John 2:22

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

When {G3753} therefore {G3767} he was risen {G1453} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, his {G846} disciples {G3101} remembered {G3415} that {G3754} he had said {G3004} this {G5124} unto them {G846}; and {G2532} they believed {G4100} the scripture {G1124}, and {G2532} the word {G3056} which {G3739} Jesus {G2424} had said {G2036}.

Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his talmidim remembered that he had said this, and they trusted in the Tanakh and in what Yeshua had said.

After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Commentary

John 2:22 marks a pivotal moment in the disciples' understanding, occurring after Jesus' resurrection. This verse highlights the profound impact of that event on their perception of Jesus' earlier teachings and the Old Testament prophecies.

Context

This verse directly follows Jesus' first cleansing of the Temple, where He prophesied, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." At the time, the Jewish leaders and even His disciples misunderstood Him, thinking He spoke of the physical temple building. The Gospel of John clarifies that Jesus was speaking of "the temple of his body" (John 2:21). Their full comprehension was delayed until the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Key Themes

  • Remembrance and Understanding: The resurrection served as a catalyst, unlocking the disciples' memory and enabling them to correctly interpret Jesus' words. This shows how divine events often illuminate previously obscure truths, bringing clarity where there was once confusion.
  • Resurrection as Validation: Jesus' rising from the dead was the ultimate proof of His divine authority and the truthfulness of His claims. It was the cornerstone event that validated His entire ministry and teachings. Without the resurrection, Christian faith is vain.
  • Belief in Scripture and Jesus' Word: The disciples' belief was twofold: they believed the Old Testament Scriptures (which prophesied Messiah's suffering and resurrection) and they believed the specific words Jesus had spoken. This signifies the seamless unity of God's revelation through ancient prophecy and through His Son.
  • Divine Fulfillment: The event underscores that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were not accidental but part of God's sovereign plan, foretold centuries earlier and perfectly executed.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "believed" (episteusan) implies a deep, settled conviction and trust, not just intellectual assent. It signifies a faith that was solidified and transformed by the reality of the resurrection. The phrase "his disciples remembered" (emnesthesan) points to an active recall and new understanding of something previously heard but not fully grasped, indicating a divine opening of their minds.

Practical Application

John 2:22 offers several profound lessons for believers today:

  • Patience in Understanding: Just as the disciples' understanding came in God's perfect timing, we too may not immediately grasp all of God's plans or the full meaning of His Word. Trust that clarity will come when it's needed, often through the Holy Spirit's illumination.
  • The Centrality of the Resurrection: This verse reaffirms the resurrection as the bedrock of Christian faith. It is the definitive proof of Jesus' identity and power, giving hope and meaning to our belief. It confirms that God raised Jesus from the dead, offering salvation and victory over sin and death.
  • The Reliability of God's Word: The fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy, and its alignment with Old Testament Scriptures, underscores the absolute trustworthiness of the Bible. What God has promised, He will surely bring to pass, reinforcing the foundation of our faith.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 12:16

    These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and [that] they had done these things unto him.

  • Luke 24:7

    Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

  • Luke 24:8

    And they remembered his words,

  • John 14:26

    But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

  • John 16:4

    But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

  • Psalms 16:10

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • John 2:17

    And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
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