John 8:26

“I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses His Jewish opponents in the temple who have just demanded to know His identity. He responds to their challenge by clarifying that His authority and message originate from the Father who sent Him.

The words — The Greek πολλὰ λαλεῖν (polla lalein) literally means "to say many things," and κρῑνειν (krinein) means "to judge." These verbs frame Jesus' declaration that He possesses extensive teaching and judicial authority over His listeners.

The thread — Jesus contrasts His current mission with His later instruction that He came not to judge the world but to save it (John 12:47). He echoes this tension when warning the same opponents who seek His life (John 8:40) and when telling His disciples He will no longer call them servants but friends (John 15:15).

Why it lands — The text requires a reader to acknowledge that Jesus' words are transmitted from a truthful Sender, not self-generated. It demands that the hearer recognize that receiving this message entails accepting both its teaching and the judgment attached to rejecting it.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.
John 8:40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.
John 12:47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 7:28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him,
John 17:8 For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.
John 3:32 He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony.
John 5:42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you.
John 7:16 “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.
John 16:12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
2 Corinthians 1:18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”