King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Surely not — we know where this man comes from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he comes from.”
Berean Standard Bible:
But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.”
American Standard Version:
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Howbeit{G235} we know{G1492} this man{G5126} whence{G4159} he is{G2076}: but{G1161} when{G3752} Christ{G5547} cometh{G2064}, no man{G3762} knoweth{G1097} whence{G4159} he is{G2076}.
Cross-References (KJV):
John 7:41
- Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
John 7:42
- Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
Micah 5:2
- But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.
John 9:29
- We know that God spake unto Moses: [as for] this [fellow], we know not from whence he is.
John 6:42
- And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
Matthew 13:54
- And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?
Matthew 13:57
- And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
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Commentary for John 7:27
John 7:27, "But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from," is a verse that captures a moment of contention and misunderstanding among the people of Jerusalem regarding Jesus' identity and the messianic expectations of the time. The historical context of this verse is set during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival. Jesus, who has been gaining attention and followers through his teachings and miracles, is the subject of debate among the crowds.
The themes present in this verse include the nature of messianic revelation and the human tendency to judge by appearances. The people speaking in this verse express a common belief that the Messiah would appear suddenly and mysteriously, without a known lineage or origin, as prophesied in Malachi 3:1. They contrast this expectation with Jesus, whom they believe they know because of his familial ties to Nazareth (John 7:40-43, 52). This skepticism highlights a lack of recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, despite the signs he performed.
The verse underscores the tension between divine revelation and human expectation. It reflects the broader Johannine theme that true understanding of Jesus' identity comes from divine revelation and spiritual insight rather than from human knowledge or tradition (John 6:44; 1:10-11). Jesus' true origin, being from God the Father (John 8:42), is veiled to those who do not have the spiritual discernment to see beyond his earthly circumstances. This misunderstanding of Jesus' origin is emblematic of the larger struggle the Jewish leaders and the people have in accepting him as the Messiah, a struggle that persists throughout the Gospel of John.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. - Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G5126
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τοῦτον
Transliteration: toûton
Pronunciation: too'-ton
Description: accusative case singular masculine of οὗτος; this (person, as objective of verb or preposition):--him, the same, that, this. - Strong's Number: G4159
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πόθεν
Transliteration: póthen
Pronunciation: poth'-en
Description: from the base of πόσις with enclitic adverb of origin; from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause:--whence. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G3752
There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅταν
Transliteration: hótan
Pronunciation: hot'-an
Description: from ὅτε and ἄν; whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as:--as long (soon) as, that, + till, when(-soever), while. - Strong's Number: G5547
There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Χριστός
Transliteration: Christós
Pronunciation: khris-tos'
Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ. - Strong's Number: G2064
There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔρχομαι
Transliteration: érchomai
Pronunciation: el'-tho
Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set. - Strong's Number: G3762
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐδείς
Transliteration: oudeís
Pronunciation: oo-den'
Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought. - Strong's Number: G1097
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γινώσκω
Transliteration: ginṓskō
Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.