Devine Scripture

John 17:8

What does John 17:8 mean?

A plain-English look at John 17:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 17:8 means

Jesus elaborates on *how* the disciples came to know the divine origin of His teachings. He explains that He faithfully delivered the Father's words to them, and they, in turn, received and accepted these words. As a result, they truly understood that Jesus came directly from the Father and believed that the Father had sent Him. This verse underscores the disciples' receptive hearts and their accurate spiritual perception of Jesus' divine commission and identity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because I have given them the words which you gave to me; and they have taken them to heart, and have certain knowledge that I came from you, and they have faith that you sent me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because the sayings that Thou hast given to me, I have given to them, and they themselves received, and have known truly, that from Thee I came forth, and they did believe that Thou didst send me.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because the words which thou gavest me, I have given to them. And they have received them and have known in very deed that I came out from thee: and they have believed that thou didst send me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for the words which thou hast given me I have given them, and they have received [them], and have known truly that I came out from thee, and have believed that thou sentest me.

Context

This verse further unpacks the disciples' understanding mentioned in verse 7, providing the mechanism by which they arrived at their conviction. It clarifies that their faith is grounded in the truthful transmission and reception of God's word. This confirmation of their belief serves as a powerful testament to their readiness for the mission ahead, which will be the focus of Jesus' ongoing prayer for them.

v.7Now they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are from thee:

v.8This passage

v.9I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 14:10

    Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.

  • Proverbs 8:10

    Receive my instruction, and not silver; And knowledge rather than choice gold.

  • John 16:30

    Now know we that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

  • 1 John 4:14

    And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

  • John 17:6

    I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; and they have kept thy word.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23

    For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

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