Devine Scripture

John 7:15

What does John 7:15 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:15 means

The Jews marvel at Jesus’ knowledge, asking how He knows “letters” without formal learning. They recognize scholarly depth and Scriptural command but cannot account for its source. Their astonishment reveals a narrow view that ties authority to institutional credentials. Jesus’ wisdom, however, comes from intimate fellowship with the Father and perfect obedience to His will. The verse exposes the limits of human categories for spiritual authority. They hear brilliance but do not yet yield to it. Their question opens the door for Jesus to explain the divine origin of His message and call them to test it by doing God’s will.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then the Jews were surprised and said, How has this man got knowledge of books? He has never been to school.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the Jews were wondering, saying, `How hath this one known letters--not having learned?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Jews wondered, saying: How doth this man know letters, having never learned?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The Jews therefore wondered, saying, How knows this [man] letters, having never learned?

Context

After Jesus begins teaching, the first response is amazement at His learning. This sets up His direct claim about the source of His teaching (verse 16) and the way to verify it (verse 17). The movement is from marvel at skills to a confrontation with the Sender. The issue is not merely education but authority—who sent Him and how hearers should respond. This will bring the discussion to motives, glory-seeking, and obedience.

v.14But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

v.15This passage

v.16Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 22:22

    And when they heard it, they marvelled, and left him, and went away.

  • Amos 7:14

    Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore-trees:

  • Matthew 22:33

    And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

  • Matthew 7:28

    And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching:

  • Luke 4:22

    And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

  • John 1:19

    And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?

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