John 8:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They did not understand that he was talking to them about the Father.

Berean Standard Bible:

They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.

American Standard Version:

They perceived not that he spake to them of the Father.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

They understood^{G1097} not^{G3756} that^{G3754} he spake^{G3004} to them^{G846} of the Father^{G3962}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for John 8:27

John 8:27 is a verse set within the broader context of Jesus' discourse in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their dependence on God's provision. In this particular verse, the pronoun "he" refers to Jesus, who is engaging with the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders who are questioning His authority and the source of His teachings.

The theme of misunderstanding is central to this verse. The phrase "They understood not that he spake to them of the Father" highlights the spiritual blindness of Jesus' interlocutors. Despite Jesus' repeated references to God as His Father, which in Jewish thought would imply a close, intimate relationship, the religious leaders fail to grasp the profound implications of His words. They do not recognize that Jesus is speaking of a divine Father-Son relationship that is unique and indicative of His divine origin and nature.

Historically, this verse reflects the tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment of His time. The leaders' inability to comprehend Jesus' teachings about His relationship with God the Father underscores a recurring motif in the Gospel of John: the contrast between light and darkness, understanding and ignorance, belief and unbelief. John 8:27 captures a moment where the audience, bound by their preconceived notions and expectations of the Messiah, cannot see beyond the literal to perceive the spiritual truth that Jesus embodies and teaches.

In summary, John 8:27 encapsulates the spiritual disconnect between Jesus and the religious authorities of the time. It underscores the theme of revelation and misunderstanding, as Jesus' audience fails to apprehend the true significance of His words concerning His divine Father. This verse is emblematic of the broader narrative in the Gospel of John, which presents Jesus as the divine Son of God whose message is often met with confusion and rejection by those who cannot see beyond their established religious paradigms.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3962
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πατήρ
   Transliteration: patḗr
   Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.