John 8:28

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
εἶπεν
G2036
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#2
οὖν
G3767
then
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
αὐτοῖς
G846
unto them
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
#4
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#6
Ὅταν
G3752
When
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
#7
ὑψώσητε
G5312
ye have lifted up
to elevate (literally or figuratively)
#8
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
υἱὸν
G5207
the Son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#10
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
ἀνθρώπου
G444
of man
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#12
τότε
G5119
Then
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
#13
γνώσεσθε
G1097
shall ye know
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
#14
ὅτι
G3754
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#15
ἐγώ
G1473
I
i, me
#16
εἰμι
G1510
am
i exist (used only when emphatic)
#17
καὶ
G2532
he and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#18
ἀπ'
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#19
ἐμαυτοῦ
G1683
myself
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
#20
ποιῶ
G4160
that I do
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#21
οὐδέν
G3762
nothing
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#22
ἀλλὰ
G235
but
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#23
καθὼς
G2531
as
just (or inasmuch) as, that
#24
ἐδίδαξέν
G1321
hath taught
to teach (in the same broad application)
#25
με
G3165
me
me
#26
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
πατὴρ
G3962
Father
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#28
μου,
G3450
my
of me
#29
ταῦτα
G5023
these things
these things
#30
λαλῶ
G2980
I speak
to talk, i.e., utter words

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

People

Study Resources