The question of how Jesus can also be God, while addressing Himself as a man in John 8:40, touches upon the profound mystery of the Incarnation. The Bible teaches that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This dual nature is a cornerstone of Christian theology, articulated in scriptures that affirm His divinity and His humanity.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) This passage from the Gospel of John affirms Jesus’ divine nature, identifying Him as the Word (Logos) who was both with God and was God. The Incarnation of the Word is further clarified in John 1:14: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. This demonstrates the mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus, the Word, takes on human flesh without relinquishing His divine nature.

Paul also speaks to this mystery in Philippians 2:6-7, which describes Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. This passage highlights Jesus’ humility and His willing acceptance of human limitations, while still retaining His divine essence.

The doctrine of the Trinity further illuminates this question. The Trinity describes one God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, yet there is only one God. This concept, while difficult to fully comprehend, is foundational to understanding the Christian faith and the nature of Jesus as both God and man.

Thus, when Jesus speaks in John 8:40 as a man who has told the truth he heard from God, He is operating within His human nature, communicating in a way that is accessible to His listeners, yet without compromising His divinity. Jesus’ mission involved revealing God to humanity, providing a bridge between God and man through His life, death, and resurrection. This unique position allows Jesus to be the mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), fulfilling the prophecy and the promise of a Savior who is both God with us (Matthew 1:23) and the one who experienced human life and suffering.

In John 8:40, Jesus speaks to those who have been challenging Him, saying, “But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.” In this passage, Jesus contrasts His accusers’ intentions with the legacy of Abraham, implying that their actions are not in line with the faith and righteousness Abraham exemplified. Jesus emphasizes His connection to the Father and His role in speaking truth that comes directly from God. This verse highlights the conflict between Jesus and some of the Jewish leaders of His time, who refused to accept Him as the Messiah despite the truths He spoke and the signs He performed. Jesus points out their inconsistency and deviation from the faith of their ancestor Abraham, who is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for his faithfulness to God.