John 7:28

Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

Then {G3767} cried {G2896} Jesus {G2424} in {G1722} the temple {G2411} as he taught {G1321},{G2532} saying {G3004}, Ye both {G2504} know me {G1492}, and {G2532} ye know {G1492} whence {G4159} I am {G1510}: and {G2532} I am {G2064} not {G3756} come {G2064} of {G575} myself {G1683}, but {G235} he that sent {G3992} me {G3165} is {G2076} true {G228}, whom {G3739} ye {G5210} know {G1492} not {G3756}.

Whereupon Yeshua, continuing to teach in the Temple courts, cried out, “Indeed you do know me! And you know where I’m from! And I have not come on my own! The One who sent me is real. But him you don’t know!

Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him,

Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

John 7:28 KJV Commentary

Context

This verse takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2) in Jerusalem, where Jesus is teaching publicly in the Temple. The crowd and the religious leaders are intensely debating His identity and authority. Many are questioning whether He is the Messiah, partly because they believe they know His earthly origin (Nazareth), which conflicts with their expectations for the Christ's mysterious arrival. Jesus's response in this verse is a direct and forceful address to these very doubts, delivered with a loud voice, indicated by the Greek word ekrazo (ἐκράζω), meaning "to cry out" or "proclaim loudly."

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Paradox of Knowing Jesus: Jesus confronts His audience's superficial understanding. They claim to "know" Him (His physical presence, His family, His hometown), and "whence" He is (Nazareth). However, this earthly knowledge blinds them to His true, divine origin. This highlights the difference between casual acquaintance and true spiritual insight.
  • Divine Commission and Authority: Jesus emphatically states, "I am not come of myself." This is a recurring declaration throughout John's Gospel, emphasizing that His mission, words, and works are not self-initiated but directly from God the Father. He acts under the Father's absolute authority and will (John 5:30, John 8:42).
  • The True Sender is "True": The phrase "he that sent me is true" uses the Greek word alēthinos (ἀληθινός), which means not merely "not false," but "genuine," "real," or "authentic." Jesus asserts that the God who sent Him is the very embodiment of truth and reality, establishing the absolute veracity of His own claims and mission.
  • Ignorance of God: Despite their religious devotion and knowledge of the Scriptures, Jesus reveals a profound spiritual blindness among His listeners: "whom ye know not." This is a stark indictment, suggesting that their outward religiosity did not translate into an intimate, saving knowledge of the one true God, the Father who sent Jesus. This theme is echoed elsewhere, such as in John 1:10.

Linguistic Insights

The verb "cried" (KJV) comes from the Greek ekrazo (ἐκράζω), which implies a loud, public, and perhaps urgent declaration. It's not a casual statement but a passionate pronouncement designed to grab attention in the bustling Temple courts. The word "true" (alēthinos, ἀληθινός) for God carries the connotation of absolute authenticity and reliability, emphasizing God's faithfulness and unwavering nature, which is fundamental to understanding Jesus's mission.

Practical Application

John 7:28 challenges us to examine the depth of our own understanding of Jesus. Do we truly know Him beyond superficial facts, recognizing His divine origin and the authority of God the Father behind His life and teachings? This verse calls believers to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a genuine, transformative knowledge of God. It reminds us that authentic faith comes from recognizing Jesus not merely as a historical figure, but as the Son sent by the "true" God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 8:42

    Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

  • John 8:19

    Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

  • John 8:26

    I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

  • Jeremiah 9:6

    Thine habitation [is] in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

  • John 8:14

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, [yet] my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

  • Matthew 11:27

    All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].

  • John 17:3

    And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

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