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.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 30
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Ὅταν
When
G3752
Ὅταν
When
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
6 of 30
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
the Son
G5207
υἱὸν
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
9 of 30
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
12 of 30
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
γνώσεσθε
shall ye know
G1097
γνώσεσθε
shall ye know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
13 of 30
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 30
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ
he and
G2532
καὶ
he and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 30
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 30
"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 30
of myself so likewise the dative case ?????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-to'"/>, and accusative case ??????? <pronunciation strongs="em-ow-ton'"/>
ποιῶ
that I do
G4160
ποιῶ
that I do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
20 of 30
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
οὐδέν
nothing
G3762
οὐδέν
nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
21 of 30
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
22 of 30
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 5:19Then 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 5:30I 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 6:38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.John 3:14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:Romans 1:4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Historical Context
'Lifted up' has double meaning - physical lifting on the cross and spiritual exaltation through resurrection and ascension. The same event that enemies use to destroy Jesus becomes His glorification.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the cross demonstrate Jesus' identity rather than destroy it?
- What does it mean that Jesus does only what the Father teaches Him?
- How can apparent defeat become victory in God's hands?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus prophesies His crucifixion ('when ye have lifted up the Son of man') as the event that will prove His identity and mission. The cross, appearing to be Christ's defeat, will actually vindicate Him. His obedient death and subsequent resurrection will demonstrate He does nothing independently but only what the Father commands. The cross proves Christ's authority.