John 8:28

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am [he], and [that] I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Then {G5119} said {G2036} Jesus {G2424} unto them {G846}, When {G3752} ye have lifted up {G5312} the Son {G5207} of man {G444}, then {G3767} shall ye know {G1097} that {G3754} I {G1473} am {G1510} he, and {G2532} that I do {G4160} nothing {G3762} of {G575} myself {G1683}; but {G235} as {G2531} my {G3450} Father {G3962} hath taught {G1321} me {G3165}, I speak {G2980} these things {G5023}.

So Yeshua said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM [who I say I am], and that of myself I do nothing, but say only what the Father has taught me.

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.

Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.

John 8:28 is a pivotal verse in Jesus' ongoing discourse with the Jewish leaders, where He makes profound statements about His identity, mission, and relationship with the Father. It serves as a prophecy of His crucifixion and a declaration of His divine authority.

Context

This verse is situated within a heated debate in the Temple precincts, as recorded in John chapter 8. Jesus has declared Himself the "light of the world" and is challenged by the Pharisees regarding His testimony. He speaks of His origin from God and His unique relationship with the Father. The Jewish leaders struggle to understand His claims, often interpreting them in purely human terms, while Jesus consistently points to His divine source and ultimate destiny. This statement about being "lifted up" comes after He has been questioned about His identity and where He is going.

Key Themes

  • The Prophecy of the Crucifixion: The phrase "When ye have lifted up the Son of man" is a clear premonition of Jesus' crucifixion. While literally referring to His physical elevation on the cross, it also carries the deeper meaning of His ultimate exaltation and glorification through that very act. This echoes similar prophecies found elsewhere in John's Gospel, such as in John 3:14 and John 12:32.
  • Divine Identity and Revelation: "then shall ye know that I am he" is a powerful declaration. The Greek phrase egō eimi (I am) resonates deeply with God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14 ("I AM THAT I AM"). Jesus uses this phrase repeatedly in John's Gospel to assert His divine nature and pre-existence, claiming equality with God. The leaders, who are blind to His claims now, will truly understand His identity only after the pivotal event of His crucifixion and resurrection.
  • Perfect Obedience and Unity with the Father: "and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." This highlights Jesus' complete dependence on and perfect submission to God the Father. His actions, words, and teachings are not self-originated but are direct expressions of the Father's will and instruction. This refutes the accusation that He acts independently or blasphemously, instead affirming His unique and intimate relationship with the Father, as also seen in John 5:19 and John 14:10.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Son of man" (Greek: ho huios tou anthrōpou) is Jesus' preferred self-designation, emphasizing both His humanity and His divine authority as prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14. The verb "lifted up" (Greek: hypsōthēte) carries a dual meaning: the literal elevation on the cross and the spiritual exaltation or glorification that follows His sacrifice.

Practical Application

John 8:28 reminds us that true understanding of Jesus' identity often comes through reflection on His ultimate sacrifice. The cross, while a symbol of suffering, is also the profound revelation of who Jesus truly is – the divine Son of God, perfectly obedient to the Father's will, whose death brings salvation and knowledge of God. For believers, this verse underscores the importance of humility and complete reliance on God, mirroring Christ's own perfect submission. It also encourages us to look for God's purposes even in difficult or seemingly tragic circumstances, as the crucifixion, though an act of human wickedness, was God's ordained path to glory and redemption.

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 5:19

    Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

  • John 5:30

    I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

  • John 6:38

    For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

  • John 12:49

    For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

  • John 12:50

    And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

  • John 3:14

    And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

  • Matthew 27:50

    ¶ Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back