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

John 8:18-20

In this short passage, Jesus reveals not only Who He is but the true nature of His accusers.

As we have previously seen, Jesus can bear testimony about Himself alone because He is God. However, He gives other witnesses to His testimony each time He makes a claim. Jesus can point to John the Baptist, who heard the Father speak from heaven. He can also point to the works that He does as a testimony of Who He is.

In this case, Jesus appeals to the Father. John heard the Father speak from heaven, and the works that Jesus does confirm that He must have been sent from the Father. But the Pharisees can’t figure this out. Why?

It is because they are not of the Father. These men are dead in their sins and have no spiritual life or understanding. There is no other explanation for what Jesus is saying or the miracles that He is performing. He has to be God! 

But the dead men cannot see this. 

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1st Corinthians 2:14

Notice that the Apostle Paul does not say that the natural man will not. The natural man cannot because he does not have the spiritual ears to hear.

Therefore, while Jesus is declaring that He truly is the Son of God, His statement also exposes the true nature of these men seeking to destroy Him. Further, Jesus does this out in the open. They are in the area of the Temple where everyone can go to give money so this is no private conversation!

Jesus is letting the regular people know that He is not afraid of the religious leaders so they do not have to be either.