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John 8 · a question people ask

Who was Jesus speaking to when he said the words of 8:44?

In the text

Here is what the chapter says of those he spoke with. He was in the temple (8:20, 8:59). "Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him" (8:31). Then the chapter says only, "They answered him" (8:33), and the chapter names those he is speaking with no more closely until "Then the Jews answered him" (8:48). Before 8:44 Jesus says to them, "I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you" (8:37), and "If God were your father, you would love me" (8:42). Favor quotes 8:44 as the World English Bible has it, said to those Jesus was speaking with in the temple, and applies it to no people, group or nation today.

The verses

“Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.”
John 8:20 · World English Bible
“Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by.”
John 8:59 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of John 8

John 8: The light of the world

When the Pharisees told Jesus, "Your testimony is not valid" (8:13), and he answered, "my testimony is true" (8:14), valid and true were the same Greek word. And when they asked how they would be made free (8:33), he answered, "everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin" (8:34).

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Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions