John 7:29

What does John 7:29 mean?

A plain-English look at John 7:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 7:29 means

Jesus continues: He knows the One who sent Him because He is from Him and was sent by Him. This is a profound claim of unique origin and intimate knowledge—He proceeds from God and speaks with firsthand authority. It hints at His eternal relationship with the Father and mission into the world. The distinction is sharp: they do not know God; He knows God. Therefore His teaching carries the very truth of God. To receive Him is to know the Father; to reject Him is to remain in ignorance. These words draw a clear line that provokes decisive responses.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I know him; because I am from him, and he sent me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I have knowledge of him because I came from him and he sent me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I have known Him, because I am from Him, and He did send me.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I know him, because I am from him: and he hath sent me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I know him, because I am from him, and he has sent me.

Context

Jesus sharpens His identity as the One from and sent by God. The next verse records an attempt to seize Him, checked by the fact that His hour had not yet come (verse 30). Simultaneously, many in the crowd believe, reasoning from His signs (verse 31). The chapter thus displays both hardening opposition and growing faith in response to His claims.

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.

v.29This passage

v.30They sought therefore to take him: and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour was not yet come.

Cross references

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

  • John 13:3

    Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto 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 17:25

    O righteous Father, the world knew thee not, but I knew thee; and these knew that thou didst send me;

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • John 6:46

    Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father.

  • John 1:18

    No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

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