Charles Ellicott Commentary John 8:26

"I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world." — John 8:26 (ASV)

I have many things to say and to judge of you. The order of thought here is not certain, and will depend, in part, upon the interpretation we give to the previous verse. These words seem to arise from their judgment of Him, as expressed in their scornful question, “Who are you?” He has, indeed, immediately before (John 8:23), spoken of them. He is about to do so again in this discourse. There are present to His mind now many things to say concerning them, and these, if said, would be words of condemnation; but He refrains. There is also present to His mind the great work He had to do—to speak to the world the eternal truth of God.

But he that sent me is true. The words express a marked contrast to the words and thoughts with which He would come in contact, if He spoke and judged concerning them. They refer to the calm repose of the divine life in heaven, as contrasted with the misunderstandings and objections with which the manifestation of that life on earth had been encompassed. He turns from them to the thought of Him who sent Him, and who is true.

And I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. Better, I speak to the world the things which I heard from Him. This is the truth brought into and announced in the world, which was heard during the pre-incarnate life with the Father. (John 8:38).