Charles Ellicott Commentary John 8:45

"But because I say the truth, ye believe me not." — John 8:45 (ASV)

And because I tell you the truth.—The pronoun is full of emphatic meaning. And I, as contrary to him, because I tell you the truth, as contrary to the lie which is his characteristic.

You believe me not—that is, you believe not what I say. It does not mean, You believe not on Me, but You accept not the truth which I speak.

There is something startling in this sharp opposition of truth and unbelief. To speak the truth is commonly to command belief. The mind of man is so constituted that truth is the first object of its search.

Here was perfect truth presented to men, and they refused to accept it, because it was the truth, and they were themselves children of him who was a liar.