Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 8:19

"They said therefore unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye know neither me, nor my Father: if ye knew me, ye would know my Father also." — John 8:19 (ASV)

Whether the Pharisees’ question here is a bewildered inquiry or an intentional insult is hard to determine, though in Eastern culture, to question a man’s paternity is a definite slur on his legitimacy. It may be unwise to read into this question more hostility than is necessary (but see also v.41). Jesus was referring to God, and the Pharisees were unwilling to admit that he had so intimate a relation with God. Jesus asserted that the knowledge of the Father depended on knowing him. As the one whom the Father had sent (v.18), Jesus claimed to be an adequate and authoritative representative.