John 8:20

KJV

These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

KJV (with Strong's)

These {G5023} words {G4487} spake {G2980} Jesus {G2424} in {G1722} the treasury {G1049}, as he taught {G1321} in {G1722} the temple {G2411}: and {G2532} no man {G3762} laid hands {G4084} on him {G846}; for {G3754} his {G846} hour {G5610} was {G2064} not yet {G3768} come {G2064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said these things when he was teaching in the Temple treasury room; yet no one arrested him, because his time had not yet come.

Berean Standard Bible

He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.

American Standard Version

These words spake he in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man took him; because his hour was not yet come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 8:20 provides crucial geographical and chronological details within Jesus's ministry, noting that He spoke these words in the temple treasury while teaching. Despite the escalating hostility from the religious authorities and their desire to apprehend Him, the verse emphatically states that no one laid hands on Jesus. This inability to seize Him is attributed to the divine timing, as "his hour was not yet come," underscoring God's sovereign control over the events leading to Christ's ultimate sacrifice and glorification.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant discourse between Jesus and the Pharisees, which began in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). Jesus had just declared Himself "the light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")) and asserted His divine origin and unique relationship with the Father ([John 8:14-19](/john/8-14-19 "John 8:14-19 - Jesus's Testimony and Divine Origin")). His claims directly challenged the authority and understanding of the Jewish leaders, provoking their intense opposition and desire to seize Him. John 8:20 serves as a summary statement, highlighting the immediate consequence of this confrontation: despite their animosity, they were powerless to act against Jesus because of God's sovereign timing. It sets the stage for further heated exchanges in [John 8:21-59](/john/8-21-59 "John 8:21-59 - Further Debates with the Jews"), where Jesus continues to confront their unbelief and reveal His true identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "treasury" (Greek: _gazophylákion_) was a specific area within the Temple precincts, likely located in the Court of Women. This public space housed thirteen trumpet-shaped collection chests where worshippers deposited their offerings. It was a place of high visibility and constant activity, frequented by both ordinary people and religious leaders. Jesus teaching here, rather than in a private setting, underscores His boldness and public proclamation of truth, even in the face of danger. The Temple itself (Greek: _hierón_) refers to the entire sacred complex, distinguishing it from the inner sanctuary (_naos_). The fact that Jesus taught openly in such a prominent and public area, despite the growing animosity from the Jewish authorities, emphasizes His unwavering commitment to His mission and His confidence in divine protection. The attempts to "lay hands on him" reflect the escalating tension and the desire of the Jewish leaders to silence Jesus, a desire that would eventually lead to His arrest and crucifixion.
* **Key Themes:** A central theme in [John's Gospel](/john "The Gospel According to John") is the **divine sovereignty and predetermined timing** of God's plan, particularly concerning Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. The phrase "his hour was not yet come" is a significant motif that recurs throughout John, indicating that Jesus's actions and ultimate fate were not subject to human whims but were meticulously orchestrated by the Father. This theme is introduced early in [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus's Hour Not Yet Come") at the wedding in Cana and culminates in [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come for the Son of Man to be Glorified") when Jesus declares "The hour is come, that the Son of man be glorified." Another key theme is **Jesus's authority and boldness** in proclaiming truth. Teaching openly in the highly public and often hostile environment of the treasury demonstrates His unwavering confidence in His divine mission and His fearlessness in confronting His adversaries. This also highlights the **conflict and opposition** Jesus faced from the religious establishment, a recurring tension throughout His ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **treasury (Greek, _gazophylákion'_):** From _gaza_ (treasure) and _phylakē_ (a guard, a keeping), referring to a treasure-house or a place where treasures are guarded. In the context of the Jerusalem Temple, it specifically denotes the court where collection-boxes were placed for offerings. This location was highly public and visible, making Jesus's teaching there a bold and open declaration.
* **taught (Greek, _didáskō'_):** A prolonged form of a primary verb meaning "to learn," but here used causatively to mean "to teach." This word highlights Jesus's primary activity as a public instructor, conveying divine truths and authoritative interpretations of God's will. His teaching was not merely informative but transformative and challenging, especially to the established religious order.
* **hour (Greek, _hōra'_):** While literally meaning a unit of time, in John's Gospel, _hōra_ carries profound theological weight. It consistently refers to the specific, divinely appointed moment for Jesus's ultimate purpose—His suffering, death, resurrection, and subsequent glorification. The phrase "his hour was not yet come" signifies that the Father's predetermined timetable for Jesus's redemptive work had not yet arrived, thus preventing any human intervention from thwarting God's plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple:"** This clause establishes the setting and activity. Jesus's "words" refer to the preceding discourse, particularly His claims about being the Light of the World and His divine origin. His teaching in the "treasury" within the "temple" signifies a public, authoritative, and confrontational ministry in the heart of Jewish religious life. The location emphasizes His accessibility to the people and His direct challenge to the religious establishment.
* **"and no man laid hands on him;"** This statement highlights the immediate outcome of the escalating tension. Despite the desire of the religious leaders to seize Jesus, they were utterly powerless to do so. This is a clear demonstration of divine protection and control, preventing human will from interfering with God's greater plan.
* **"for his hour was not yet come."** This final clause provides the theological explanation for their inability to seize Him. The "hour" is not merely a chronological marker but a theological concept in John's Gospel, referring to the divinely appointed time for Jesus's crucifixion, resurrection, and glorification. Until this predetermined moment, Jesus was invulnerable to human attempts to thwart His mission.

#### Literary Devices
John 8:20 masterfully employs several literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the repeated attempts to seize Jesus, thwarted only by divine timing, strongly hint at His eventual, divinely appointed arrest and crucifixion. This creates a sense of anticipation and underscores the preordained nature of His suffering. There is also a powerful **Irony** in the scene: the powerful religious leaders, despite their authority and desire, are utterly incapable of touching Jesus because of a divine decree. This highlights the ultimate powerlessness of human opposition against God's sovereign will. Finally, the phrase "his hour" functions as a significant **Motif** throughout John's Gospel. Its repeated use consistently points to the specific, predetermined moment of Jesus's passion and glorification, serving as a theological anchor for understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:20 profoundly underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the meticulous orchestration of God's redemptive plan. The "hour" of Jesus, a recurring motif in John, is not a mere chronological point but the climactic, divinely appointed moment for His suffering, death, and resurrection, which would lead to His glorification and the salvation of humanity. This verse assures us that even amidst intense opposition and human malice, God's purposes cannot be thwarted. Jesus's life and death were not accidental but part of an eternal counsel, demonstrating God's absolute control over history and salvation. This provides immense comfort, knowing that God's plans, even for our own lives, are held securely in His sovereign hands.

* [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan")
* [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come for the Son of Man to be Glorified")
* [John 13:1](/john/13-1 "John 13:1 - Jesus's Hour to Depart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 8:20 offers profound reassurance and practical lessons for believers today. Just as Jesus's "hour" was divinely determined and secure, so too are the significant moments and outcomes in our lives ultimately in God's hands. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect timing, even when circumstances seem chaotic, opposition is strong, or our prayers for certain outcomes appear unanswered. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, and His purposes will prevail. Furthermore, Jesus's boldness in teaching openly in a hostile environment, knowing His mission was secure, challenges us to speak truth with courage and conviction. When we are walking in God's will, we can rest in the assurance that He will protect us and our purpose until His appointed time, empowering us to live fearlessly for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereign timing in Jesus's life impact your trust in His timing for your own life's challenges and aspirations?**
* **In what areas of your life are you called to speak truth or live boldly, even in the face of opposition, knowing that God is ultimately in control?**
* **How does the concept of God's protection over Jesus, until His "hour" came, encourage you when you feel vulnerable or threatened?**

### FAQ
**What was the "treasury" in the temple, and why is its location significant?**

Answer: The "treasury" (Greek: _gazophylákion_) was a specific, highly public area within the Temple precincts, most likely located in the Court of Women. It contained thirteen trumpet-shaped chests for collecting offerings. Its significance lies in its high visibility and constant activity, making it a prominent place for public discourse. Jesus teaching here underscores His boldness and the public nature of His claims, directly challenging the religious authorities in a place where they frequently gathered and held influence. It highlights that Jesus did not shy away from proclaiming His message in the very heart of Jewish religious life, despite the escalating hostility.

**What does "his hour was not yet come" mean in John's Gospel?**

Answer: In [John's Gospel](/john "The Gospel According to John"), the phrase "his hour" is a profound theological motif that refers to the divinely appointed, predetermined moment for Jesus's ultimate purpose: His suffering, crucifixion, resurrection, and subsequent glorification. It signifies the culmination of God's redemptive plan. When the text states "his hour was not yet come," it means that God the Father's perfect timing for these climactic events had not yet arrived. This divine control prevented any human attempt to prematurely seize or harm Jesus, ensuring that His life and death unfolded precisely according to God's sovereign will, as seen in passages like [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus's Hour Not Yet Come") and [John 7:30](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - No One Seized Jesus Yet").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:20, with its emphasis on Jesus's "hour" not yet having come, serves as a powerful testament to the Christ-centered nature of God's redemptive plan. This verse foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. The "hour" that had not yet arrived was the very moment of His atoning sacrifice on the cross, the climactic event for which He came into the world. It was the hour when the Lamb of God would be slain to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The fact that no one could lay hands on Him until this appointed time underscores that Jesus was not a victim of circumstance, but the willing sacrifice, fully in control of His destiny, surrendering His life according to the Father's perfect will ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly")). His eventual arrest and crucifixion, therefore, were not a defeat but the divinely ordained triumph, leading to His glorification and the salvation of all who believe. This verse points us to the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension, where Christ's "hour" fully came, securing eternal life and demonstrating God's sovereign love for humanity ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

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 7:30

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

John 7:8

Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

Mark 12:41

¶ And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Matthew 27:6

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

John 7:44

And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

Mark 12:43

And he called [unto him] his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

John 8:59

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.