New International VersionJesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
New Living TranslationJesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’
English Standard VersionJesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
Berean Standard BibleJesus 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 Literal BibleJesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father glorifying Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'
King James BibleJesus 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:
New King James VersionJesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.
New American Standard BibleJesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’;
NASB 1995Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’
NASB 1977Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’;
Legacy Standard BibleJesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’;
Amplified BibleJesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is [worth] nothing. It is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
Christian Standard Bible“If I glorify myself,” Jesus answered, “my glory is nothing. My Father—about whom you say, ‘He is our God’—he is the one who glorifies me.
Holman Christian Standard Bible“If I glorify Myself,” Jesus answered, “My glory is nothing. My Father—you say about Him, He is our God—He is the One who glorifies Me.
American Standard VersionJesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God;
Contemporary English VersionJesus replied, "If I honored myself, it would mean nothing. My Father is the one who honors me. You claim that he is your God,
English Revised VersionJesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus said, "If I bring glory to myself, my glory is nothing. My Father is the one who gives me glory, and you say that he is your God.
Good News TranslationJesus answered, "If I were to honor myself, that honor would be worth nothing. The one who honors me is my Father--the very one you say is your God.
International Standard VersionJesus answered, "If I were trying to glorify myself, my glory would mean nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'
NET BibleJesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worthless. The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you people say, 'He is our God.'
New Heart English BibleJesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say 'He is our God.'
Webster's Bible TranslationJesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honoreth me, of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Weymouth New Testament"Were I to glorify myself," answered Jesus, "I should have no real glory. There is One who glorifies me--namely my Father, who you say is your God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJesus 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.’
World English BibleJesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionJesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who is glorifying Me, of whom you say that He is your God;
Berean Literal BibleJesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father glorifying Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'
Young's Literal Translation Jesus answered, 'If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who is glorifying me, of whom ye say that He is your God;
Smith's Literal TranslationJesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father honouring me; whom ye say, that he is your God: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleJesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is your God.
Catholic Public Domain VersionJesus responded: “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me. And you say about him that he is your God.
New American BibleJesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
New Revised Standard VersionJesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleJesus said to them, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing; but it is my Father who honors me, the one of whom you say, He is our God.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishYeshua said to them, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, 'He is our God.' “ NT Translations Anderson New TestamentJesus answered: If I honor myself, my honor is nothing; it is my Father that honors me, of whom you say, that he is your God.
Godbey New TestamentJesus responded, If I may glorify myself, my glory is nothing: my Father is the one glorifying me; whom you say, that, He is our God;
Haweis New Testament
Jesus answered, If I assume glory to myself, my glory is nothing: it is the Father who glorifies me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Mace New Testament
Jesus answered, if I honour'd my self, my honour would be vain: it is my father that honoureth me, of whom ye say, that he is your God.
Weymouth New Testament
"Were I to glorify myself," answered Jesus, "I should have no real glory. There is One who glorifies me--namely my Father, who you say is your God.
Worrell New Testament
Jesus answered,"If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. It is My Father Who glorifieth Me, of Whom ye say, that He is your God.
Worsley New Testament
Jesus answered,If I honour myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me, of whom ye say that He is your God.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Before Abraham was Born, I Am… 53Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?” 54Jesusanswered,“IfIglorifyMyself,Myglorymeansnothing.The One whoglorifiesMeisMyFather,of whomyousay‘He isourGod.’55You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.…
Cross References John 5:41-44I do not accept glory from men, / but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you. / I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. ...
John 7:18He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.
John 17:1When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
John 12:28Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
John 13:31-32When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. / If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son in Himself—and will glorify Him at once.
John 14:13And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 16:14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.
Matthew 3:17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Matthew 17:5While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
2 Peter 1:17For 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.”
Philippians 2:9-11Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 5:5So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”
Isaiah 42:8I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.
Isaiah 48:11For My own sake, My very own sake, I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.
Isaiah 43:10-11“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. / I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me.
Treasury of Scripture Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God: If. John 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. John 5:31,32 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true… it is. John 5:22-29,41 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: … John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yetgiven; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 13:31,32 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him… ye say. John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father,even God. Isaiah 48:1,2 Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel,but not in truth, nor in righteousness… Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Jump to Previous ClaimGivesGlorifiesGlorifiethGlorifyGlorifyingGloryHonorHonorethHonourHonourethJesusMeansNamelyRealJump to Next ClaimGivesGlorifiesGlorifiethGlorifyGlorifyingGloryHonorHonorethHonourHonourethJesusMeansNamelyRealJohn 8 1.Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.12.He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;31.promises freedom to those who believe;33.answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;48.answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;59.and slips away from those who would stone him.Jesus answeredIn this passage, Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who questioned His authority and identity. This dialogue occurs during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when Jesus was teaching in the temple courts. His response is part of a larger discourse where He reveals His divine nature and relationship with the Father. If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing.
Here, Jesus emphasizes the principle of humility and divine validation. In Jewish culture, self-promotion was often viewed with skepticism. Jesus contrasts human glory with divine approval, indicating that true honor comes from God, not self-exaltation. This reflects the biblical theme that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The One who glorifies Me is My Father,
Jesus identifies God the Father as the source of His glory. This statement underscores the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, a recurring theme in the Gospel of John. It also points to the divine endorsement of Jesus' mission and identity, as seen in events like His baptism (Matthew 3:17) and transfiguration (Matthew 17:5), where the Father publicly affirms Him. of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
Jesus addresses the Jewish leaders' claim to know and worship the true God. This phrase highlights the irony and tension in the narrative: the religious leaders profess allegiance to God yet fail to recognize His Son. It echoes the prophetic critique found inIsaiah 29:13, where God condemns those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. Jesus challenges their understanding and calls them to a deeper recognition of God's work through Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus- The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders, emphasizing His relationship with the Father. 2. The Father- God the Father, who glorifies Jesus, affirming His divine authority and mission. 3. Jewish Leaders- The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, who claim God as their own but fail to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. 4. Jerusalem- The setting of this discourse, a city central to Jewish religious life and the location of many of Jesus' teachings. 5. The Temple- While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the broader context of John 8 suggests that this conversation takes place in or near the Temple, a significant place for Jewish worship and teaching. Teaching Points Understanding True GloryJesus teaches that self-glorification is meaningless. True glory comes from God, and we should seek His approval rather than human accolades. Recognizing Divine AuthorityJesus' authority is affirmed by the Father. As believers, we must recognize and submit to Jesus' divine authority in our lives. Relationship with the FatherJesus models a perfect relationship with the Father, characterized by mutual glorification. We are called to cultivate a relationship with God that seeks His glory above all. Identity in ChristJust as Jesus' identity is affirmed by the Father, our identity as believers is rooted in our relationship with God. We should live in a way that reflects this truth. Witness to OthersJesus' interaction with the Jewish leaders challenges us to be witnesses of His glory and truth, even when faced with opposition or misunderstanding. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of John 8:54?
2.How does John 8:54 emphasize the importance of seeking God's glory over self-glory?
3.What does John 8:54 reveal about Jesus' relationship with the Father?
4.How can we apply Jesus' example of humility in John 8:54 today?
5.What Old Testament passages connect to Jesus' teaching in John 8:54?
6.How does John 8:54 challenge our understanding of true honor and recognition?
7.What does John 8:54 reveal about Jesus' relationship with God the Father?
8.How does John 8:54 challenge the concept of self-glorification in Christianity?
9.Why is the acknowledgment of God important in John 8:54?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 8?
11.What does 'I will not give my glory to another' mean?
12.How does prayer influence personal and spiritual growth?
13.What is the definition of effectual calling?
14.What does "I will not give my glory to another" mean?What Does John 8:54 Mean If I glorify MyselfJesus begins with a hypothetical: “If I glorify Myself….” He is not denying His worth; He is pointing out that self–promotion is out of step with the humility He models (John 5:31;Proverbs 27:2). In a culture where religious leaders loved public applause (Matthew 6:1-2), Jesus refuses to play that game. His focus is always on pleasing the Father, never on drawing attention to Himself (John 8:50).
My glory means nothingLeft to human judgment, any self-declared greatness is empty. True glory must be validated outside the self. •Philippians 2:6-8 shows the Son willingly setting aside visible glory and embracing servanthood, trusting the Father to exalt Him in due time. •1 Peter 5:5 reminds believers that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” By refusing self-glory, Jesus demonstrates the very humility the Father esteems.
The One who glorifies Me is My FatherRather than grasp for acclaim, Jesus rests in the Father’s endorsement. •John 3:35: “The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands.” •John 17:1-5 records Jesus asking the Father to glorify Him, confident that the request will be granted. •Acts 3:13 andHebrews 5:5 echo the theme: God Himself publicly honors the Son. This Father-given glory confirms Jesus’ identity and mission, assuring listeners that believing in Him is grounded in the Father’s own testimony.
of whom you say, “He is our God.”The audience proudly claimed the covenant God, yet failed to recognize His Son standing before them. •Deuteronomy 6:4 (“Hear, O Israel…”) formed their daily confession, butJohn 5:23 warns that refusing to honor the Son is equal to dishonoring the Father. •Romans 2:17-24 highlights the danger of boasting in God while living in contradiction to His revelation. Their declaration, “He is our God,” rings hollow because they reject the very One the Father glorifies.
summaryJohn 8:54 teaches that authentic glory comes from God alone. Jesus, though fully worthy of praise, chooses humility and relies on the Father’s public vindication. By doing so, He reveals both His perfect submission and His divine identity. Those who truly claim the God of Israel must honor the Son He glorifies, for the Father’s endorsement of Jesus leaves no middle ground: to receive the Son is to receive the Father who sent Him. (54) If I honour myself, my honour is nothing.--The word rendered "honour" is not the same as that in John 8:49. It is better to read glorify here. Following all the better MSS. the tense is past. We have then, If I shall have glorified Myself, My glory is nothing. Stress is to be laid upon the pronoun. "If I, for My part, as distinct from the Father, shall have glorified Myself." It is my Father that honoureth me.--Better, as before, . . .glorifieth Me. This is the answer to their question, "Whom makest Thou Thyself?" The attribute of life in Himself, and the power to communicate this to those who kept His word, was the gift of the Father to the Son. (See Note onJohn 5:26.) Of whom ye say, that he is your God.--Some of the better MSS., and most modern editors, read . . . "He is our God." The identification of the Father with the God of Israel is important. It may be, as some have supposed, that the phrase, "He is our God," belonged to common liturgical forms or hymns, and was thus frequently on their lips. Verse 54. - Our Lord does not immediately or directly reply to their question. He was not making himself to be anything. He was simply declaring the fact. He does not return on the astounding assertion of ver. 51, but confirms it by reaffirming his own relation to the Father, and that sense of absolute and perfect union with the Father on which his entire ministry was based. Jesus answered, If I glorify myself - if I, from the ground of my own human consciousness, and apart from the Father who is with me and in me, and who "seeketh my glory" (ver. 50), if I have no unique relation and access to the Father, as you Jews seem to imply - then my glory - the glory of giving eternal life, of conferring perfect freedom and sonship upon those who continue in and keep my word; then all this glory which I claim - is nothing. But neither is the hypothesis one of fact, nor is the conclusion (fair enough on that hypothesis) a truth. "I am not glorifying myself, making myself anything other than I am." It is my Father who is glorifying me (cf. ver. 50, both for construction and sense); of whom ye say, that he is our [ your] God. They claimed for themselves that they were "of God," and that the Father of whom he spake was no other than their God and Father as well as his. But they have not comprehended their own Scriptures nor God's providence, nor all the revelation which the Father was making of himself in the Son; while their special and monopolizing claim concealed from them the face of the Father.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.answered,Ἀπεκρίθη(Apekrithē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611:From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.“IfἘὰν(Ean)Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.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.glorifyδοξάσω(doxasō)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1392:To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious.Myself,ἐμαυτόν(emauton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1683:Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.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.gloryδόξα(doxa)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391:From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.meansἐστιν(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.nothing.οὐδέν(ouden)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3762:No one, none, nothing.The [One who]ὁ(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.glorifiesδοξάζων(doxazōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1392:To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious.Meμε(me)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.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.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.Father,Πατήρ(Patēr)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.[of] whomὃν(hon)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.youὑμεῖς(hymeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.sayλέγετε(legete)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.‘He isἐστιν(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.ourἡμῶν(hēmōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.God.’Θεὸς(Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
Links John 8:54 NIVJohn 8:54 NLTJohn 8:54 ESVJohn 8:54 NASBJohn 8:54 KJV
John 8:54 BibleApps.comJohn 8:54 Biblia ParalelaJohn 8:54 Chinese BibleJohn 8:54 French BibleJohn 8:54 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: John 8:54 Jesus answered If I glorify myself my (Jhn Jo Jn) |
