Bible Strands
John 8:47
Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the group of Jews who have just challenged his authority (v. 46) and are about to call him a demon (v. 48). He is mid-exchange in the temple, not preaching to a crowd.
The words — ῥήματα (rhēmata) is "declarations" or "utterances," concrete spoken words, distinct from the broader λόγος. ἐκ (ek) marks origin—"out of God"—not mere association but source.
The thread — John 10:26 inverts the same logic: "because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe." 2 John 1:9 ties remaining in the teaching directly to having God.
Why it lands — Hearing is not the entry point into belonging; it is the diagnostic of it. The verse asks the reader to treat their response to God's words as evidence of where they already stand, not as a test they can pass.
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
He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Cross-references
- John 10:26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe.
- 2 John 1:9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
- John 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
- John 6:45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me—
- 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
- John 8:37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.
- John 8:45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
- John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
- John 8:43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.
- John 17:6 I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.