Bible Strands
John 8:54
Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to Jewish opponents in John 8 who have just questioned whether He is greater than Abraham. He addresses their assertion about God while defining the source of His authority.
The words — The Greek δοξάσω (doxasō) literally means "shall glorify," and ἐμαυτὸν (emauton) means "Myself." The text states that self-glorification produces no valid glory, establishing divine validation as the only standard.
The thread — The text links self-glorification to Proverbs 25:27 and contrasts it with seeking glory from God, as noted in John 8:50. The Father’s honor of Jesus is recorded in 2 Peter 1:17.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept that true glory originates solely from God, not human assertion. It demands submission to the Father’s witness rather than independent claims to authority.
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
Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Cross-references
- Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
- John 8:50 I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge.
- 2 Peter 1:17 For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
- Psalms 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
- John 16:14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- Psalms 2:6 “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”
- Daniel 7:13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
- John 5:22 Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,
- John 5:31 If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.