I do not seek My own glory.In this phrase, Jesus emphasizes His humility and submission to the Father's will. Unlike the religious leaders of His time, who often sought personal recognition and honor, Jesus consistently pointed to the Father as the source of His authority and mission. This reflects the broader biblical theme of humility, as seen in
Philippians 2:5-8, where Christ's humility is highlighted. Jesus' statement also contrasts with the cultural norms of honor and shame in the ancient Near East, where personal glory was often pursued.
There is One who seeks it,
Here, Jesus refers to God the Father as the one who seeks His glory. This aligns with the biblical narrative that God desires to glorify His Son, as seen in passages likeJohn 17:1, where Jesus prays for the Father to glorify Him. The Father’s role in seeking the glory of the Son underscores the divine relationship and unity within the Trinity. It also reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such asIsaiah 42:1, where God promises to uphold and glorify His chosen servant.
and He is the Judge.
This phrase identifies God as the ultimate judge, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. In the context ofJohn 8, Jesus is addressing the judgmental attitudes of the Pharisees, contrasting their flawed human judgment with the perfect and righteous judgment of God. This echoes passages likePsalm 75:7, which declares God as the judge who brings down one and exalts another. It also points to the eschatological role of Christ as judge, as seen inActs 17:31, where God has appointed a day to judge the world through Jesus.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders, emphasizing His mission and relationship with the Father.
2.
The PhariseesReligious leaders of the time who often opposed Jesus and His teachings, questioning His authority and identity.
3.
God the FatherReferred to as "One who seeks it," indicating that God seeks the glory of His Son and is the ultimate judge.
4.
JerusalemThe setting of this discourse, where Jesus often taught and confronted religious leaders.
5.
The Feast of TabernaclesThe broader context of
John 8, where Jesus was teaching in the temple courts during this significant Jewish festival.
Teaching Points
Humility in ServiceJesus exemplifies humility by not seeking His own glory. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve others selflessly, trusting God to honor us in His time.
God as the Ultimate JudgeWe are reminded that God is the ultimate judge, and we should live with an awareness of His righteous judgment, seeking to please Him rather than seeking human approval.
Trust in God's TimingJust as Jesus trusted the Father to glorify Him, we should trust God's timing and plan for our lives, knowing that He sees and rewards our faithfulness.
Reflecting Christ's CharacterIn our interactions, we should strive to reflect Christ's character, prioritizing God's glory over personal recognition or advancement.
Living for God's GloryOur primary aim should be to glorify God in all we do, aligning our actions and motives with His will and purpose.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 8:50?
2.How does John 8:50 emphasize God's role in seeking glory, not ours?
3.What does John 8:50 teach about humility in our daily lives?
4.How can we align our actions with God's will, as seen in John 8:50?
5.How does John 8:50 connect with Matthew 6:33 about seeking God's kingdom first?
6.How can John 8:50 guide us in prioritizing God's glory over personal ambition?
7.What does John 8:50 reveal about Jesus' understanding of divine judgment?
8.How does John 8:50 challenge the concept of self-glorification in Christian life?
9.In what way does John 8:50 emphasize God's role as the ultimate judge?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 8?
11.Did Jesus judge others? (John 8:15 vs. John 5:22)
12.Who will be judged? (John 5:22 vs. Romans 8:1)
13.John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?
14.What is the meaning of God's grace?What Does John 8:50 Mean
I do not seek My own gloryJesus is speaking to a hostile crowd that has challenged His identity. He immediately makes clear that personal fame is not His motive.
• Throughout His ministry He consistently pointed to the Father’s will (John 5:30;John 6:38).
• His miracles, teachings, and even His coming crucifixion were all expressions of humble obedience (Philippians 2:5-8).
• By refusing self-promotion, He models the servant-hearted life He expects of His followers (Matthew 20:26-28).
This line also reminds us that true significance is never found in our own acclaim but in honoring God alone.
There is One who seeks itThough Jesus does not pursue His own glory, the Father does.
• At Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration the Father publicly affirmed His Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5).
• The Father’s delight in exalting Christ continues: “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place” (Philippians 2:9).
• Even in the face of rejection, Jesus rests in the certainty that the Father is actively working to reveal and vindicate the Son (John 5:22-23).
Believers can take heart: when we walk in obedience, God Himself watches over our reputations and causes His purposes to shine through us.
and He is the JudgeThe same Father who glorifies the Son also judges all people.
• Judgment has been entrusted to Jesus (John 5:26-27), yet originates from the Father, underscoring their perfect unity.
• Because God is Judge, human verdicts are temporary at best (Psalm 75:7). The religious leaders’ opinions could not alter the Father’s righteous evaluation.
• This truth warns the hearer: rejecting the Son invites the Judge’s verdict (John 3:18-19). It also comforts believers, assuring them that justice will prevail (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
summaryInJohn 8:50 Jesus reveals three intertwined realities: He refuses self-exaltation, the Father delights to exalt Him, and the Father is the ultimate Judge. Together these truths call us to humility, deepen our trust in God’s vindication, and remind us that every knee will bow to the One whom the Father glorifies.
(50)
And I seek not mine own glory.--The words are immediately connected with those which have preceded. They dishonoured Him. This to one who sought His own glory would have been matter of concern. For Him whose whole life was one of self-denial, their dishonour finds nothing which it can wound. His words repeat what He had taught them before. (See Notes on
John 5:41;
John 7:18.)
There is one that seeketh and judgeth.--Comp.John 5:45. The thought here is that though He Himself seeks not His own glory, the Father seeketh for the honour of the Son, and judgeth between Him and those who dishonour Him. The result of the judgment as to those who keep not His word is expressed in the next verse; and as to Himself inJohn 16:10.
Verse 50. -
But, in honouring my Father, and in quietly bearing your unjustifiable reproaches,
I am not seeking my glory (cf. vers. 28, 42;
John 7:18). The claim of Christ to be and do so much is made because he has the happiness of the world, the salvation and life of men, and the glory of the Father as his consuming passion. He is not seeking his own glory; he is only crowning himself with the crown of utter self-abnegation. But, while he repudiates all care for his own glory, he knows that,
there is One to whom that glory is dear,
who seeketh his glory, and with whom it is perfectly safe,
and who judgeth with absolute impartiality and infinite knowledge. Westcott quotes in illustration of
ὁ ζητῶν, Philo on
Genesis 42:22, "He that seeketh [maketh inquisition for blood] is not man, but God, or the Logos, or the Divine Law" ('De Jos.,' 29).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Iἐγὼ(egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.{do} notοὐ(ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.seekζητῶ(zētō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2212:To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.Myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.[own]τὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.glory.δόξαν(doxan)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391:From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.There isἔστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.One whoὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.seeks [it],ζητῶν(zētōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2212:To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.He is the Judge.κρίνων(krinōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2919:Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.
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NT Gospels: John 8:50 But I don't seek my own glory (Jhn Jo Jn) 
