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.
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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.
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
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.