John 7:27

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

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}.

Surely not — we know where this man comes from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he comes from.”

But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.”

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is.

Commentary

John 7:27 presents a moment of profound irony and misunderstanding during Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem. The people, gathered for the Feast of Tabernacles, debated Jesus' identity and origin, reflecting common Messianic expectations of their time.

Context

This verse takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival in Jerusalem. Jesus had come up to the feast secretly at first (John 7:10), but later began teaching openly in the temple. His teaching and miracles sparked intense debate among the crowds. The people here are expressing a widely held belief: that the Messiah's appearance would be sudden and mysterious, with no one knowing his earthly origins. They contrast this with their perceived knowledge of Jesus' background, having seen Him grow up in Nazareth, Galilee. This belief fueled their skepticism about Jesus being the Christ, as they thought they "knew whence he is."

Key Themes

  • Misconceptions about the Messiah: The verse highlights the popular Jewish expectation that the Messiah's origin would be unknown or hidden. This contrasts sharply with prophecies that clearly identified his birthplace (e.g., Micah 5:2 foretold Bethlehem) and lineage.
  • The True Mystery of Christ's Origin: Ironically, while the people thought they knew Jesus' origin, they were blind to His true, divine origin. They knew His earthly hometown but not that He came "from God" (John 8:42). Their human knowledge obscured the profound spiritual truth of His pre-existence and deity.
  • Human Perception vs. Divine Revelation: The verse underscores the tension between what people think they know based on appearances and what God reveals. Their focus on earthly origins prevented them from recognizing the Son of God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "whence he is" (Greek: pothen estin) literally means "from where he is." It speaks to origin or source. The people's statement indicates their belief that they had a complete understanding of Jesus' source – His earthly family and hometown. The irony lies in their ignorance of His ultimate, divine source, which Jesus repeatedly affirmed throughout John's Gospel.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder not to let preconceived notions or superficial knowledge blind us to deeper spiritual truths. Just as the people in Jerusalem missed Jesus' true identity because of their limited understanding, we too can miss God's work in our lives if we rely solely on our own expectations or worldly perspectives. It encourages us to always seek a deeper understanding of Christ, beyond what is immediately apparent, and to be open to God's revelation, even when it challenges our assumptions. Understanding Jesus' divine nature and origin is foundational to true faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 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.
← Back