Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 8:43
Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.
43. my speech my word ] ‘Speech’ is the outward expression, the language used; ‘thy speech bewrayeth thee’ (Mat 26:73; comp. Mar 14:70). Besides these two passages the word for ‘speech’ is used only Joh 4:42, where it is rendered ‘saying,’ and here. ‘Word’ is the meaning of the expression, the teaching conveyed in the language used. They perpetually misunderstand His language, because they cannot appreciate His meaning. They are ‘from beneath’ ( Joh 8:23), and He is speaking of ‘things above’ (Col 3:1); they are ‘of this world,’ and He is telling of ‘heavenly things’ (Joh 3:12); they are ‘natural,’ and He is teaching ‘spiritual things’ (1Co 2:14; see note there). They ‘ cannot hear;’ it is amoral impossibility: they have their whole character to change before they can understand spiritual truths.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 candor, a disposition to cavil and to pervert the truth, and an obstinate purpose that it shall not be applied to their case. Hence, they embrace every form of false doctrine, and choose error rather than truth, and darkness rather than light. A disposition to believe God is one of the best helps for understanding the Bible.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 43. Why do ye not understand my speech?] , This my mode of speaking – when illustrating spiritual by natural things: refers to the manner of speaking; , to the matter or subject on which he spoke. For , the Codex Bezae had originally : why do ye not acknowledge this TRUTH of mine? A few other MSS. agree in this reading.
Because ye cannot hear my word.] That is, ye cannot bear my doctrine: it comes too close to you; it searches your hearts, detects your hypocrisy, and exposes your iniquitous intentions and designs; and as ye are determined not to leave your sins, so ye are purposed not to hear my doctrine.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It is manifest all along this discourse, that Christ spake riddles to the Jews, and that they understood not the import and sense of his discourse: Now (saith our Saviour) the reason is,
because ye cannot hear, that is, believe, my word: they could and did hear it with their ears; they heard the sound of it, but they could not discern the spiritual sense and meaning of it: it was not given to them to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, Mat 13:11. And the reason was, because they suffered themselves to be blinded by prejudice, and by their own lusts and corrupt affections, till God gave them up to a judicial blindness, that hearing they heard, and did not understand; and seeing they saw, and did not perceive.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Why do ye not understand my speech?…. Language, idiom, dialect, and form of speaking, in a figurative way; for they did not know what he meant by liberty, and bondage, and by having another father than Abraham, or by his own procession and coming forth from God:
[even] because ye cannot hear my word; as they had no spiritual discerning and understanding of the doctrine of Christ, which showed them to be carnal, and natural men, and not regenerate ones, and the children of God; so they had an aversion to it, and could not bear to hear it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
My speech ( ) and
my word ( ). Perhaps , old word from (talk), means here more manner of speech than just story (4:42), while refers rather to the subject matter. They will not listen ( ) to the substance of Christ’s teaching and hence they are impatient with the way that he talks. How often that is true.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Speech – word [ – ] . The former word refers to the form, the latter to the substance of discourse. So Mt 26:73, of Peter, “thy speech [] bewrayeth thee;” thy mode of speaking. If they had understood the substance, they would have understood the form.
Cannot. See on 7 7.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Why do ye not understand my speech?” (dia ti ten lalian ten emen ou ginoskete) “Why do you all not know or grasp my speech, comprehend the meaning?” The question is posed, not for information, but for the purpose of reflective conviction upon them, much as when God questioned Adam, “where art thou, and what hast thou done?” Gen 3:1-24; Joh 7:17; 1Co 2:14.
2) “Even because ye cannot hear my word.” (hoti ou dunasthe akouein ton logon ton emon) “Because you are not able to hear my word,” Isa 6:9. Their understanding was dulled, addled by pride, self -righteousness, and because they willfully closed their eyes and ears to truth, Eph 4:18; 2Co 4:3-4. There was in these proud Pharisees a moral enmity toward truth, Rom 8:7.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
43. Why do you not understand my language? In this passage, he reproaches the Jews with their obstinacy, which was so great, that they could not even endure to hear him speak Hence he infers, that they are actuated and hurried away by diabolical rage. Some make a distinction here between language and speech, as if speech had a more extensive meaning; but I do not see it; (239) and besides, it would not be appropriate that the word which means less should be placed first. Many point this verse in such a manner as to make the question close with the word language; (240) as if the question consisted only of these words, Why do you not understand my language ? So that the reason is immediately assigned, Because you cannot hear my word. But I think that it ought rather to be read in immediate connection, as if he had said, “What is the reason why my speech appears to you barbarous and unknown, so that I gain nothing by speaking to you, and so that you do not even deign to open your ears to receive what I say?” In the former clause, therefore, he reproves their stupidity; in the latter, he reproves their obstinate and ungovernable hatred of his doctrine; and he afterwards assigns a reason for both, when he says, that they are sprung from the devil For by putting the question, he intended to take out of their hands what was the subject of their continual boasting, that they are led by reason and judgment to oppose him.
(239) “ Aucuns font ici difference entre Langage et Parole, pource que la parole emporte plus, mais je n’y en voy point.”
(240) “ En ce mot Langage.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(43) Why do ye not understand my speech, . . . my word.The distinction between speech (the form) and word (the matter which was spoken) is rightly preserved. Comp. Joh. 12:48, the word that I have spoken. A good instance of the meaning of speech is found in Mat. 26:73, thy speech betrayeth thee. From Joh. 8:33 onwards, they had constantly misunderstood His expressions. The reason is that the subject-matter of His discourse is altogether above them. He is speaking of spiritual things, which are spiritually discerned. They, if children of the Father whom they claimed, would recognise these spiritual truths and know the language of home.
Ye cannot hear.Comp. Note on Joh. 6:60. The sense is, Ye cannot hear, so as to receive and obey. He supplies the answer to His own question. In the following verses (44-47), He expresses this answer more fully.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
43. Speech word The speech is his discourse; the word is his doctrine. As they would not accept his doctrine, so they would persistently pervert and misunderstand his language.
Hear Listen to, accept.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Joh 8:43. Why do ye not understand my speech, &c.? The latter clause of this verse may likewise be translated and pointed interrogatively; Why do ye not understand my speech, , the spiritual stile that I make use of? Is it because you cannot hear my word? cannot give obedience thereto, it being contrary to your lusts? Or, can you pretend to say,that I decline giving you the most public and frequent instructions, or that those instructions are unintelligible and obscure? Your consciences in general know the contrary.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Why do ye not understand my speech; even because ye cannot hear my word. (44) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (45) And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (46) Which of you convinceth me of sin? and if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? (47) He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not , because ye are not of God. (48) Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? (49) Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. (50) And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. (51) Verily, verily, I say unto you; If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. (52) Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and thou sayest, if a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. (53) Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? (54) 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: (55) Yet ye have not known him: but I know him. And if I should say, I know him not, I should be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. (56) Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad. (57) Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old: and hast thou seen Abraham? (58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (59) Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself; and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
We have the continuation of our Lord’s Sermon, on much the same subject; only, that Jesus is rising higher, and making use of much stronger language in the doctrine, when separating the precious from the vile; the wheat from the chaff; the Church from the world. He here considers the Pharisees as totally incapable of receiving his word, because of their total inability of understanding it. And the Lord traces up the effect, to the cause; in decidedly declaring, and without the smallest reserve or limitation whatever, that they were of their father the devil, and the works of their father they would do. Here opens at once the whole matter, and becomes a decision to all the subjects of dispute, which, from age to age, have divided the opinions of men in the world. Wherefore some are everlastingly obdurate, whilst others relent. Some believe in Christ, to the salvation of their souls; whilst others are entrenched in invulnerable unbelief. Jesus, by assigning the cause of infidelity, in Satan, plainly shews the cause of faith, in the gift of God. I beg the Reader not to turn away from this solemn but just view of the subject, before that he hath first carefully looked over those scriptures, which very fully explain it: Mat_23:15; Mat_23:33 ; 1Jn 3:8-12 ; Mat 13:38-39 ; Act 13:10 . There can be no concord between Christ and Belial; between the Church and the world: they differ, in beginning and end; in cause, and effect. They never can coalesce. Tares and wheat may grow together; but tares and wheat they must everlastingly remain, as long as they remain. Hence Christ’s final sentence to the characters of the Serpentine brood; ye shall die in your sins: and whither I go ye cannot come.
I will only detain the Reader with just observing, what a very blessed, and decisive declaration, the Lord Jesus made of himself, when, in the close of his sermon, he said, Before Abraham was I am! In every sense how truly blessed! Considered as to his eternal nature, and essence. Considered as to his Mediator-character, as set up the Head and Husband of his Church, from everlasting. Considered as to his Office-work before he openly tabernacled in substance of our flesh, when in his goings forth at creation, and in the garden, with our first Parents; with Noah, and before and after the flood! And though it was subsequent to the days of Abraham. when the Lord went before his people, in the wilderness; yet Stephen, under the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost declared, that he it was who spake to Moses, in Mount Sinai. Act 7:35 . And that the Jews understood our Lord in this sense is very plain, for they took up stones to cast at him for what they considered blasphemy. Hence, that the Lord Jesus asserted his Godhead in this blessed expression; Before Abraham was I am: and that the Jews took it in this sense is as plain as words can make it. Neither do I think the action of Christ which followed, less convincing than his words in proof of Deity. For as he had done once before upon a like occasion, (See Luk 4:28-30 .) to escape their malice for that season; so now he did the same, either by rendering, himself for a time invisible, or blinding their apprehension of him: but in either case, manifesting his Godhead so as to pass them by.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Ver. 43. Why do ye not understand my speech? ] Any more than if I spake to you in a strange language. So many of our hearers.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
43. ] is to understand the idiom or dialect in which a man speaks, . being his manner of speech : see Mat 26:73 , and Son 4:3 , LXX. Why do ye not understand my speech? as E. V. But this of course does not here refer to the mere outward expression of the Lord’s discourses, but to the spiritual idiom in which He spoke, and which can only be spiritually understood. Then is the matter of those discourses, the Word itself.
The connexion of the two clauses is, Why , &c.? Because ye cannot receive , hear with the inner ear (see reff., and ch. Joh 6:60 ), that which I say . And the verification and ground of this ‘cannot’ is in the next verse. Meyer remarks, that in questions and answers, the emphatic words come last being here and . .
understand = get to know. App-132.
speech. Referring to the form of the discourse.
hear. Hebrew idiom = understand, receive, or believe, as in Joh 9:27; Joh 10:3; Joh 12:47. Act 3:22-23. Gal 1:4, Gal 1:21.
word. Denoting the subject of the discourse.
43.] is to understand the idiom or dialect in which a man speaks, . being his manner of speech: see Mat 26:73, and Son 4:3, LXX. Why do ye not understand my speech? as E. V. But this of course does not here refer to the mere outward expression of the Lords discourses, but to the spiritual idiom in which He spoke, and which can only be spiritually understood. Then is the matter of those discourses, the Word itself.
The connexion of the two clauses is, Why, &c.? Because ye cannot receive, hear with the inner ear (see reff., and ch. Joh 6:60), that which I say. And the verification and ground of this cannot is in the next verse. Meyer remarks, that in questions and answers, the emphatic words come last-being here and . .
Joh 8:43. , why is it that) To this particle by and by answers Joh 8:44, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye do].-, because) By this clause the one immediately preceding is explained. Comp. , ch. Joh 11:47, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles; Joh 9:17, What sayest thou of Him, (seeing) that He hath opened thine eyes].- ) my speech, which is most true.- , ye cannot hear by reason of the hatred which is innate in you. A similar epitasis [an emphatic explanation of a proposition already stated, appended to it] occurs, 1Co 2:14, The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God-neither can he know them, for, etc.
Joh 8:43
Joh 8:43
Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.-Their failure to understand him was because of their fleshly, sensual nature that was cherished among them.
do: Joh 8:27, Joh 5:43, Joh 7:17, Joh 12:39, Joh 12:40, Pro 28:5, Isa 44:18, Hos 14:9, Mic 4:12, Rom 3:11
ye cannot: Joh 6:60, Isa 6:9, Jer 6:10, Act 7:51, Rom 8:7, Rom 8:8
Reciprocal: Deu 29:4 – General Isa 56:11 – are shepherds Hos 4:14 – therefore Mat 13:15 – ears Mat 13:19 – and understandeth Mat 16:11 – General Luk 22:67 – If Joh 5:44 – can Joh 6:44 – man Joh 8:37 – because Joh 8:47 – General Joh 10:6 – they understood not Joh 10:27 – sheep 1Co 2:14 – receiveth
3
As long as people are devoted to the devil (as these Jews were) they cannot hear (heed) the words of Christ. By the same token they would not understand his speech when he spoke to them upon the matters of correct living.
Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
[Because ye cannot hear my word.] You may here distinguish between the manner of speaking; or phrases used in speech and the matter or thing spoken. Isa 11:4; “He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth.” But they could not bear the smart of his rod; they would not therefore understand the phraseology or way of speech he used.
Joh 8:43. Why do ye not know my speech? Because ye cannot hear my word. There is a subtle difference between word and speech, the former properly referring to substance, the latter to the form. (Thus in Mat 26:73, when the same word is used, it is said that Peters Galilean speech betrayed him.) Did they hear His word, were they really sons of God, they would recognise his speech, and the indications (if we may so speak) contained in it of the speech of that heavenly realm from which He came. But they could not bear to hear His word: what He taught was hateful to them, though it was the truth which He heard from God (Joh 8:40). This antipathy to the substance of what He said made any recognition of the teaching as bearing on itself manifest tokens of Divine origin impossible.
Ver. 43. Why then does all this escape them? How does it happen, in particular, that they do not distinguish the tone, and, so to speak, the heavenly timbre of his speech? , speech, differs from , word, as the form differs from the contents, the discourse from the doctrine. You do not know my speech; you do not distinguish it from an ordinary human word. Why? Because you are unable to lay hold of and receive my doctrine. There was wanting to them that internal organ by means of which the teaching of Christ would become in them a light perceived. , to hear, signifies here to understand; to listen with that calmness, that seriousness, that good will which enables one to apprehend. This inability was not a fact of creation; it results from their previous moral life; compare Joh 5:44-47. Jesus now develops in full the idea of the first cause of their moral incapacity. This cause He had already declared in Joh 8:38. It is the dependence in which they are inwardly on an enemy of the truth, who fills their hearts with tumultuous and hateful passions, and thus renders them deaf to the voice of God which speaks to them through Jesus.
Verse 43
Cannot hear; will not receive.
8:43 Why do ye not understand my {k} speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.
(k) Or, language: as though he said, “You do not understand what I say any more than if I spoke in a strange and unknown language to you.”
These Jews were having difficulty believing what Jesus was saying, specifically about Himself. Jesus identified the source of this difficulty as within them, not in His ability to communicate clearly. It lay in their inability to accept the truth that He spoke because of their presuppositions, prejudice, and parentage (Joh 8:44). Hearing here does not mean mere understanding but responding positively.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)