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John 8:50

ESV Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.
NIV I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.
NASB But I am not seeking My glory; there is One who seeks it, and judges.
CSB I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and judges.
NLT And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge.
KJV And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

What does John 8:50 mean?

Jerusalem's local religious leaders are absolutely committed to reject Jesus' message, because it is not what they want to hear (John 8:43). That hatred for the truth, along with dishonesty and violence (John 8:44) prove that these men are the spiritual children of the devil, not of God (John 8:39). They are more interested in protecting their reputation, and destroying their enemies, than they are in following the actual truths revealed by God (John 8:40). Jesus, on the other hand, has shown that His every word and deed are meant to bring glory to God, not to Himself.

At the same time, "there is One who seeks [to glorify Jesus]," and this is God the Father (John 8:54). That will be accomplished as Jesus continues to follow the timetable God has set (John 7:6–8), and by submitting to the work God has given Him to do (John 8:28–29).

Jesus' comment here about God being the judge is brief and often overlooked. However, in the context of this conversation, it is extremely important. The men arguing with Jesus at this moment are beyond reason (Matthew 7:6) and have begun to use vile insults (John 8:41; 8:48). Jesus' remark defers judgment for those actions to God (Romans 12:19). Instead of becoming flustered or enraged, Jesus shrugs those slurs off and leaves the consequences to God.

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