Bible Strands
John 8:46
Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a hostile group of Jewish leaders in the temple courts during the final days of His earthly ministry, responding to their prior accusations of demon possession and falsehood. He stands before them as the one they claim to judge, demanding accountability for their rejection of His message.
The words — The Greek ἐλέγχει (elegchei) literally means to convict or expose as guilty, while ἁμαρτίας (hamartias) denotes sin or moral failure. Jesus uses these terms to challenge His listeners to produce concrete evidence of His moral fault.
The thread — This charge of sinless conviction echoes Hebrews 4:15, which affirms Christ’s temptation without sin, and contrasts with John 16:8, where the Spirit will convict the world regarding sin. The rhetorical structure also mirrors Matthew 21:25, where Jesus forces His opponents to confront the source of divine authority.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers examine whether they accept truth based on its inherent validity rather than personal bias. It requires a direct response to the claim that rejecting Christ’s words stems from a failure to belong to God.
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
Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
Cross-references
- Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
- John 16:8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
- Matthew 21:25 What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- John 8:7 When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”
- John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
- 1 Peter 2:22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
- Mark 11:31 They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- John 14:30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.
- Hebrews 7:26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.