John 7:28
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἔκραξεν
cried
G2896
ἔκραξεν
cried
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
1 of 31
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
5 of 31
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
8 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
10 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Κἀμὲ
Ye both
G2504
Κἀμὲ
Ye both
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
11 of 31
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
οἴδατε·
know
G1492
οἴδατε·
know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἴδατε·
know
G1492
οἴδατε·
know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
14 of 31
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 #:
15 of 31
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπ'
of
G575
ἀπ'
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
18 of 31
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἐμαυτοῦ
myself
G1683
ἐμαυτοῦ
myself
Strong's:
G1683
Word #:
19 of 31
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
ἐλήλυθα
I am
G2064
ἐλήλυθα
I am
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
21 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
22 of 31
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πέμψας
he that sent
G3992
πέμψας
he that sent
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
26 of 31
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
28 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
John 8:42Jesus 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 8:19Then 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.Jeremiah 9:6Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.John 8:26I 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.John 8:14Jesus 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.Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:John 5:43I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.John 12:49For 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 17:3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Historical Context
This continues John's theme that knowing Jesus means knowing the Father (8:19, 14:7-9). The Jews' claim to know God while rejecting Jesus proves they don't truly know God. First-century Judaism emphasized knowing God through Torah and tradition, but Jesus insists He is the ultimate revelation. Not knowing Christ means not knowing God, regardless of religious pedigree.
Questions for Reflection
- Can someone claim to know God while rejecting Christ?
- What does it mean that Jesus is sent by the Father?
- How does recognizing Jesus as God's sent one change our understanding of God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. Jesus responds to their objection loudly ('cried'—ekraxen). He acknowledges they know His earthly origin but insists they miss the crucial truth: He doesn't come 'of myself' (ap' emautou) but is sent by the Father who is 'true' (alēthinos). The final phrase 'whom ye know not' (hon humeis ouk oidate) is damning—they claim to know God but don't recognize His sent one.