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Commentaries
English
John
  
25They said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Even what I have told you from the beginning.26I have much to say about you and much to judge; but He who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from Him."27They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father.


Despite Christ’s insistence on his deity, the Jews persisted in asking, "Who are you? Give us a pointer; clarify the issue in a way that we can grasp!" Yet he had already just before their questioning revealed himself as clearly as possible.
Jesus replied, "From the first, I am the true God; yet you failed to understand my words. My Spirit has not gained a foothold in your hearts. You have no use for my revelations regarding my names and attributes. I am God’s incarnate word. But you do not hear me or understand, because you are from the world below, not from God. So you will not permit my Spirit to create a new attentiveness in you. That I have spoken repeatedly to you has not availed much, since you are hard-hearted. For that reason my words will judge you, even though I love you and reveal myself to you. One or two of you may begin to realize my majesty. I desire to save and revive you. God is the truth, as I am. But that truth will destroy you, since you reject the Spirit’s descent into your hearts." Still the Jews did not grasp the hidden meaning of these revelations, nor discern the import of his union with the Father. They heard his words and understood nothing, because they would not believe in him. Simple faith in him reveals to our minds his obvious truths.