The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
This took place as part of teaching given in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. It was the direct answer to the declaration that He is the light of the world. In it the Pharisees challenged His testimony about Himself, insisting that because He bore record of Himself His record was not true.
Their words accused Him of egotism for testifying about Himself. The accusation reflected rejection and refusal to recognize His divine character and mission, despite convincing evidence of who He was. Their failure came because they had not searched the prophecies concerning the Messiah as it was their privilege and duty to do, and because they had no connection with God and heaven and therefore did not comprehend the work of the Saviour of the world. Although they had received the most convincing evidence that He was the Saviour, they refused to open their minds to understand, having at first set their hearts against Him and refused the strongest proof of His divinity until their hearts grew harder and they were determined not to believe nor accept Him.
The charge meant they judged after the flesh. They were unable to tell where He came from or where He was going. His self-witness is true because He knows where He came from and where He is going. His self-record is true because He is not alone but is with the Father who sent Him. Though He judges no one, when He does judge His judgment is true because the Father is with Him.
This took place as part of teaching given in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. It was the direct answer to the declaration that He is the light of the world. In it the Pharisees challenged His testimony about Himself, insisting that because He bore record of Himself His record was not true.
Their words accused Him of egotism for testifying about Himself. The accusation reflected rejection and refusal to recognize His divine character and mission, despite convincing evidence of who He was. Their failure came because they had not searched the prophecies concerning the Messiah as it was their privilege and duty to do, and because they had no connection with God and heaven and therefore did not comprehend the work of the Saviour of the world. Although they had received the most convincing evidence that He was the Saviour, they refused to open their minds to understand, having at first set their hearts against Him and refused the strongest proof of His divinity until their hearts grew harder and they were determined not to believe nor accept Him.
The charge meant they judged after the flesh. They were unable to tell where He came from or where He was going. His self-witness is true because He knows where He came from and where He is going. His self-record is true because He is not alone but is with the Father who sent Him. Though He judges no one, when He does judge His judgment is true because the Father is with Him.