John 7:28
What does John 7:28 mean?
A plain-English look at John 7:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 7:28 means
Jesus cries out in the temple, confronting their claim to know Him and His origin. He acknowledges their earthly knowledge but asserts that He has not come of Himself. The One who sent Him is true—and they do not know Him. This cuts to the heart: their problem is not information about Nazareth but ignorance of God. Jesus positions Himself as the Sent One, whose authority rests in the faithful Sender. Their rejection of Him reveals alienation from the Father. His raised voice underscores urgency: they must rethink who He is in relation to the God they claim to know.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then, when he was teaching in the Temple, Jesus said with a loud voice, You have knowledge of me and you have knowledge of where I come from; and I have not come of myself; but there is One who has sent me; he is true, but you have no knowledge of him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus cried, therefore, in the temple, teaching and saying, `Ye have both known me, and ye have known whence I am; and I have not come of myself, but He who sent me is true, whom ye have not known;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying: You both know me, and you know whence I am. And I am not come of myself: but he that sent me is true, whom you know not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me and ye know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye do not know.
Context
After the crowd’s assumptions about messianic origins, Jesus directly addresses origin and authority. He declares divine sending and exposes their lack of true knowledge of God. In the next verse He intensifies the claim—He knows God, is from Him, and was sent by Him (verse 29). This prompts an immediate desire to arrest Him (verse 30), yet divine timing prevents it, while others move toward belief (verse 31).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 2:12
Now the sons of Eli were base men; they knew not Jehovah.
- John 8:16
Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
- Luke 2:39
And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
- 2 Corinthians 1:18
But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.
- Psalms 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; For thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
- Romans 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.
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