King James Version

What Does John 8:49 Mean?

John 8:49 in the King James Version says “Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.” — study this verse from John chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.”

John 8:49 · KJV

Context

47

He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

48

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

49

Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

50

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

51

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Read John 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. Jesus's response is direct, calm, and dignified—neither stooping to counter-insult nor ignoring the charge. "I have not a devil" (ἐγὼ δαιμόνιον οὐκ ἔχω/egō daimonion ouk echō) flatly denies the accusation. The emphatic "I" (ἐγώ) contrasts His true nature with their false charges.

"But I honour my Father" (ἀλλὰ τιμῶ τὸν πατέρα μου/alla timō ton patera mou)—the adversative "but" introduces the reality. Far from being demon-possessed, Jesus perfectly honors (τιμῶ/timō) the Father. This verb means to value, revere, glorify—the fifth commandment's requirement to "honour thy father and mother" (Exodus 20:12). Jesus's entire life embodied Philippians 2:6-8: though equal with God, He humbled Himself in obedience, even to death on a cross. This is the ultimate honoring of the Father: complete submission to His will (John 4:34, 5:30, 6:38).

And ye do dishonour me (ὑμεῖς ἀτιμάζετέ με/hymeis atimazete me)—the emphatic "ye" (ὑμεῖς) contrasts their behavior with His. "Dishonour" (ἀτιμάζω/atimazō) is the opposite of honor—to disgrace, insult, treat with contempt. By rejecting Jesus, they dishonor not merely a man but God's Son, thereby dishonoring the Father who sent Him (5:23: "He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him").

The theological implication is profound: how we treat Jesus reveals how we treat God. To honor Christ is to honor God; to dishonor Christ is to dishonor God. There is no separation between Father and Son (10:30).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's calm response to slander models the suffering servant of Isaiah 53:7—"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." Later, Peter would cite this as an example for persecuted Christians: "When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not" (1 Peter 2:23).

The honor-shame culture of the ancient Mediterranean made public insults especially serious. Honor was a limited commodity competed for in public settings. By not retaliating, Jesus demonstrated kingdom values that inverted worldly honor systems. His honor came not from human acclaim but from obedience to the Father—the only honor that matters.

This exchange also illuminates the fifth commandment's scope. Jesus, the eternal Son, perfectly honored His heavenly Father through incarnation and obedience. Yet Israel's leaders dishonored both God and His Son. Their violation of the first table of the law (duties to God) manifested in violating the second table (duties to neighbor)—they were about to commit murder (v.59).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's response to slander model godly conduct when we face false accusations?
  2. What does it mean practically to 'honor' God through obedience like Jesus did?
  3. How does our treatment of Jesus (through obedience or disobedience to His words) reveal our true attitude toward God the Father?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
ἀπεκρίθη1 of 15

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

Ἰησοῦς2 of 15

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Ἐγὼ3 of 15

“I”

G1473

i, me

δαιμόνιον4 of 15

“a devil”

G1140

a daemonic being; by extension a deity

οὐκ5 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔχω6 of 15

“have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἀλλὰ7 of 15

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

τιμῶ8 of 15

“I honour”

G5091

to prize, i.e., fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere

τὸν9 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα10 of 15

“Father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

μου11 of 15

“my”

G3450

of me

καὶ12 of 15

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑμεῖς13 of 15

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἀτιμάζετέ14 of 15

“do dishonour”

G818

to render infamous, i.e., (by implication) contemn or maltreat

με15 of 15

“me”

G3165

me

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 8:49 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 8:49 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 2:23John 11:4John 13:31-32John 14:13Proverbs 26:4-5Isaiah 49:3

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