What does John 7:28 mean?

Explanation

John 7:28 records Jesus speaking in the temple during his teaching.

He addresses the crowd with a degree of exasperation, noting that they claim to know who he is and where he is from.

Yet, he also points out that his origin, his mission, and the one who sent him, referring to God the Father, are not truly understood by them.

Jesus emphasizes the legitimacy of his mission, stating that he didn't come on his own authority but was sent by the "he that sent me," implying a divine commissioning by God, who is faithful and true.

The final part of the verse, "whom ye know not," suggests that despite their religious knowledge and practices, they do not truly know God, as evidenced by their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.

Historical Context

This verse falls within the narrative of John's Gospel during the Feast of Tabernacles, a Jewish festival that celebrated the fall harvest and commemorated the Israelite wandering in the wilderness.

Jesus went up to Jerusalem despite knowing that some were seeking to kill him.

The crowd was divided about who Jesus was, with some thinking him a good man and others claiming he was leading the people astray.

This setting reflects the ongoing tension and disbelief among the Jewish leaders regarding Jesus' identity and authority.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, John 7:28 touches on several core Christian beliefs.

The concept of Jesus being sent by God reflects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is viewed as the second person, distinct yet fully participating in the divine essence.

The verse also speaks to the incarnation, suggesting that Jesus came from heaven and that his authority is rooted in his divine nature.

Lastly, it introduces the recognition of God as "true," a statement that establishes God's faithfulness and reliability in contrast to the mutable knowledge of humanity.

Practical Applications

In contemporary life, this verse can serve as a reminder of humility and the necessity of seeking true knowledge of God.

Believers might reflect on whether they truly know God or are just familiar with concepts about God.

It can also encourage individuals to consider the authenticity of their own mission and actions, ensuring they are aligned with a higher purpose or calling rather than being self-driven.

Furthermore, this Scripture invites the pursuit of genuine understanding and faith, rather than surface-level or cultural religion.

Cross-References

• John 8:19: "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."
• John 5:43: "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
• John 14:10: "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the term for "cried" is "kékraxen," denoting a loud cry or proclamation, indicating the importance and urgency of what Jesus was saying.

The term "alēthinos" is used for "true," referring to that which is genuine, not only in opposition to what is false but also to what is real and reliable, underpinning Jesus' statement about the nature of God who sent him.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient myths and religions, divine messengers and intermediaries are common.

However, Jesus' claim of being sent from the true God who is unknown to his audience contrasts sharply with ancient religious practices, where deities were thought to be well-known through rituals and myths.

Jesus positions himself as the unique revelation of a God who is otherwise unknown by mere human tradition and understanding.

Scientific Perspectives

Science generally does not intersect directly with theological beliefs about divine origins or missions.

However, the quest for knowledge and truth in both science and religion underlies this verse.

In modern times, the importance of empirical evidence and testable hypotheses in understanding the natural world could be analogous to Jesus' call for genuine knowledge of the divine rather than unexamined traditional beliefs.

Commentaries

Commentators offer a variety of perspectives on John 7:28.

Some focus on the Messianic secret, the idea that Jesus' divine identity was partially concealed during his earthly ministry.

Others underline the Jewish expectation of a messiah whose origin would be mysterious (as seen in John 7:27), contrasting it with Jesus' declaration that they do not truly know the one who sent him.

Commentators also often discuss how the audience's incomplete knowledge of Jesus reflects a broader spiritual truth about the limited human comprehension of God's ways.