CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 7:17 If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/7-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/43_Jhn_07_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 7:17 - Jesus Teaches at the Feast" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/7-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/7-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/7-16.htm" title="John 7:16">◄</a> John 7:17 <a href="/john/7-18.htm" title="John 7:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/7.htm">New International Version</a> Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. <a href="/nlt/john/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. <a href="/esv/john/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. <a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. <a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If anyone desires to do His will, he will know concerning the teaching, whether it is from God, or I speak from Myself. <a href="/kjv/john/7.htm">King James Bible</a> If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. <a href="/nkjv/john/7.htm">New King James Version</a> If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. <a href="/nasb_/john/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God, or I am speaking from Myself. <a href="/nasb/john/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. <a href="/nasb77/john/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself. <a href="/lsb/john/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God or I speak from Myself. <a href="/amp/john/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know whether the teaching is of God or whether I speak on My own accord and by My own authority. <a href="/csb/john/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. <a href="/hcsb/john/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone wants to do His will, he will understand whether the teaching is from God or if I am speaking on My own. <a href="/asv/john/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself. <a href="/cev/john/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me. <a href="/erv/john/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from myself. <a href="/gwt/john/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Those who want to follow the will of God will know if what I teach is from God or if I teach my own thoughts. <a href="/gnt/john/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> Whoever is willing to do what God wants will know whether what I teach comes from God or whether I speak on my own authority. <a href="/isv/john/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> If anyone wants to do his will, he'll know whether this teaching is from God or whether I'm speaking on my own. <a href="/msb/john/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. <a href="/net/john/7.htm">NET Bible</a> If anyone wants to do God's will, he will know about my teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from my own authority. <a href="/nheb/john/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself. <a href="/wbt/john/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> If any man will do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I speak from myself. <a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If any one is willing to do His will, he shall know about the teaching, whether it is from God or originates with me. <a href="/web/john/7.htm">World English Bible</a> If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God or if I am speaking from myself. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> if anyone may will to do His will, he will know concerning the teaching, whether it is of God, or—[if] I speak from Myself. <a href="/blb/john/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If anyone desires to do His will, he will know concerning the teaching, whether it is from God, or I speak from Myself. <a href="/ylt/john/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> if any one may will to do His will, he shall know concerning the teaching, whether it is of God, or -- I do speak from myself. <a href="/slt/john/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> If any desire to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or I speak from myself.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> If any man do the will of him; he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. <a href="/cpdv/john/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> If anyone has chosen to do his will, then he will realize, about the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I am speaking from myself. <a href="/nabre/john/7.htm">New American Bible</a> Whoever chooses to do his will shall know whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own. <a href="/nrsvce/john/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> He who wills to do his will, he will understand if my teaching is from God, or if I am just speaking of my own accord. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Whoever is willing to do his will understands my teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak for my own pleasure.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> If any one will do his will, he shall know with respect to the teaching, whether it is of God, or I speak of myself. <a href="/godbey/john/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>if any one may will to do His will, he shall know concerning the teaching, whether it is of God, or I speak for myself.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> If any man will do his will, he shall know respecting the doctrine, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself. <a href="/mace/john/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> if any man is inclin'd to do his will, he shall know whether the doctrine be from God, or whether I speak from my self. <a href="/wey/john/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If any one is willing to do His will, he shall know about the teaching, whether it is from God or originates with me. <a href="/worrell/john/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>If any one wills to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>If any <Fr>man<FR> desire to do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it be of God, or <Fr>whether<FR> I speak of myself.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/7-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2396" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/7.htm">Jesus Teaches at the Feast</a> …16“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. 17<a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelē (V-PSA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">desires</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiein (V-PNA) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">to do</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2307.htm" title="2307: thelēma (N-ANS) -- An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.">will,</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: gnōsetai (V-FIM-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">he will know</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time."></a> <a href="/greek/4220.htm" title="4220: poteron (Adv) -- Which of two, whether. Neuter of a comparative of the base of pou; interrogative as adverb, which, i.e. Is it this or that.">whether</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">My</a> <a href="/greek/1322.htm" title="1322: didachēs (N-GFS) -- Teaching, doctrine, what is taught. From didasko; instruction.">teaching</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or whether</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalō (V-PIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">speak</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: ap’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">on</a> <a href="/greek/1683.htm" title="1683: emautou (PPro-GM1S) -- Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.">My own.</a> 18He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31-32</a> So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. / Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” <a href="/john/14-21.htm">John 14:21</a> Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” <a href="/john/14-23.htm">John 14:23-24</a> Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. / Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me. <a href="/john/3-21.htm">John 3:21</a> But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” <a href="/john/12-47.htm">John 12:47-48</a> As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. / There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25-27</a> At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. / Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. / All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. <a href="/matthew/13-11.htm">Matthew 13:11-15</a> He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. / Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. / This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ ... <a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Luke 8:10</a> He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3-5</a> By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/1_john/3-22.htm">1 John 3:22-24</a> and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. / And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. / Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. <a href="/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6</a> We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a> Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. <a href="/proverbs/28-5.htm">Proverbs 28:5</a> Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.<a href="/john/1-46.htm">John 1:46-49</a> And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see… <a href="/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31,32,43,47</a> Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; … <a href="/psalms/25-8.htm">Psalm 25:8,9,12</a> Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/5-43.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/john/7-4.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/john/5-21.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/john/7-16.htm">Doctrine</a> <a href="/john/6-43.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/6-33.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-12.htm">Originates</a> <a href="/john/6-40.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/matthew/13-41.htm">Practise</a> <a href="/john/7-6.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/john/6-63.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/7-13.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/7-16.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/luke/23-6.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/john/6-21.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/7-18.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/romans/9-18.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/john/7-19.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/john/18-19.htm">Doctrine</a> <a href="/john/7-34.htm">Find</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">God's</a> <a href="/john/7-18.htm">Originates</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/john/15-14.htm">Practise</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/john/7-26.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/john/7-18.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/7-18.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/9-25.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/john/7-44.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">John 7</div>1. <a href="/john/7-1.htm">Jesus reproves the ambition and boldness of his kinsmen;</a> 10. <a href="/john/7-10.htm">goes up from Galilee to the feast of tabernacles;</a> 14. <a href="/john/7-14.htm">teaches in the temple.</a> 40. <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Various opinions of him among the people.</a> 45. <a href="/john/7-45.htm">The Pharisees are angry that their officers took him not, </a> 50. <a href="/john/7-50.htm">and chide with Nicodemus for taking his side.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If anyone desires to do His will This phrase emphasizes the importance of a willing heart in discerning divine truth. The desire to do God's will is a prerequisite for understanding spiritual teachings. This aligns with the biblical principle that God reveals Himself to those who earnestly seek Him (<a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a>). The concept of "His will" refers to God's divine plan and commandments, which are often revealed through Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, the Jewish people were familiar with the idea of seeking God's will through the Law and the Prophets.he will know whether My teaching is from God Here, Jesus asserts that genuine seekers of God's will can discern the divine origin of His teachings. This statement implies that spiritual insight is granted to those who are obedient and open to God's guidance. The claim that His teaching is from God is a direct assertion of His divine authority and messianic identity. This echoes the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah who would teach God's truth (<a href="/deuteronomy/18-18.htm">Deuteronomy 18:18</a>). The historical context includes the skepticism Jesus faced from religious leaders who questioned His authority and origins.or whether I speak on My own This phrase addresses the possibility of Jesus speaking independently of divine authority. By contrasting His teachings with those who might speak on their own, Jesus highlights His unique relationship with the Father. In the cultural and historical context, many teachers and prophets claimed divine inspiration, but Jesus distinguishes Himself by asserting that His words are not self-derived but are directly from God. This distinction is crucial in understanding the nature of Jesus' ministry and His fulfillment of the role of the true prophet and teacher as foretold in Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles, addressing the crowd and religious leaders. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_leaders.htm">The Jewish Leaders</a> They are questioning Jesus' authority and the source of His teachings, skeptical of His claims and seeking to challenge Him. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> A diverse group of people present at the Feast, including those who are curious, skeptical, and some who are beginning to believe in Jesus. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_feast_of_tabernacles.htm">The Feast of Tabernacles</a> A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' wilderness journey, during which Jesus delivers this teaching. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple_courts.htm">The Temple Courts</a> The setting for this discourse, a place of teaching and worship in Jerusalem where Jesus often engaged with the people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/desire_to_do_god's_will.htm">Desire to Do God's Will</a> True understanding of Jesus' teachings begins with a genuine desire to align with God's will. This desire opens the heart to divine truth. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_through_obedience.htm">Discernment Through Obedience</a> Obedience to God's will is a pathway to discernment. As believers commit to following God's commands, clarity about Jesus' divine authority emerges. <a href="/topical/a/authority_of_jesus'_teachings.htm">Authority of Jesus' Teachings</a> Jesus' teachings are not self-derived but are rooted in divine authority. Recognizing this authority is crucial for faith and practice. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_understanding.htm">Faith and Understanding</a> Faith in Jesus and His teachings is not blind but is confirmed through a relationship with God and a commitment to His will. <a href="/topical/p/practical_application_of_faith.htm">Practical Application of Faith</a> Living out one's faith involves actively seeking and doing God's will, which leads to deeper spiritual insight and growth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 7</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_the_book_of_joel.htm">Is the love of the Father absent in him?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_free_will.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on free will?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_searching_for_god.htm">Who is searching for God?</a> <a href="/q/does_job_37_14-15_conflict_with_free_will.htm">Does Job 37:14–15’s portrayal of God controlling weather conflict with biblical passages that emphasize human free will over divine intervention?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.--Better, If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching. The stress is upon "willeth," which in our version reads as if it were only the auxiliary verb. It is not deed, which is the outcome of faith; but will, which precedes it, that is here spoken of. This human will to do the divine will is the condition of knowing it. The words are unlimited and far-reaching in their meaning. Those who heard them would naturally understand them, as it was intended they should, of the divine will expressed in the Law and the Prophets (<a href="/john/7-19.htm" title="Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why go you about to kill me?">John 7:19</a>), but they include the will of God revealed, more or less clearly, to all men and in all times. Our thoughts dwell naturally on representative lives, such as those of Saul the Pharisee, Cornelius the centurion, Justin the philosopher; but the truth holds good for every honest heart in every walk of life. The "any man" of Christ's own words excludes none from its reach, and the voice of comfort and of hope is spoken alike to all in our ignorance, fears, doubts--that he who in very deed willeth to do God's will, shall not fail to know, now or in the life to come, of the teaching whether it be of God. (Comp. Notes on <a href="/john/5-44.htm" title="How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?">John 5:44</a> et seq., and <a href="/john/6-29.htm" title="Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.">John 6:29</a> and <a href="/john/6-45.htm" title="It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to me.">John 6:45</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - The moral test is then applied to the great dictum which he had just uttered. If any man willeth - not merely desires, but performs the distinct act of willing - to do his will - as his will - he shall know; i.e. his intellectual faculty will be quickened into high activity by this moral and practical effort. If the Divine will concerning conduct meets the spontaneous act of the human will, if a man's will is set to fulfil the Divine will, to will and do what is revealed to him by God, the eye of the soul will be opened to see other things as well, and especially will have power to discern the all-pervading Divine element in this teaching of mine. He shall know concerning (περί) the teaching, whether it be of (ἐκ) God, or whether I speak from myself - from the simple ground of my own independent, self-taught humanity. The first and natural application of this mighty dictum and condition was a test by which the Jews might come at once to the understanding of his more than prophetic claim to teach - he having never learned in their rabbinical schools. It amounted to this: Your moral harmony with the will of God as already revealed to you will be the sure index and confirmation of the great fact I have just referred to. You will discern the Divine in my words, the absolutely true in my teaching. Here the Lord again refers to the great principle, "He that hath heard of the Father, and learned, cometh unto me;" "He that is of the truth heareth my voice." This moral submission to God will quicken all your powers to discern and come to an invincible assent as to my claims. This is not the deep subjective testimony of the inner intuition of those that already believe, by which a verbal assent becomes a fall consent, an unchangeable conviction, or "the full assurance of faith;" but it is addressed to unbelievers, and assures those who are bewildered by the novelty and sweep of his own words that, if they are set on doing the will of God, they will become perfectly satisfied that his own teaching, such as it is, is a stream of heavenly truth bursting from the very heart of God. The text has been cited by certain writers as the sum totel of the Christian revelation, almost as though it substituted practical obedience for true thinking, as though people might well be content with holy living, and might safely leave the decision of all difficult problems of thought and revelation to shift for themselves. Nothing could be further from its real meaning, either at the time or in any of its subsequent or universal applications. The solemn utterance has a wide outlook, and is constantly establishing its own verity. A profound and voluntary desire to do the will of God is the best preparation for intuitively perceiving the Divine authority of Christ and of his religion. The desire for holiness of principle and life sees in Christ not only the loftiest ideal of perfection, but the surest satisfaction to its conscious weakness, and casts itself upon his promises of saving power. The faith which is satisfied with Christ is not merely a conclusion drawn by logical processes from satisfactory premisses, it is the consequence of a new nature or a moral regeneration. In other words, it is the more practical and expanded form of the truth first of all addressed to Nicodemus, and also lying at the heart of the Beatitudes: "Except a man be born anew [from above], he cannot see the kingdom of God." If he is born again he will see it. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." "No man can come unto me except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him." The sentence presents the truth in a hopeful and positive form, and puts the criterion of the Divine informant within the reach of practical ethics. It is an appeal to the conscience as well as to the understanding. Apart from the subjective moral element, all other evidences of the presence of the Divine in nature, in history, in Christ, will be unimpressive and unimportant. A willingness to do the will of God is not a substitute for, but a condition of, true knowledge. <a href="/commentaries/john/7-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If ἐάν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. desires θέλῃ (thelē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to do ποιεῖν (poiein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. will, θέλημα (thelēma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2307.htm">Strong's 2307: </a> An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination. he will know γνώσεται (gnōsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. whether πότερον (poteron) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4220.htm">Strong's 4220: </a> Which of two, whether. Neuter of a comparative of the base of pou; interrogative as adverb, which, i.e. Is it this or that. [My] τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. teaching διδαχῆς (didachēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1322.htm">Strong's 1322: </a> Teaching, doctrine, what is taught. From didasko; instruction. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. or [whether] ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. speak λαλῶ (lalō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. on ἀπ’ (ap’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. My own. ἐμαυτοῦ (emautou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1683.htm">Strong's 1683: </a> Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/7-17.htm">NT Gospels: John 7:17 If anyone desires to do his will (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/7-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 7:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 7:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/7-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 7:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 7:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>