John 7:27
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
Howbeit
G235
ἀλλὰ
Howbeit
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
οἴδαμεν
we know
G1492
οἴδαμεν
we know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 14
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πόθεν
whence
G4159
πόθεν
whence
Strong's:
G4159
Word #:
4 of 14
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
9 of 14
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
ἔρχηται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχηται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
10 of 14
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
11 of 14
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
γινώσκει
knoweth
G1097
γινώσκει
knoweth
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
12 of 14
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
Cross References
Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.John 6:42And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?John 9:29We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
Historical Context
Some rabbinic traditions held that Messiah would remain hidden until His revelation (2 Esdras 7:28, 13:51-52). Others expected Him from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, John 7:42). The crowd knew Jesus as the Galilean carpenter's son, unaware of His Bethlehem birth. Their partial knowledge led to wrong conclusions. This parallels modern objections—people judge Christ based on incomplete information.
Questions for Reflection
- How does partial knowledge about Jesus lead to wrong conclusions?
- What is the relationship between Jesus's earthly and heavenly origins?
- How do we avoid making similar mistakes by knowing Jesus only superficially?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. The crowd's objection: they know Jesus's origins (Nazareth, Mary and Joseph), but expected Messiah's origins to be mysterious. This reflects rabbinic speculation that Messiah would appear suddenly without traceable origin (based on Malachi 3:1, Daniel 7:13). They misunderstand—they know Jesus's earthly origins but not His heavenly origin. Jesus is from Nazareth geographically but from the Father eternally.