John 7:29

KJV

But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} I {G1473} know {G1492} him {G846}: for {G3754} I am {G1510} from {G3844} him {G846}, and he {G2548} hath sent {G649} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I do know him, because I am with him, and he sent me!”

Berean Standard Bible

but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.”

American Standard Version

I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 7:29, Jesus delivers a profound and unequivocal declaration of His divine identity and mission amidst intense scrutiny from the Jewish authorities during the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse serves as a cornerstone of Christology, asserting His intimate, personal knowledge of God the Father, His unique pre-existent origin directly from the Father, and His divinely appointed commission to fulfill God's redemptive plan on Earth. It is a direct challenge to the skepticism of His detractors, revealing the unparalleled depth of His relationship with the God whom they claimed to serve but did not truly know.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful statement by Jesus is situated within a highly charged narrative during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, as detailed in [John 7](/john/7 "John Chapter 7 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles"). Jesus has come to the feast secretly at first, then begins teaching openly in the temple courts, drawing mixed reactions from the crowds and escalating hostility from the Jewish leaders. The immediate preceding verses (John 7:25-28) reveal the crowd's perplexity regarding Jesus' origin. Some wonder if He is the Christ, while others dismiss Him, claiming to know "where this man is from" (John 7:27). This implies a common, earthly origin that, in their minds, disqualifies Him as the Messiah, who they believed would appear mysteriously (John 7:27). Jesus' response in [John 7:28](/john/7-28 "John 7:28 - Jesus' Divine Origin") directly confronts their superficial understanding, stating, "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." Verse 29 then expands on this, providing the theological basis for His authority and challenging their spiritual ignorance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, commemorating Israel's wilderness wanderings and God's provision. It was a time of great national rejoicing, marked by rituals involving water libations and light, which Jesus explicitly references later in [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus, the Source of Living Water") and [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). The Jewish leaders, particularly the Sanhedrin and its members, were the arbiters of religious and doctrinal truth. They were deeply concerned with lineage, rabbinic training, and adherence to tradition as markers of authority. Jesus, a Galilean without formal rabbinic schooling, posed a significant challenge to their established order. Their skepticism about His origin reflected a common belief that the Messiah's coming would be shrouded in mystery, and they struggled to reconcile this with Jesus' known, albeit humble, background. This cultural emphasis on credentials and the prevailing messianic expectations set the stage for their rejection of Jesus' claims.
* **Key Themes:** John 7:29 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation and Knowledge**, asserting Jesus' unique and intimate understanding of the Father, which contrasts sharply with the spiritual blindness of those who claim to know God but reject His Son (as seen in [John 8:19](/john/8-19 "John 8:19 - Knowing Jesus Means Knowing the Father")). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Sonship and Origin**, emphasizing Jesus' pre-existence and direct emanation from God, not merely a human birth. This is foundational to John's Christology, echoing the prologue's declaration that the Word was "with God, and the Word was God" ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Eternal Word")). Thirdly, the verse highlights the theme of **Divine Commission and Authority**, portraying Jesus as the one "sent" by the Father. This concept of being "sent" (ἀποστέλλω) is pervasive in John, validating Jesus' teachings, miracles, and redemptive work as the direct will and purpose of God ([John 5:36-37](/john/5-36-37 "John 5:36-37 - The Father's Testimony to Jesus")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This word, G1492, signifies an intuitive, complete, and experiential knowledge, rather than mere intellectual acquaintance or factual recognition (which would typically be _ginosko_). In the perfect tense, as used here, it implies a settled, abiding knowledge. Jesus' use of _eídō_ here highlights the depth and intimacy of His unique, personal, and exhaustive understanding of God the Father, stemming from His eternal relationship as the Son. It is a claim to absolute, inherent knowledge, not acquired learning.
* **from (Greek, _pará'_):** The preposition G3844, _pará_, when used with the genitive case as it is here ("from beside"), denotes origin, source, or proximity. It emphasizes a direct, personal emanation or sending from the Father's very presence. This is not merely a general sense of being created by God or being sent by God in the way a prophet might be; rather, it speaks to Jesus' unique, pre-existent origin and His being of the same essence as the Father, coming directly from Him in a way no other being can.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This verb, G649, means "to send out, properly, on a mission." It implies a deliberate commission and authority. Jesus' declaration that the Father "hath sent me" underscores His role as the divinely appointed Messiah and the Father's agent. His presence on Earth, His teachings, and His actions are not self-initiated but are the direct fulfillment of the Father's will and purpose. This validates His entire ministry and establishes His supreme authority as the one uniquely commissioned for the work of redemption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I know him":** This is a direct and emphatic counter-assertion to the Jewish leaders' claim not to know Jesus' origin (John 7:27-28). The "But" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a strong contrast. Jesus claims an intimate, perfect, and inherent knowledge of God the Father. This is not merely intellectual understanding but a relational, experiential knowledge that flows from His divine nature and eternal communion with the Father. It signifies a unique, unparalleled bond, far exceeding any human comprehension of God.
* **"for I am from him":** This clause provides the foundational reason for Jesus' profound knowledge of the Father. His knowledge is not learned; it is intrinsic to His being because He originates directly from the Father. The phrase "I am from him" (ἐγὼ παρ' αὐτοῦ εἰμι) points to Jesus' pre-existence and divine nature, emphasizing that He did not merely come into existence at His human birth but eternally proceeds from the Father. This is a powerful declaration of His divine Sonship and His essential unity with God.
* **"and he hath sent me":** This final clause clarifies the purpose of Jesus' divine origin and His presence on Earth. His coming is not accidental or self-willed, but a deliberate, divine commission from the Father. This "sending" (G649, _apostéllō_) implies authority, purpose, and a specific mission. Jesus is the Father's appointed agent, the Messiah, sent to reveal God, to accomplish redemption, and to bring humanity into a right relationship with the Father. This validates all His claims, teachings, and actions as divinely authorized and purposed.

#### Literary Devices
John 7:29 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The verse functions as a powerful **Assertion** and **Declaration**, where Jesus, with absolute authority, directly confronts the ignorance and skepticism of His audience. This directness creates a dramatic **Contrast** between Jesus' perfect knowledge of God and the Jewish leaders' spiritual blindness, despite their religious claims. Furthermore, the structure of the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, linking Jesus' origin ("I am from him") with His mission ("and he hath sent me"). This pairing underscores the inseparable connection between His divine identity and His redemptive purpose. The entire statement is also rich in **Christological Language**, using concise phrases to make expansive claims about His pre-existence, divine Sonship, and messianic commission, thereby revealing His unique relationship with the Father and His ultimate authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 7:29 is a pivotal verse for understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ. Theologically, it underpins the doctrine of the **Trinity**, revealing the distinct yet unified persons of the Father and the Son, bound by an eternal relationship of knowledge, origin, and purpose. Jesus' claim of intimate knowledge and direct origin from the Father speaks to His co-equality and co-eternality with God, establishing His divine nature. His being "sent" by the Father highlights the Father's initiative in redemption and Jesus' obedient fulfillment of that divine will. This verse establishes Jesus as the ultimate and exclusive revealer of God, the one through whom all true knowledge of the Father is mediated. It asserts that to truly know God, one must know Jesus, for He is the very embodiment and emissary of the Father.

* [John 10:15](/john/10-15 "Reciprocal Knowledge of Father and Son")
* [John 8:42](/john/8-42 "Jesus Came from God")
* [John 5:36](/john/5-36 "The Father's Witness to Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 7:29 invites believers into a deeper understanding and trust in Jesus' unique authority and perfect understanding of God. Since Jesus "knows" the Father intimately and was "sent" by Him, His teachings, commands, and promises are not merely human wisdom but divine truth, utterly trustworthy and authoritative. This verse calls us to move beyond a superficial or intellectual acquaintance with Jesus, urging us to recognize Him as the very Son of God, who fully and perfectly reveals the Father to us. Our faith is thus grounded not in human speculation or tradition, but in His divine origin and mission, offering unparalleled hope, clarity, and truth about God's character and His redemptive plan for humanity. It challenges us to align our understanding of God with the revelation given through Jesus, trusting that He, being from the Father and sent by Him, is the only true path to knowing God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' claim of intimate knowledge of the Father challenge or deepen your own understanding of God?**
* **In what ways does recognizing Jesus' divine origin and mission impact your trust in His teachings and authority?**
* **If Jesus is the one "sent" by the Father, how does this truth shape your understanding of your own mission or purpose as a follower of Christ?**
* **Considering the skepticism of the Jewish leaders, what spiritual blind spots might prevent us from fully recognizing and embracing Jesus' divine claims today?**

### FAQ

**Why is Jesus' origin so important to His claims and authority?**

Answer: Jesus' origin is paramount because it directly speaks to His identity and the source of His authority. If Jesus were merely a human prophet or teacher, His claims to speak for God would be subject to human fallibility. However, by declaring "I am from him, and he hath sent me" ([John 7:29](/john/7-29 "John 7:29 - Jesus' Divine Origin and Mission")), Jesus asserts a unique, pre-existent, and divine origin directly from God the Father. This means His words are not merely inspired, but are the very words of God; His actions are not just miraculous, but are the Father's work through Him. His divine origin establishes His inherent authority, making Him the ultimate revelation of God and the sole mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")). Without this divine origin, His sacrifice would lack infinite value, and His resurrection would not guarantee eternal life for believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 7:29 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' role as the perfect revealer and reconciler of humanity to God. Because Jesus "knows" the Father intimately and "is from Him," He alone is qualified to reveal the Father's true nature, character, and redemptive plan. He is the visible image of the invisible God, the one through whom the Father's glory shines forth ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God"); [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). His being "sent" by the Father culminates in His atoning death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, which fully accomplished the Father's mission to save humanity from sin and reconcile them to Himself ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated"); [2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). Thus, John 7:29 is not merely a statement of identity, but a foundational truth for the gospel: the one who perfectly knows God and came directly from Him was sent precisely to make God known to us and to bring us into eternal fellowship with Him through His life, death, and resurrection ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life"); [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God and Jesus Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 8:55

Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

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 17:25

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

John 17:26

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John 1:18

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

John 17:18

As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

John 6:46

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.