John 8:18

Coptic Bohairic NT 2006

ⲀⲚⲞⲔ ϮⲈⲢⲘⲈⲐⲢⲈ ϦⲀⲢⲞⲒ ⲞⲨⲞϨ ϤⲈⲢⲘⲈⲐⲢⲈ ϦⲀⲢⲞⲒ ⲚϪⲈⲪⲒⲰⲦ ⲈⲦⲀϤⲦⲀⲞⲨⲞⲒ.

What Does This Mean?

Jesus is speaking here and he says that he can testify about himself, and God the Father also testifies about him. This means Jesus trusts in both his own words and the confirmation from God.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who tells everyone how great you are, and then you tell them too! That's what Jesus is saying here - he's like saying, 'I can say I'm special, but my dad up in heaven also says so!'

Historical Background

John 8:18 was written by the Apostle John, around 90-100 AD. He wrote this to a community of early Christians who were facing challenges and needed reassurance about Jesus' identity.

Living It Out Today

Imagine you're starting a new job where people doubt your skills. You might feel like you need someone else to vouch for you, but remember that just as Jesus trusted his own words and those of God, you can also trust in your abilities and seek validation from others who know you well.

Topics

• faith
• witnessing
• trust
• identity
• confirmation
• authority

Related Verses

• John 5:31-32
• Matthew 10:8
• Mark 6:47-50
• Luke 10:22
• Deuteronomy 19:15

Recommended Reading

Commentary John Commentaries → Get This Bible Coptic Bohairic NT Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Jesus need to testify about himself?

Jesus is emphasizing the importance of his own testimony and God's confirmation. It shows that he trusts in his mission and identity, reinforcing his role as both a divine messenger and human teacher.

What does it mean for the Father to bear witness?

The Father's witness is about confirming Jesus' authority and truthfulness. This reinforces the idea of God supporting and affirming Jesus in his mission.

How can we apply this verse when facing doubts or criticism?

We can use this as a reminder that our own confidence in what we believe, combined with support from others who know us well (like friends or mentors), is powerful and validating. Just like Jesus trusted his identity and mission, so should we.

What does it mean to 'bear witness'?

To bear witness means to testify or give evidence about something. In this context, Jesus is talking about the validation of his message through both himself and God's confirmation.