John 8:47 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

He that is of God heareth God’s words. — Again He answers the question which He has Himself asked, and gives more fully the same reason which He gave in John 8:43. In John 8:44 He asserted that they were of the father the devil, and therefore lived to do the lusts of the devil. In the same way he who is of God does the will of God, and hears the words of God. The words of God are those which He has been speaking unto them (John 8:26). Here, then, is the answer to the question, “Why do ye not believe Me?” Rabbis and priests, teachers of the Law, judges of truth, offerers of sacrifice, keepers of feasts, worshippers in synagogues and Temple — they were all this; but they were not “of God.”