Yet ye have not known him; but I know him—Jesus exposes their ignorance of God despite religious profession. "Ye have not known" (οὐκ ἐγνώκατε αὐτόν/ouk egnōkate auton) uses the perfect tense, indicating settled state: they remain in ignorance. "Known" (γινώσκω/ginōskō) means intimate, experiential knowledge, not mere information. They knew about God from Scripture but didn't know God personally—the difference between reading a love letter and loving the author.
"But I know him" (ἐγὼ οἶδα αὐτόν/egō oida auton)—the emphatic "I" contrasts Jesus's knowledge with their ignorance. Jesus uses oida, indicating absolute, intuitive knowledge, not ginōskō. Christ's knowledge of the Father is complete, eternal, essential (10:15, 17:25). As the eternal Son, He knows the Father as the Father knows Him—perfect mutual knowledge within the Trinity.
And if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you—Jesus refuses the option they presented (v.53). If He denied knowing God to placate them, He'd become "a liar" (ψεύστης/pseustēs), "like unto you" (ὅμοιος ὑμῶν/homoios hymōn). They're liars because they claim to know God while rejecting God's Son. Jesus won't join their hypocrisy by denying truth for acceptance.
But I know him, and keep his saying (ἀλλὰ οἶδα αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ τηρῶ/alla oida auton kai ton logon autou tērō)—Jesus's knowledge bears fruit in perfect obedience. "Keep" (τηρῶ/tērō) means to guard, observe, obey carefully. Jesus perfectly keeps the Father's word, the very standard He applies to believers (v.51). His life vindicates His claims.
Historical Context
This confrontation recalls Jeremiah 9:23-24: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD." The religious leaders gloried in heritage ("we have Abraham," v.53), knowledge ("we know," v.52), and position—but didn't know God.
Jesus's knowledge of the Father and perfect obedience fulfills Israel's calling. Israel was to be God's son (Exodus 4:22), displaying His character to nations. But Israel failed repeatedly. Jesus, as true Israel (Matthew 2:15), perfectly knows and obeys the Father, accomplishing what Israel couldn't.
The phrase "I shall be a liar like unto you" is shockingly direct. Jesus doesn't soften truth for diplomacy. This prefigures His "woes" against scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23), exposing religious hypocrisy. Truth-telling, even when offensive, demonstrates love—warning the self-deceived of their danger.
Early Christians, persecuted by religious authorities, took comfort: those authorities didn't truly know God despite claims and credentials. True knowledge of God manifests in receiving God's Son (1 John 2:23, 4:7-8). Theological orthodoxy without Christ is ignorance, however learned it appears.
Questions for Reflection
What's the difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally, and how do we examine which we possess?
How does Jesus's linking knowledge of God with obedience ("keep his saying") challenge merely intellectual faith?
When does 'speaking the truth in love' require direct confrontation of religious hypocrisy, following Jesus's example here?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him—Jesus exposes their ignorance of God despite religious profession. "Ye have not known" (οὐκ ἐγνώκατε αὐτόν/ouk egnōkate auton) uses the perfect tense, indicating settled state: they remain in ignorance. "Known" (γινώσκω/ginōskō) means intimate, experiential knowledge, not mere information. They knew about God from Scripture but didn't know God personally—the difference between reading a love letter and loving the author.
"But I know him" (ἐγὼ οἶδα αὐτόν/egō oida auton)—the emphatic "I" contrasts Jesus's knowledge with their ignorance. Jesus uses oida, indicating absolute, intuitive knowledge, not ginōskō. Christ's knowledge of the Father is complete, eternal, essential (10:15, 17:25). As the eternal Son, He knows the Father as the Father knows Him—perfect mutual knowledge within the Trinity.
And if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you—Jesus refuses the option they presented (v.53). If He denied knowing God to placate them, He'd become "a liar" (ψεύστης/pseustēs), "like unto you" (ὅμοιος ὑμῶν/homoios hymōn). They're liars because they claim to know God while rejecting God's Son. Jesus won't join their hypocrisy by denying truth for acceptance.
But I know him, and keep his saying (ἀλλὰ οἶδα αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ τηρῶ/alla oida auton kai ton logon autou tērō)—Jesus's knowledge bears fruit in perfect obedience. "Keep" (τηρῶ/tērō) means to guard, observe, obey carefully. Jesus perfectly keeps the Father's word, the very standard He applies to believers (v.51). His life vindicates His claims.