John 8:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥήματα
words
G4487
ῥήματα
words
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
3 of 23
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γαζοφυλακίῳ
the treasury
G1049
γαζοφυλακίῳ
the treasury
Strong's:
G1049
Word #:
9 of 23
a treasure-house, i.e., a court in the temple for the collection-boxes
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ·
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ·
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
13 of 23
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
15 of 23
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐπίασεν
laid hands
G4084
ἐπίασεν
laid hands
Strong's:
G4084
Word #:
16 of 23
to squeeze, i.e., seize (gently by the hand (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting (capture))
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
18 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐληλύθει
come
G2064
ἐληλύθει
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
20 of 23
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
John 7:30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.Mark 12:41And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.John 7:8Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.Mark 12:43And 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:Matthew 27:6And 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.
Historical Context
The treasury's location in the Court of Women made it heavily trafficked and well-guarded, yet Jesus taught openly about His relationship with the Father without interference until God's timing permitted.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign control over timing affect your anxiety?
- When have you seen God's providence protecting His purposes?
- What confidence does divine timing provide when facing opposition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus speaks in the treasury, the most public part of the temple, yet none arrests Him because His hour hasn't come. Divine sovereignty over all circumstances is emphasized repeatedly in John. No human hostility can thwart God's redemptive plan or hasten Christ's death one moment before the appointed time. This provides ultimate assurance for believers.