John 8:43 net — Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.

NET Bible

"Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching."

— John 8:43, NET Bible

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John 8:43 in Other Translations

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John 8 — Context

40

But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this!

41

You people are doing the deeds of your father.”Then they said to Jesus,“We were not born as a result of immorality! We have only one Father, God himself.”

42

Jesus replied,“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God and am now here. I have not come on my own initiative, but he sent me.

43

Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.

44

You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

45

But because I am telling you the truth, you do not believe me.

46

Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?

John 8:43 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does John 8:43 say?
John 8:43 in the NET Bible reads: “Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.”
Where is John 8:43 in the Bible?
John 8:43 is found in the New Testament, in the book of John, chapter 8, verse 43.
Who wrote John?
John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee. It was written c. AD 85–95.
What is the book of John about?
John's Gospel opens not in Bethlehem but "in the beginning," declaring Jesus to be the eternal Word made flesh. Through seven sign-miracles and seven "I AM" sayings, it presents Jesus as the bread, the light, the way, and the resurrection — that we might believe and have life in his name.
What are the major themes of John?
John explores themes including Word Made Flesh, Belief, Eternal Life, I AM, Love. These themes shape the meaning and context of John 8:43.
What translation should I read John 8:43 in?
John 8:43 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize John 8:43?
John 8:43 reads (NET): “Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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