John 8:43

"Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me."

Key Reflection

In John 8:43, Jesus challenges the religious leaders by stating that genuine spiritual offspring of God would naturally love Him because He comes from God. This statement is deeply rooted in the idea that true followers should recognize and adhere to divine mission and authority. The context here reflects a tension between Jesus’ claim to be sent by God and their skepticism, highlighting the contrast between authentic faith and mere legalism or superficial religiosity.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 43. Why do ye not. My meaning is clear, if you were disposed to understand me. Even because ye cannot hear my word. The word "hear" in this place is to be understood in the sense of bear or tolerate, as in Joh 6:60. His doctrine was offensive to them. They hated it, and hence they perverted his meaning, and were resolved not to understand him. Their pride, vanity, and wickedness opposed it. The reason why sinners do not understand the Bible and its doctrines is because they cannot bear them. They hate them, and their hatred produces want of candour, a disposition to cavil and to pervert the truth, and an obstinate purpose that it shall not be applied to their case.

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