What Jesus Said About Truth, Evidence & Falsehood (32 Teachings)

God's testimony concerning the Son is greater than human testimony.

Read the Scripture John 5:31–37; 8:18

King James Version

John 5:31–37

³¹If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
³²There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
³³Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
³⁴But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
³⁵He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
³⁶But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
³⁷And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

John 8:18

¹⁸I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

Scripture bears witness to Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 5:39–40, 46

King James Version

John 5:39–40, 46

³⁹Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
⁴⁰And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
⁴⁶For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

The Spirit of truth proceeds from the Father and testifies about Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 15:26

King James Version

John 15:26

²⁶But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

The Spirit guides disciples into truth, speaks what he hears, and glorifies Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 16:13–15

King James Version

John 16:13–15

¹³Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
¹⁴He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
¹⁵All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

God's word is truth.

Read the Scripture John 17:17

King James Version

John 17:17

¹⁷Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Read the Scripture John 14:6

King James Version

John 14:6

⁶Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth.

Read the Scripture John 18:37

King James Version

John 18:37

³⁷Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Everyone who is of the truth listens to Jesus' voice.

Read the Scripture John 18:37

King James Version

John 18:37

³⁷Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Knowing the truth brings freedom.

Read the Scripture John 8:32–36

King James Version

John 8:32–36

³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
³³They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
³⁴Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
³⁵And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
³⁶If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

A disciple's "yes" or "no" should be reliable without manipulative oaths.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:33–37

King James Version

Matthew 5:33–37

³³Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
³⁴But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
³⁵Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
³⁶Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
³⁷But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

False prophets are known by their fruit.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:15–20

King James Version

Matthew 7:15–20

¹⁵Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
¹⁶Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
¹⁷Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
¹⁸A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
¹⁹Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
²⁰Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Scripture provides sufficient moral warning; spectacular signs do not guarantee repentance.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:27–31

King James Version

Luke 16:27–31

²⁷Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
²⁸For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
²⁹Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
³⁰And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
³¹And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Woe when everyone speaks well of you, because false prophets received such approval.

Read the Scripture Luke 6:26

King James Version

Luke 6:26

²⁶Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Murderous falsehood morally resembles the devil.

Read the Scripture John 8:41–44

King James Version

John 8:41–44

⁴¹Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
⁴²Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
⁴³Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The devil is a murderer and father of lies.

Read the Scripture John 8:44

King James Version

John 8:44

⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Claiming spiritual sight while rejecting truth leaves a person accountable for blindness.

Read the Scripture John 9:39–41

King James Version

John 9:39–41

³⁹And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
⁴⁰And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
⁴¹Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Many false Christs will come and deceive many.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:4–5, 23–26; Mark 13:5–6, 21–23; Luke 21:8

King James Version

Matthew 24:4–5, 23–26

⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
⁵For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
²³Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
²⁵Behold, I have told you before.
²⁶Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Mark 13:5–6, 21–23

⁵And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
⁶For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
²¹And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
²²For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
²³But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Luke 21:8

⁸And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

False prophets will arise and deceive many.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:11, 24

King James Version

Matthew 24:11, 24

¹¹And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Do not believe claims that Christ's return is hidden in a private location.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:23–26; Mark 13:21–23

King James Version

Matthew 24:23–26

²³Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
²⁵Behold, I have told you before.
²⁶Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Mark 13:21–23

²¹And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
²²For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
²³But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

The risen Jesus provides bodily evidence that he is not a mere spirit.

Read the Scripture Luke 24:38–43; John 20:20, 27

King James Version

Luke 24:38–43

³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
³⁹Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
⁴⁰And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
⁴¹And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
⁴²And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
⁴³And he took it, and did eat before them.

John 20:20, 27

²⁰And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
²⁷Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

See that no one leads you astray about the end.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:4; Mark 13:5; Luke 21:8

King James Version

Matthew 24:4

⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mark 13:5

⁵And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Luke 21:8

⁸And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Practicing truth brings a person into the light.

Read the Scripture John 3:21

King James Version

John 3:21

²¹But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John the Baptist was a burning and shining lamp, but Jesus has greater testimony in his works.

Read the Scripture John 5:33–36

King James Version

John 5:33–36

³³Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
³⁴But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
³⁵He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
³⁶But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

The Father's testimony and Scripture expose unbelief toward Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 5:37–40

King James Version

John 5:37–40

³⁷And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
³⁸And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
³⁹Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
⁴⁰And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

The one who seeks the sender's glory rather than his own is true.

Read the Scripture John 7:18

King James Version

John 7:18

¹⁸He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Jesus' testimony is valid because he knows his origin and destiny and is corroborated by the Father.

Read the Scripture John 8:14–18

King James Version

John 8:14–18

¹⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
¹⁵Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
¹⁶And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
¹⁷It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
¹⁸I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

False shepherds enter illegitimately and harm the flock.

Read the Scripture John 10:1, 8, 10

King James Version

John 10:1, 8, 10

¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
⁸All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth because it neither sees nor knows him.

Read the Scripture John 14:17

King James Version

John 14:17

¹⁷Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The Spirit and the apostles together bear witness to Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 15:26–27

King James Version

John 15:26–27

²⁶But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
²⁷And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Sanctification in truth equips disciples for mission.

Read the Scripture John 17:17–19

King James Version

John 17:17–19

¹⁷Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
¹⁸As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Jesus tells truth even when it provokes powerful opponents.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23; John 8

King James Version

Matthew 23

¹Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
²Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
³All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
⁴For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
⁵But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
⁶And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
⁷And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
⁸But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
¹²And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
¹³But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
¹⁴Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
¹⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
¹⁶Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
¹⁷Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
¹⁸And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
¹⁹Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
²⁰Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
²¹And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
²²And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
²³Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
²⁴Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
²⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
²⁸Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
²⁹Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
³⁰And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
³¹Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
³²Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
³³Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
³⁴Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
³⁵That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
³⁶Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
³⁷O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
³⁸Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
³⁹For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

John 8

¹Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
²And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
³And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
⁴They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
⁵Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
⁶This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
⁷So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
⁸And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
⁹And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
¹⁰When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
¹¹She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
¹²Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
¹³The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
¹⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
¹⁵Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
¹⁶And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
¹⁷It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
¹⁸I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
¹⁹Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
²⁰These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
²¹Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
²²Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
²³And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
²⁴I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
²⁵Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
²⁶I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
²⁷They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
²⁸Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
²⁹And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
³⁰As he spake these words, many believed on him.
³¹Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
³³They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
³⁴Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
³⁵And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
³⁶If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
³⁷I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
³⁸I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
³⁹They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
⁴⁰But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
⁴¹Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
⁴²Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
⁴³Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
⁴⁵And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
⁴⁶Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
⁴⁷He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
⁴⁸Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
⁴⁹Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
⁵⁰And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
⁵¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
⁵²Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
⁵³Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
⁵⁴Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
⁵⁵Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
⁵⁶Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
⁵⁷Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
⁵⁸Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
⁵⁹Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Textual note: John 7:53–8:11 (the woman caught in adultery) is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts. Matthew 23:14 is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Jesus is truthful about the cost of following him and does not recruit through false promises of comfort.

Read the Scripture Matthew 8:19–22; Luke 9:57–62; 14:25–33

King James Version

Matthew 8:19–22

¹⁹And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
²⁰And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
²¹And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
²²But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Luke 9:57–62

⁵⁷And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
⁵⁸And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
⁵⁹And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
⁶⁰Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
⁶¹And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
⁶²And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 14:25–33

²⁵And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
²⁶If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
²⁹Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
³⁰Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
³¹Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
³²Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
³³So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

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