paul,
If we deny him, he remaineth faithful, he cannot deny himself, (2 Timothy 2:13.)
Read full note →
In short, he threatens the judgment of God against unbelievers, who refuse to give credit to his word; and he does so on this ground, that God must inevitably defend his truth. Now this is the true firmness of faith, when we believe that God is alone sufficient to establish the authority of his doctrine, though the world should reject it. All who, relying on this doctrine, serve Christ faithfully, may fearlessly accuse the whole world of falsehood.
And I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him. He says that he utters nothing which he has not received from the Father; and this is the only confirmation of a doctrine, when the minister shows that what he speaks has proceeded from the Father. Now we know that Christ sustained, at that time, the office of a minister; and, therefore, we need not wonder, if he demands that men listen to him, because he brings to them the commandments of God. Besides, by his example he lays down a general law for the whole Church, that no man ought to be heard, unless he speak from the mouth of God. But while he lays low the wicked arrogance of those men who take upon themselves to speak without the word of God, faithful teachers, who know well the nature of their calling, are fortified and armed by him with unshaken firmness, that, under the guidance of God, they may boldly bid defiance to all mortals.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv26–27 God is the revenger of Christ’s doctrine despised.
God is the revenger of Christ’s doctrine despised.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv26–29 26 I have many things to say and to…
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
Ver. 26. I have many things to say] But I see I do but lose my sweet words upon you. I shall therefore turn you over to my Father with a non convertentur, not turn over that he may take an order with you, and make you hear the rod, since you would not the word, Mic 6:9. Those that tremble not in hearing shall be ground to pieces in feeling, said blessed Bradford.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv26–29 Judging is not put here for judicial condemnation; but…
Judging is not put here for judicial condemnation; but for reproving and accusing, which is one part of judging. You accuse and reprove me; I have many things of which I could also accuse and convince you; but let me say what I will, you will not believe me. But you will not escape the judgment of my Father, who is true, he will judge you. I speak unto men nothing but what it is his will that I should declare to them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v29 That is, he that sent and commissioned me for…
That is, he that sent and commissioned me for the great work of redemption, he is continually with me, both to assist and to accept me, I doing every thing that is agreeable to his holy will and pleasure.
Hence learn, 1. That the work of redemption in the hands of Jesus Christ, was a work well-pleasing to God the Father; the work itself was highly pleasing to him; and Christ’s way of managing it was well-pleasing also.
Read full note →
2. That the reason why it was thus well-pleasing to God, was, because he acted in a constant conformity to his Father’s will, kept to his Father’s commission, and executed his Father’s commands, doing always those things that pleaseth him.
Learn, 3. That as the Father and Christ were inseparable in respect of the unity of the divine essence; so the Father was always with Christ as Mediator, both to support and uphold him, to accept and reward him. The Father hath not left me alone, either in the doing of his will, or in the suffering of his pleasure.
Learn, 4. That those who desire the gracious and special presence of God with them in all conditions, particularly in times of sufferings and trouble; they must make it their care and study to please God, and to observe his will in all things: then God will be with them in his guiding presence, in his strengthening presence, in his comforting, in his quickening, in his sanctifying, sympathizing, and accepting, presence.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv26–29 And he that sent me is with me,.... By…
And he that sent me is with me,.... By virtue of that near union there is between them, they being one in nature, essence, power, and glory, and by the gracious, powerful, comfortable, assisting, and strengthening presence of his Father, which he vouchsafed to him as man, and Mediator;
the Father hath not left me alone; Christ, as the word, was with the Father from all eternity, and, as the Son of God, was in heaven, and in the bosom of the Father, when he, as the son of man, was here on earth; for though he came forth from the Father into this world, by assumption of the human nature, yet the Father was always with him, and he with the Father, through the unity of the divine nature; nor did he withhold his supporting and assisting presence from him as man; nor did he withdraw, at least he had not yet withdrawn his gracious and comfortable presence from him, though he afterwards did, when upon the cross: compare with this Joh 16:32;
Read full note →
for I do always those things that please him; by submitting to Gospel ordinances, as to baptism, at which the Father declared his well pleasedness in him; and by complying with the ordinances of the ceremonial law, which were typical of him; and by perfectly obeying the precepts of the moral law, and bearing the penalty of it; or by suffering and dying in the room and stead of his people; all which were the will of God, and well pleasing to him.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv26–29 I have many things to say and to judge…
I have many things to say and to judge of you - I have much to say concerning your inexcusable unbelief: but he that sent me is true - Whether ye believe or no. And I speak the things which I have heard from him - I deliver truly what he hath given me in charge.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv26, 28, 29 Verse 26. I have many things to say and…
Verse 26. I have many things to say and to judge of you] Or, to speak and to condemn, c. I could speedily expose all your iniquities-your pride and ambition, your hypocrisy and irreligion, your hatred to the light, and your malice against the truth, together with the present obstinate unbelief of your hearts, and show that these are the reasons why I say you will die in your sins but these will appear in their true light: when, after you have crucified me, the judgments of God shall descend upon and consume you.
He that sent me is true] Whatever he hath spoken of you by the prophets shall surely come to pass; his word cannot fail.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v28 Joh 8:28-29. Then said Jesus, When ye have lifted…
Joh 8:28-29. Then said Jesus, When ye have lifted up the Son of man — From the earth on the cross; and have proceeded so far as to put him to a violent death, then, instead of seeing his cause and interest overborne by that outrageous attempt, shall ye know — By some new and convincing tokens; that I am he — This, doubtless, refers to the prodigies attending his death, his resurrection, and ascension, the effusion of the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, the amazing miracles wrought by the apostles in his name, and the wonderful success which he should give to the gospel through their ministry; and that I do nothing of myself — Nothing by my own authority, separate from that of my Father; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak — I teach such doctrines only as he has commissioned me to declare; and he that sent me is with me — Besides, my Father is always with me to bear his testimony to the truth of what I say, and to support and vindicate me. The Father hath not left me alone — Never from the moment I came into the world, nor will he ever leave me; for I do always those things that please him — I always act agreeably to his will, and faithfully and constantly pursue the important work which he has committed to my trust.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv26–29 I have many things to say - There are…
I have many things to say - There are many things which I might say to reprove and expose your pride and hypocrisy. By this he implied that he understood well their character, and that he was able to expose it. This, indeed, he had shown them in his conversations with them.
And to judge of you - To reprove in you. There are many things in you which I might condemn.
Read full note →
But he that sent we is true - Is worthy to be believed, and his declarations about men are to be credited. The meaning of this verse may be thus expressed: “I have indeed many things to say blaming or condemning you. I have already said many such things, and there are many more that I might say; but I speak only those things which God has commanded. I speak not of myself I come to execute his commission, and he is worthy to be heard and feared. Let it not be thought, therefore, that my judgment is rash or harsh. It is such as is commanded by God.”
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv26–28 And the things I have heard from him, &c.…
And the things I have heard from him, &c. For Christ, to hear from his Father, to see, &c. is the same as to proceed from him, to be of the same nature and substance. See chap. v, ver. 19. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv26, 28, 29 I have many things to say and to judge…
I have many things to say and to judge of you; but he that sent me is true, &c.--that is, I could, and at the fitting time, will say and judge many things of you (referring perhaps to the work of the Spirit which is for judgment as well as salvation, Joh 16:8), but what I do say is just the message My Father hath given Me to deliver.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv26–29 26. Many things to say—Many a lesson would it…
26. Many things to say—Many a lesson would it require to correct the selfish feelings and expectations so deeply fixed in their hearts, in order to the appreciating and accepting the holy Son of God.
Judge of you—To condemn and banish from your minds.
Read full note →
He that sent me—By this he Jesus plainly means, as they might have known from previous explanations, his Father; but they are conjuring up hopes that some one else is meant.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv26–29 26. Here again we have a series of simple…
26. Here again we have a series of simple sentences, the precise meaning of which and their connexion with one another cannot be determined with certainty. See on Joh_7:33. The following seems to be the drift of the verse: ‘I have very much to speak concerning you, very much to blame. But I keep to My immediate task of speaking to the world those truths which before the world was I heard from God that cannot lie, Who sent Me:’ i.e. Christ will not desist from teaching Divine truth in order to blame the Jews. It is as the Truth and the Light that He appears in these discourses.
which I have heard of him] Better, what I heard from Him, these things I speak unto the world, i.e. precisely these and nothing else. Comp. Joh_8:39.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv26–29 (26) I have many things to say and to…
(26) I have many things to say and to judge of you.—The order of thought here is not certain, and will depend, in part, upon the interpretation we give to the previous verse. These words seem to arise from their judgment of Him as expressed in their scornful question, “Who art thou?” He has, indeed, immediately before (Joh_8:23), spoken of them. He is about in this discourse to do so again. There are present to His mind now many things to say of them, and these, if said, would be in words of condemnation; but He refrains. There is present to His mind also the great work He had to do—to speak to the world the eternal truth of God.
But he that sent me is true.—The words express a marked contrast to the words and thoughts with which He would come in contact, if He said and judged concerning them. They refer to the calm repose of the divine life in heaven, as contrasted with the misunderstandings and objections with which the manifestation of that life on earth had been encompassed. He turns from them to the thought of Him who sent Him, and who is true.
Read full note →
And I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.—Better, I speak unto the world the things which I heard from Him. It is the truth brought into and announced in the world, and which was heard during the pre-incarnate life with the Father. (Comp. Joh_8:28; Joh_8:38.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv26–29 I have many things to speak and to judge…
I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. Hitherto, when the Lord uttered his great words of self-revelation, which always had an ethical end and were meant for the advantage of his hearers, they interrupted his speech and disputed his claims. They refused these testimonies to himself which, if true, would necessitate their instantaneous submission. He seems to have gathered all his self-witness together in the word, "I am," verify altogether, absolutely, from the beginning onwards, just what my words convey; but I have much more to say concerning you, even if I should have nothing more to say concerning myself. The testimonies and the judgments may be profoundly distasteful to you, but I dare not therefore withhold them. I am come to deliver them at any cost to myself or you. But he that sent me is true, whether you hear or forbear; and I am his Mouthpiece, so the truth has to be told. The thought of God, if we can only approach it, is the absolute truth about every thing and about every man. Jesus is the Word of God incarnate, and the Utterer of irreversible judgment. The things which I heard from him, these speak I into the world. Eiv tosmon , is a remarkable expression. "Speak into, so that the words may reach as far as and spread through the world" (Westcott). The expression seems to have left him above or outside the world, so that he appears as "the Mediator between two worlds.
Vers. 26-29. A still clearer revelation in store for them.
Read full note →
I JESUS HAS A STILL FULLER REVELATION TO GIVE THEM OF THEIR MORAL CONDITION. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you.
1. His judgment is true. "But he that sent me is true." He only declares the judgment of his Father concerning their actions.
2. The Jews could not recognize the Divine origin of this judgment. "They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
II HIS CRUCIFIXION WOULD MAKE MANY THINGS CLEAR TO THEIR MINDS. "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself." That dreadful event would reveal the secrets of many hearts.
1. He recognizes the Jews as the future instruments of his crucifixion. Verily it was "with wicked hands" they slew him. (Act_2:23)
2. Though he was to be crucified in weakness, yet he was to live by the power of God.
3. His death was the gateway to his ascension glory.
4. His death would establish the absolute unity of purpose and action that existed between himself and his lather.
5. The effect of the Sons obedience to his Fathers will. "The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." The Father"s presence is not accounted for merely by the Son"s active and perfect obedience, but is the spring and principle of it.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v28 When ye have lifted up the Son of Man.
Joh_8:28-29
When ye have lifted up the Son of Man.
Read full note →
--As instruments they would lift Him to the cross; as a result He would ascend to His throne. (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.)
Christ forecasting His death and destiny
Christs language here
I. REVEALS HIS SUBLIME HEROISM IN THE PROSPECT OF A TERRIBLE DEATH. When ye have lifted up, an expression more than once used to signify His crucifixion. This was
1. The culmination of human wickedness. This could reach no higher point than the putting to death of the Son of God.
2. The culmination of human suffering. Crucifixion involved ignominy, insult, torture. Yet how calmly Christ speaks about it--He endured the
Cross and despised the shame. There was no faltering note, no complaint, no perturbation, dismay.
II. EXPRESSES HIS UNSHAKEN FAITH IN THE TRIUMPH OF HIS CAUSE. Then shall ye know, etc.
1. He was not discouraged by apparent failure. To the world His life ending in crucifixion would appear a stupendous failure: to Him it was a success. His death was as a seed falling into the earth.
2. He did not despair of mans improvability. He believed that there would come a reaction in mens minds concerning Him. When He was gone they would begin to think, recognize, and give Him credit for excellency, which they did not when He was amongst them.
3. He was not doubtful of ultimate success. He saw the day of Pentecost, the result of apostolic labours, the triumph of His truth through all successive ages, and at last His character moulding the race to His own ideal.
III. IMPLIES A PRINCIPLE OF CONDUCT COMMON IN ALL HISTORY: viz., that good men undervalued in life are appreciated when gone. We see this principle
1. In the family. Members may live together for years, and through infirmity of temper, clashing of tastes, collision of opinion, etc., excellencies may be entirely overlooked. One dies--father, mother, brother, sister--and then attributes of goodness come up in the memory that never appeared before.
2. In the State. Public men, devoted to the common good, and loyal to conscience, clash with popular opinions and prejudices and are bitterly denounced. They die, and their virtues emerge, and fill the social atmosphere with fragrance. Burke, Hume, and Cobden are examples of this.
3. In the Church. A minister labours for years among a people--too thoughtful to be appreciated by the thoughtless, too honest to bow to current prejudices--so that his work passes unacknowledged and unrequited. He dies, and has a moral epiphany. It was so with Arnold and Robertson.
IV. INDICATES A CONSCIOUSNESS OF HIS PECULIAR RELATION TO THE ETERNAL FATHER. As my Father hath taught me, etc. (Joh_8:29).
1. He was the Pupil of the Father.
2. He was the Companion of the Father.
3. He was the servant of the Father. I do always those things that please Him, though I displease you.
Conclusion:
1. This subject reveals the sublime uniqueness of Christ. Who, amongst all the millions of men that have appeared, could use such language as this? Who could forecast such a terrible future with such accuracy and composure? Who could proclaim such a Divine relationship? As our system has but one sun, our universe has but one Christ.
2. This subject suggests the Christ verifying force of human history. What Christ here predicts history has established. Through His crucifixion ever increasing multitudes have been convinced that He is the true Messiah. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
He that hath sent Me is with Me
1. Unity of essence.
2. Communion of spirit.
3. Consciousness of favour.
4. Present help.
5. One in eternal plans.
Jehovah was ever at His right hand in might, majesty, and love. To be with God is to have light without darkness, truth without falsehood, power without weakness, love without limit. The sunbeams spread their golden wings over us, and yet abide with the sun, from whence they flow. He who sent His Son into the world was so with Him, that He shared, so to speak, all the opprobrium and enmity with which His mission was met. In the same manner is Christ with His people. (Mat_25:40). (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.)
The exemplary life
I. LIFE COMMISSIONED BY GOD. Sent me. Christ was appointed by God to His Work (1Jn_4:14). Every life is a plan of God. Cunning workmen in building the Temple were inspired by Him. He sends to all kinds of lawful work. Lowly workers realize this, it will exalt and encourage you.
II. LIFE APPROVED OF GOD. Our Lords life and work were ever well pleasing to God. So may our life and work be if, by His help, we are diligent, faithful, unselfish, and do all as unto Him.
III. LIFE ACCOMPANIED BY GOD. Please God in your life and you will realize His gracious presence. His presence is an assurance of support in trial, victory in conflict, guidance, progress, etc. (W. Jones.)
The Father hath not left Me alone. Let us not think holiness in the hearts of men here in the world is a forlorn, forsaken, and outcast thing from God, that He hath no regard of. Holiness, wherever it is, though never so small, if it be but hearty and sincere, it can no more be cut off and discontinued from God, than a sunbeam here upon earth can be broken off from its intercourse with the sun, and be left alone amidst the mire and dust of this world. The sun may as well discard its own rays, and banish them from itself, into some region of darkness, far remote from it, where they shall have no dependence at all upon it, as God can forsake and abandon holiness in the world, and leave it a poor orphan thing, that shall have no influence at all from Him to preserve and keep it. Holiness is something of God, wherever it is; it is an efflux from Him, that always hangs upon Him, and lives in Him, as the sunbeams, though they gild this lower world, and spread their golden wings over us, yet they are not so much here, where they shine, as in the sun, from whence they flow. God cannot draw a curtain betwixt Himself and holiness, which is nothing but the splendour and shining of Himself. He cannot hide His face from it; He cannot desert it, in the world (Mat_28:20; Act_9:4-5; 2Ti_4:17). (R. Cudworth.)
I do always those things which please Him.--Eternally, past, present, and future at all times, everywhere, in all ways, He requires from all, and teaches all those things which please God. Of whom but the eternal Son and Spirit can this be said? (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.)
The Christians motto
Observe Christ as
I. THE MEDIATOR. Our text is true of our Lord every way.
1. Of His incarnation we read, Lo, I come … I delight to do Thy will. He did the thing which pleased the Father during His obscure life as the carpenters Son. He was The holy child Jesus. At the end of His retirement the Father set His seal upon His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased at His baptism, when He fulfilled all righteousness, a type of the perfect obedience He intended to render. His temptation and victory were well pleasing to God, the token whereof was the ministration of angels. Throughout His life He fulfilled Isa_42:21. He magnified the ceremonial law by coming under it and observing it until the time when it passed away; and the moral law by such obedience as enabled Him to say, Which of you convinceth him of sin. Hence the same attestation at the Transfiguration as at the Baptism, and the answer to His prayer, Father, glorify Thy name. The miracles were tokens of the Fathers pleasure Act_2:22). In His death it pleased the Father to bruise Him. It pleased God that He should ascend, for He received gifts for men. God is pleased with His intercession, for it is all prevalent. It will please that He should come again; for all judgment is committed to His hands.
2. The saving works of Jesus are lovely in the Fathers eyes. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper, etc. I have no pleasure in the death, etc.
3. The benefits which Christ confers on the saints please the Father; for it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell, and it pleases Him when of His fulness we receive grace for grace.
II. THE MODEL. In taking Christ as our example
1. It implied that we ourselves are rendered pleasing to God. As long as a man is obnoxious to God, all he does is obnoxious. They that are in the flesh cannot please God.
2. Included in this is the avoiding all things that displease Him.
(1) Pride, whether of talent, self-righteousness, wealth, dress, rank. The Lord resisted the proud.
(2) Sloth--which God couples with wickedness.
(3) Unwatchfulness, carelessness, indifference, neglect.
(4) Anger, oppression, craftiness, covetousness, worldliness.
(5) Unbelief--doubts of His power and faithfulness.
(6) Murmuring.
3. It should be our intent and earnest design to please God. We shall not do this by accident; we must give our whole souls to it.
4. The text is positive and practical. Do.
(1) Christ was prayerful, and it cannot please the Father for His child not to speak to Him.
(2) Christ loved God and man.
(3) Christ pleased not Himself, and to please God we must deny ourselves.
(4) Christ was separate from sinners, and we must not be conformed to the world.
(5) To please God note Psa_69:30, and Heb_13:16, and learn to cultivate a thankful spirit; note-- 1Jn_3:22, and Heb_11:5-6. and believe; note Col_1:10, and learn that resignation is pleasing to God.
5. These things must be actually done. I do. It will not suffice to talk or pray about them or to be charmed with them.
6. Always. At home as husband or wife, etc.; at business as master or servant. There must not be at any moment anything that we should not like God to see, nor be where we should not like Christ to find us.
7. By doing the things that please God.
(1) We shall enjoy and retain the presence of the Father, not otherwise.
(2) We shall be girded with strength; otherwise we shall be impotent.
(3) The Lord will be with us in our work.
Conclusion:
1. Is this too high a model? Would you prefer an example that would let you be contented with a measure of sin? Do you think it an impossible ideal? But what about the promised help of the Spirit?
2. Have you failed? Then grieve over it, and try again. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
We must please God always
It will not suffice to say I do the things which please God when I go out to worship. The Christian must aim to say I do always. I have known some persons take a holiday from Christs service sometimes. They say Once a year surely one may indulge. If holiness is slavery then surely you are the slave of sin. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Conduct insisted by love
A child had a beautiful canary, which sang to him from early morning. The mother of the child was ill--so ill that the song of the little bird, which to the boy was delicious music, disturbed and distressed her so that she could scarcely bear to hear it. He put it in a room far away, but the birds notes reached the sick bed, and caused pain to her in her long, feverish days. One morning, as the child stood holding his mothers hand, he saw that when his pet sang, an expression of pain passed over her dear face. She had never yet told him that she could not bear the noise, but she did so now. It is no music to me, she said, as he asked her if the notes were not pretty. He looked at her in wonder. And do you really dislike the sound? Indeed I do, she said. The child, full of love to his mother, left the room. The golden feathers of the pretty canary were glistening in the sunshine, and he was trilling forth his loveliest notes; but they had ceased to please the boy. They were no longer pretty or soothing to him, and taking the cage in his hand he left the house. When he returned he told his mother that the bird would disturb her rest no more, for he had given it to his little cousin. But you loved it so, she said; how could you part with the canary? I loved the canary, mother, he replied; but I love you more. I could not really love anything that gave you pain. It would not be true love if I did. (Quiver.)
As He spake these words many believed on Him
The force of truth
A woman in Scotland, who was determined, as far as possible, not to have anything to do with religion, threw her Bible and all the tracts she could find in her house into the fire. One of the tracts fell down out of the flames, so she picked it up and thrust it in again. A second time it slipped down, and once more she put it back. Again her evil intention was frustrated, but the next time she was more successful, though, even then only half of it was consumed. Taking up the portion that fell out of the fire, she exclaimed, Surely the devil is in that tract, for it wont burn. Her curiosity was excited; she began to read it, and it was the means of her conversion. It was one of my sermons. Verily that sermon, and the woman too, were saved, yet so as by fire. What wondrous ways the Lord has of bringing home the truth! (C. H. Spurgeon.)
A word in season
Lady Huntingdon once spoke to a workman who was repairing a garden wall, and pressed him to thoughtfulness on the state of his soul. Some years afterwards, she was speaking to another man on the same subject, and said, Thomas, I fear you never pray, nor look to Jesus Christ for salvation. Your ladyship is mistaken, answered the man; I heard what passed between you and James at such a time, and the word you designed for him took effect on me. How did you hear it? I heard it on the other side of the garden, through a hole in the wall, and shall never forget the impression I received.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv28–29 28. When ye have lifted up the Son of…
28. When ye have lifted up the Son of man. Lifted him up on the cross. His “lifting up” would be the means of breaking down unbelief. We can see how this was verified. In fifty days after he was lifted up three thousand believed in a single day, and the work of faith went on until the civilized world acknowledged him as King.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v28 Joh 8:28-29. “Then Jesus said, When you may lift…
THE CRUCIFIXION
Joh 8:28-29. “Then Jesus said, When you may lift up the Son of man, then you shall know that I am He; and I do nothing of Myself; but as the Father taught Me, these things I speak.” In that memorable sermon to Nicodemus, in the beginning of His ministry, in His reference to Moses lifting up the serpent, our Lord assures us by what death He is going to die. Here He repeats the affirmation. This was quite a new departure, as the Jews had no such a punishment, it being peculiarly Roman. Hence, His death by the hands of the Gentiles, by the most cruel of all methods, He predicts ever and anon. When His ministry thus wound up, it was too late for those hard-hearted, unbelieving Jews, as doubtless the Holy Spirit withdrew, leaving them to their dreadful doom; meanwhile, the darkening sun, rending rocks, heaving earthquakes, bursting tombs, risen saints, rending veil, descending angels, empty sepulcher, etc., would inundate them with conviction that they had actually killed the Prince of light, not a few of them repenting and getting saved during the Pentecostal revival, but vast multitudes only the more hardened, evidently having crossed the dead- line, and sealed their doom in endless woe. “The One having sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do those things pleasing unto Him.” Jesus is our only Paragon. Such is the bountiful redeeming grace which He gives His humble followers, that we are enabled always to do those things pleasing to the Father, thus walking in His footprints and emulating His example.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv26, 28 kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Mat 4:8").
world
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Mat 4:8").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v28 The distinguishing sign:
The distinguishing sign:
v. 28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.
Read full note →
v. 29. And He that sent Me is with Me; the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.
v. 30. As He spake these words, many believed on Him.
In spite of all the enmity and the lack of understanding, the Lord continues to proclaim His message concerning Himself and His office in the world. He points forward to the great culmination of His labors in the world. The time would come that they would raise up the Son of Man, nail Him to the cross. Through this death He would enter into the glory of His Father. This fact would become a distinguishing mark. He that believes on the crucified Christ has the necessary spiritual understanding of the Gospel and its meaning. They that reject the crucified Christ will find that He will become their Judge. To them He will be revealed in the majesty of His divine power, and they will understand when it is too late that He did nothing in His labors on earth on His own initiative, by arrogant presumption, but that He had spoken only what the Father had taught Him to say. For the union between the two persons of the Godhead is so intimate that all their great undertakings for the salvation of mankind are done together. For although He has been sent out by the Father, yet the Father is with Him; there is a distinction of persons, but one divine essence. He is true to the purpose of the Father, to the divine will for the salvation of the world; and therefore His conduct pleases the Father at all times, there is perfect sympathy and correspondence between them. Now finally some of the divine truths penetrated into the hearts and minds of some of the hearers, and many were won for Christ. His Word, whenever and wherever it is preached, will always have some effect and success, on account of its inherent power.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v28 When you have lifted up
When you have lifted up
This refers to placing Jesus on the cross to kill him.
Read full note →
Son of Man
Jesus used the title "Son of Man" to refer to himself.
I AM
As God the Son, Jesus knows God the Father unlike anyone else. Possible meanings are 1) Jesus was identifying himself as Yahweh by saying, "I am God" or 2) Jesus was saying, "I am the one I claim to be."
As the Father taught me, I speak these things
"I am only saying what my Father taught me to say." The word "Father" is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)
He who sent me
The word "He" refers to God.
As Jesus was saying these things
"As Jesus spoke these words"
many believed in him
"many people trusted him"
translationWords
Son of Man
God the Father
teach
believe
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v28 8:28 The synoptic Gospels describe Jesus as predicting his…
8:28 The synoptic Gospels describe Jesus as predicting his death three times (e.g., Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34). John parallels this (John 3:14; 8:28; 12:33-34), showing that the Father governs his Son’s fate.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.