John 8:16 — Community Reflections

JOHN 8:16 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.”

And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me — Jesus qualifies his disclaimer: if he does judge, his judgment is true and reliable. He is not alone; he is united with the Father ('I and the Father that sent me'). This union ensures that his judgment, when it comes, will be just. The statement balances humility (judgment belongs to the Father) with authority (when I judge, the Father judges with me). The unity of judgment reflects the unity of will and purpose between Father and Son.

Church Fathers on John 8:16

Our Lord having said, I am the Light of the world; and, he that follows Me, walks not in darkness, the Jews wish to overthrow what He has said: The Pharisees therefore said to Him, you bear record of Yourself, Your record is not true.
Chrysostom · 4th century

As if our Lord Himself were the only (one that bore) witness to Himself; whereas the truth was that He had, before His incarnation, sent many witnesses to prophesy of His Sacraments.
Alcuin · 8th century

The witness of light is true, whether the light show itself, or other things. The Prophet spoke the truth, but whence had he it, but by drawing from the fount of truth? Jesus then is a competent witness to Himself: For I know whence I come, and whither I go: this has reference to the Father; for the Son gave glory to the Father who sent Him. How greatly then should man glorify the Creator, who made Him. He did not separate from His Father, however, when He came, or desert us…
Augustine · 4th century

Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!