John 7:27
What does John 7:27 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:27 means
Others object that they know where Jesus is from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know His origin. This reflects popular traditions about the Messiah’s mysterious appearance, not full Scriptural understanding. Ironically, they know Jesus’ earthly background but miss His heavenly source. Their claim exposes a fixation on visible categories while ignoring God’s revelation. This misunderstanding becomes the pretext for rejecting Him: if He does not fit their expectations, He cannot be the Christ. The verse shows how human assumptions can blind people to the true fulfillment standing before them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no one knoweth whence he is.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949However, it is clear to us where this man comes from: but when the Christ comes no one will have knowledge where he comes from.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but this one--we have known whence he is; and the Christ, when he doth come, no one doth know whence he is.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But we know this man, whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no man knoweth, whence he is.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But [as to] this [man] we know whence he is. Now [as to] the Christ, when he comes, no one knows whence he is.
Context
In response to speculation about the rulers’ knowledge, the crowd raises a traditional objection about messianic origins. Jesus answers this directly in the next verses by asserting His divine sending and their ignorance of the true God (verses 28–29). This will provoke an attempt to seize Him (verse 30) even as many believe because of His signs (verse 31), further dividing the crowd.
v.26And lo, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing unto him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?
v.27This passage
v.28Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 2:5
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written through the prophet,
- Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
- Jeremiah 30:21
And their prince shall be of themselves, and their ruler shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is he that hath had boldness to approach unto me? saith Jehovah.
- John 7:41
Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee?
- John 6:42
And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven?
- 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?
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