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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>John 8:28 Commentaries: So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newcom.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><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'; 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but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.</div><div id="jump">Jump to: <a href="/commentaries/alford/john/8.htm" title="Henry Alford - Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary">Alford</a> • <a href="/commentaries/barnes/john/8.htm" title="Barnes' Notes">Barnes</a> • <a href="/commentaries/bengel/john/8.htm" title="Bengel's Gnomen">Bengel</a> • <a href="/commentaries/benson/john/8.htm" title="Benson Commentary">Benson</a> • <a href="/commentaries/illustrator/john/8.htm" title="Biblical Illustrator">BI</a> • <a href="/commentaries/calvin/john/8.htm" title="Calvin's Commentaries">Calvin</a> • <a href="/commentaries/cambridge/john/8.htm" title="Cambridge Bible">Cambridge</a> • <a href="/commentaries/chrysostom/john/8.htm" title="Chrysostom Homilies">Chrysostom</a> • <a href="/commentaries/clarke/john/8.htm" title="Clarke's Commentary">Clarke</a> • <a href="/commentaries/darby/john/8.htm" title="Darby's Bible Synopsis">Darby</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm" title="Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers">Ellicott</a> • <a href="/commentaries/expositors/john/8.htm" title="Expositor's Bible">Expositor's</a> • <a href="/commentaries/edt/john/8.htm" title="Expositor's Dictionary">Exp Dct</a> • <a href="/commentaries/egt/john/8.htm" title="Expositor's Greek">Exp Grk</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gaebelein/john/8.htm" title="Gaebelein's Annotated Bible">Gaebelein</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gsb/john/8.htm" title="Geneva Study Bible">GSB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gill/john/8.htm" title="Gill's Bible Exposition">Gill</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gray/john/8.htm" title="Gray's Concise">Gray</a> • <a href="/commentaries/guzik/john/8.htm" title="Guzik Bible Commentary">Guzik</a> • <a href="/commentaries/haydock/john/8.htm" title="Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary">Haydock</a> • <a href="/commentaries/hastings/john/8-12.htm" title="Hastings Great Texts">Hastings</a> • <a href="/commentaries/homiletics/john/8.htm" title="Pulpit Homiletics">Homiletics</a> • <a href="/commentaries/icc/john/8.htm" title="ICC NT Commentary">ICC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/jfb/john/8.htm" title="Jamieson-Fausset-Brown">JFB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/kelly/john/8.htm" title="Kelly Commentary">Kelly</a> • <a href="/commentaries/king-en/john/8.htm" title="Kingcomments Bible Studies">King</a> • <a href="/commentaries/lange/john/8.htm" title="Lange Commentary">Lange</a> • <a href="/commentaries/maclaren/john/8.htm" title="MacLaren Expositions">MacLaren</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhc/john/8.htm" title="Matthew Henry Concise">MHC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhcw/john/8.htm" title="Matthew Henry Full">MHCW</a> • <a href="/commentaries/meyer/john/8.htm" title="Meyer Commentary">Meyer</a> • <a href="/commentaries/parker/john/8.htm" title="The People's Bible by Joseph Parker">Parker</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pnt/john/8.htm" title="People's New Testament">PNT</a> • <a href="/commentaries/poole/john/8.htm" title="Matthew Poole">Poole</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm" title="Pulpit Commentary">Pulpit</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sermon/john/8.htm" title="Sermon Bible">Sermon</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sco/john/8.htm" title="Scofield Reference Notes">SCO</a> • <a href="/commentaries/teed/john/8.htm" title="Teed Bible Commentary">Teed</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ttb/john/8.htm" title="Through The Bible">TTB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/vws/john/8.htm" title="Vincent's Word Studies">VWS</a> • <a href="/commentaries/wes/john/8.htm" title="Wesley's Notes">WES</a> • <a href="#tsk" title="Treasury of Scripture Knowledge">TSK</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="comtype">EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(28) <span class= "bld">Then said Jesus unto them.</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">There-fore</span> . . . The teaching arises immediately out of the want of understanding just mentioned.<p><span class= "bld">When ye have lifted up the Son of man.</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">When ye shall have lifted up</span> . . . (Comp. Notes on <a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:">John 3:14</a>; <a href="/john/6-62.htm" title="What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?">John 6:62</a>; <a href="/john/12-32.htm" title="And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.">John 12:32</a>; <a href="/john/12-34.htm" title="The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ stays for ever: and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?">John 12:34</a>.) Both the Crucifixion and Ascension are implied here. Now. for the first time, they are marked out as the instruments of the Crucifixion (comp. <a href="/acts/3-15.htm" title="And killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.">Acts 3:15</a>), and therefore the means by which He will return to His Father’s throne.<p><span class= "bld">Then shall ye know . . .</span>—These words confirm the view that the teaching of these verses arises immediately out of their present ignorance. Then the veil will be removed. Then the death of Christ will be followed by His glory. As we read these words they impress us with that calm of assured certainty with which they are uttered (comp. <a href="/john/8-12.htm" title="Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.">John 8:12</a>) before the events, and reminds us of the signal way in which they were fulfilled. (Comp., <span class= "ital">e.g.,</span> Notes on <a href="/matthew/23-39.htm" title="For I say to you, You shall not see me from now on, till you shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.">Matthew 23:39</a> and <a href="/acts/2-37.htm" title="Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers, what shall we do?">Acts 2:37</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">That I am he.</span>—Comp. Note on <a href="/john/8-24.htm" title="I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.">John 8:24</a>.<p><span class= "bld">And that I do nothing of myself.</span>—This is dependent on “know that” in the previous clause; as is the remainder of the verse, and probably the first clause of the following verse also. They will then know that He is divine, and that the acts and words which they cannot now understand are part of the divine life in union with the Father. Now they marvel and ask, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” (<a href="/john/7-15.htm" title="And the Jews marveled, saying, How knows this man letters, having never learned?">John 7:15</a>): then they shall know that according as the Father taught Him, He spake these things. Now they cannot understand the witness of the Father (<a href="/john/8-19.htm" title="Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.">John 8:19</a>): then they shall know that He that sent Him was with Him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/benson/john/8.htm">Benson Commentary</a></div><span class="bld"><a href="/context/john/8-28.htm" title="Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things....">John 8:28-29</a></span>. <span class="ital">Then said Jesus, When ye have lifted up the Son of man </span>— From the earth on the cross; and have proceeded so far as to put him to a violent death, then, instead of seeing his cause and interest overborne by that outrageous attempt, <span class="ital">shall ye know </span>— By some new and convincing tokens; <span class="ital">that I am he </span>— This, doubtless, refers to the prodigies attending his death, his resurrection, and ascension, the effusion of the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, the amazing miracles wrought by the apostles in his name, and the wonderful success which he should give to the gospel through their ministry; <span class="ital">and that I do nothing of myself </span>— Nothing by my own authority, separate from that of my Father; <span class="ital">but as my Father hath taught me, I speak </span>— I teach such doctrines only as he has commissioned me to declare; <span class="ital">and he that sent me is with me </span>— Besides, my Father is always with me to bear his testimony to the truth of what I say, and to support and vindicate me. <span class="ital">The Father hath not left me alone — </span>Never from the moment I came into the world, nor will he ever leave me; <span class="ital">for I do always those things that please him </span>— I always act agreeably to his will, and faithfully and constantly pursue the important work which he has committed to my trust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="mhc" id="mhc"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/mhc/john/8.htm">Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary</a></div>8:21-29 Those that live in unbelief, are for ever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine nature, so that his doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ's grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ's grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honours to himself.<a name="bar" id="bar"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/barnes/john/8.htm">Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a></div>When ye have lifted up - When you have crucified. See <a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14</a> note; also <a href="/john/12-32.htm">John 12:32</a> note.<p>The Son of man - See the notes at <a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/8-19.htm">Matthew 8:19-20</a>.<p>Then shall ye know - Then shall you have evidence or proof.<p>That I am he - Am the Messiah, which I have professed to be.<p>And that I do nothing of myself - That is, you shall have proof that God has sent me; that I am the Messiah; and that God concurs with me and approves my doctrine. This proof was furnished by the miracles that attended the death of Jesus - the earthquake and darkness; but chiefly by his resurrection from the dead, which proved, beyond a doubt, that he was what he affirmed he was - the Messiah. <a name="jfb" id="jfb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/jfb/john/8.htm">Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary</a></div>28-30. When ye have lifted up the Son of man—The plainest intimation He had yet given in public of the manner and the authors of His death.<p>then shall ye know that I am he, &c.—that is, find out, or have sufficient evidence, how true was all He said, though they would be far from owning it.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/poole/john/8.htm">Matthew Poole's Commentary</a></div> It is your unhappiness, that while I am alive, and preaching the gospel to you, inviting you to repentance, and faith in me, as the true Messiah, you will not believe me to be indeed what I am; but you shall lift me up upon the cross, (for that is meant by lifting up, as <span class="bld"><a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:">John 3:14</a> 12:32</span>), and when that time cometh, you shall know that I am <span class="ital">the light of the world, </span> as <span class="bld"><a href="/john/8-12.htm" title="Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.">John 8:12</a></span>; for after that, the gospel began to be preached to all nations: or, that I am the true Messiah, he whom the Father hath sent into the world. Some of you shall then know it by those signs and wonders that shall attend my death and resurrection, and to your shame and confusion: others of you shall know it to your eternal joy and salvation; believing on me then, whom you will not now acknowledge; and that what I have done, I have only done by commission from my Father, not of myself; and that what I have taught, I have had in commission from my Father to teach. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="gil" id="gil"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gill/john/8.htm">Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a></div>Then said Jesus unto them,.... Upbraiding them with their ignorance, and giving them a sign, as well as pointing out the time when they either, by good or sad experience, should have knowledge of him: <p>when ye have lift up the son of man; meaning himself, who was to be lifted up upon the cross, as the serpent was upon the pole, in the wilderness; and which signified the manner of death he should die, the death of the cross; and suggested, that what the Jews designed for his reproach, shame, and abasement, would be the way and means of his rise and exaltation; and this lifting him up, or crucifying him, he ascribes to them, because they would deliver him to Pontius Pilate to be condemned, and stir up the people to ask, and be importunate themselves for his crucifixion: <p>then shall ye know that I am he; the Son of God, and true Messiah, as the centurion, and those that were with him, did, when they observed the earthquake; and the things that were done at his death; and after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, and the pouring forth of his Spirit, many of the Jews had not only a notional, but a true and spiritual knowledge of Jesus, as the Messiah; and upon the destruction of their temple, city, and nation, and their disappointment by false Christs, they doubtless many of them must, and did know, that the true Messiah was come, and that Jesus of Nazareth was he: <p>and that I do nothing of myself; See Gill on <a href="/john/5-19.htm">John 5:19</a>; <p>but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things; this he says not as lessening himself, or making himself inferior to the Father, but to show the excellency of his doctrine, and to assert the original, authority, and divinity of it; suggesting that it was not an human doctrine, or a device of man's, or his own, as man, but was divine, and from God; see <a href="/john/7-16.htm">John 7:16</a>. <a name="gsb" id="gsb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gsb/john/8.htm">Geneva Study Bible</a></div><span class="cverse2">Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.</span></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><div class="comtype">EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/meyer/john/8.htm">Meyer's NT Commentary</a></div><a href="/context/john/8-28.htm" title="Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things....">John 8:28-29</a>. <span class="greekheb">Οὖν</span>] not merely “a continuation of the narration” (De Wette), but: <span class="ital">therefore</span>, in reference to this non-understanding, as is also confirmed by the words <span class="greekheb">τότε γνώσεσθε</span>, which refer to <span class="greekheb">οὐκ ἔγνωσαν</span> in <a href="/john/8-27.htm" title="They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father.">John 8:27</a>, and, indeed, considered as to its matter, logically correct, seeing that if the Jews had recognised the Messiahship of Jesus, they would also have understood what He said to them of the Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">ὅταν ὑψώσητε</span>, etc.] <span class="ital">when ye shall have lifted up</span>, namely, on to the cross. Comp. on <a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:">John 3:14</a>, <a href="/john/6-62.htm" title="What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?">John 6:62</a>. The crucifixion is treated as an act of the Jews, who brought it about, as also in <a href="/acts/3-14.htm" title="But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted to you;">Acts 3:14</a> f.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">τότε-g0- γνώσ-g0-</span>.] Comp. <a href="/john/12-32.htm" title="And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.">John 12:32</a>, <a href="/john/6-62.htm" title="What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?">John 6:62</a>. Then will the result follow, which till then you reject, that you will know, etc. Reason: because the death of Jesus is the condition of His <span class="greekheb">δόξα</span>, and of the mighty manifestations thereof (the outpouring of the Spirit; miraculous works of the apostles; building up of the Church; punishment of the Jews; second coming to judgment). Then shall your eyes be opened, which will take place partly with your own will, and still in time (as in <a href="/acts/2-36.htm" title="Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made the same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.">Acts 2:36</a> ff; <a href="/acts/4-4.htm" title="However, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.">Acts 4:4</a>; <a href="/acts/6-7.htm" title="And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.">Acts 6:7</a>; <a href="/romans/11-11.htm" title="I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.">Romans 11:11</a> ff.); partly against your will, and too late (comp. on <a href="/matthew/23-39.htm" title="For I say to you, You shall not see me from now on, till you shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.">Matthew 23:39</a>; <a href="/luke/13-34.htm" title="O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kill the prophets, and stone them that are sent to you; how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings, and you would not!">Luke 13:34</a> f.). Bengel aptly remarks: “cognoscetis <span class="ital">ex re</span>, quod nunc ex verbo non creditis.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">καὶ ἀπʼ ἐμαυτοῦ</span>, etc.] still dependent on <span class="greekheb">ὅτι</span>, and, indeed, as far as <span class="greekheb">μετʼ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν</span>; so that to the universal <span class="greekheb">ποιῶ</span>, the special <span class="greekheb">λαλῶ</span> <span class="ital">and</span> the general <span class="greekheb">μετʼ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν</span> (is my helper and support) <span class="ital">together</span> correspond. Hence there is no brevity of discourse requiring to be completed by supplying in thought <span class="greekheb">λαλῶ</span> to <span class="greekheb">ποιῶ</span>, and <span class="greekheb">ποιῶ</span> along with <span class="greekheb">λαλῶ</span> (De Wette, after Bengel). Nonnus already took the correct view (he begins <a href="/john/8-29.htm" title="And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.">John 8:29</a> with <span class="greekheb">ὅττι καὶ</span>, etc.); and the objection (Lücke, De Wette, and several others) that <span class="greekheb">οὐκ ἀφῆκε</span>, etc. would then stand too disconnected, has no force, since it is just in John that the asyndetic continuation of a discourse is very common, and, in fact, would also be the case here if <span class="greekheb">καὶ ὁ πέμψ</span>. etc. were no longer dependent on <span class="greekheb">ὅτι</span>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">ταῦτα</span>] is arbitrarily and without precedent (<a href="/matthew/9-33.htm" title="And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.">Matthew 9:33</a> cannot be adduced as one) explained as equivalent to <span class="greekheb">οὕτως</span>, from a commingling of two notions. By the demonstrative <span class="greekheb">ταῦτα</span> Jesus means <span class="ital">His doctrine</span> generally (comp. <a href="/john/8-26.htm" title="I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.">John 8:26</a>), <span class="ital">with whose presentation He was now occupied</span>. But of this He discoursed in harmony with the instructions received from the Father, <span class="ital">i.e.</span> in harmony with the instructions derived from His direct intuition of divine truth with the Father prior to His incarnation. Comp. <a href="/john/8-38.htm" title="I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.">John 8:38</a>; <a href="/john/1-18.htm" title="No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.">John 1:18</a>; <a href="/john/3-13.htm" title="And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.">John 3:13</a>; <a href="/john/6-46.htm" title="Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father.">John 6:46</a>; <a href="/john/7-16.htm" title="Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.">John 7:16</a> f.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">οὑκ ἀφῆκε</span>, etc.] Independent corroboration of the last thought, negatively expressed on account of His apparent forsakenness in the face of many and powerful enemies. The <span class="ital">Praet</span>. refers to <span class="ital">the experience felt in every case, during the course of His entire activity, until now</span> (comp. afterwards <span class="greekheb">πάντοτε</span>), not to the <span class="ital">point of time when He was sent;</span> the reason afterwards assigned would not be appropriate to this latter reference. Comp. also <a href="/john/16-32.htm" title="Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.">John 16:32</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">ὅτι ἐγὼ</span>, etc.] <span class="ital">because I</span>, etc. Reason assigned for the <span class="greekheb">οὐκ ἀφῆκε</span>, etc. How could He ever leave me alone, as I am He who, etc.? (<span class="greekheb">ἐγώ</span> with emphasis). Comp. <a href="/john/15-10.htm" title="If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.">John 15:10</a>. Olshausen regards <span class="greekheb">οὐκ ἀφῆκε</span>, etc. as the expression of <span class="ital">equality of essence</span>, and <span class="greekheb">ὅτι</span> as assigning the <span class="ital">ground of His knowledge</span>. The former idea is erroneous, as the meaning of <span class="greekheb">οὐκ ἀφῆκε</span>, etc. is identical with that of <span class="greekheb">μετʼ ἐμοῦ ἐστιν</span>; and the latter would be an inadequate reason, because it relates merely to moral agreement.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/egt/john/8.htm">Expositor's Greek Testament</a></div><a href="/john/8-28.htm" title="Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.">John 8:28</a>. Therefore (<span class="greekheb">οὖν</span>) Jesus said to them, <span class="greekheb">Ὅταν</span> … <span class="greekheb">εἰμι</span>, “when ye have lifted up the Son of Man, them shall ye know that I am He”. <span class="greekheb">ὑψώσητε</span> has the double reference of elevation on the cross and elevation to the Messianic throne, <span class="ital">cf.</span> <a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:">John 3:14</a>. The people were thus to elevate Him and then they would recognise Him, <a href="/acts/2-37.htm" title="Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers, what shall we do?">Acts 2:37</a>, etc.—<span class="greekheb">ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι</span> “that I am He,” <span class="ital">i.e.</span>, “the Son of Man”. What follows is not dependent on <span class="greekheb">ὅτι</span> (against Meyer, Holtzmann, Westcott); the <span class="greekheb">καὶ ἀπʼ ἐμαυτοῦ</span> begins a new statement, as the present, <span class="greekheb">ποιῶ</span>, shows. The sequence of thought is: ye shall know that I am Messiah: and indeed I now act as such, for of myself I do nothing, but as my Father has taught me, so I speak. This is the present proof that He was Messiah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/cambridge/john/8.htm">Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges</a></div><span class="bld">28</span>. <span class="ital">Then said Jesus unto them</span>] Better, as so often (see on <span class="ital"><a href="/john/8-21.htm" title="Then said Jesus again to them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come.">John 8:21</a></span>), <span class="bld">Therefore</span> <span class="ital">said Jesus</span>, i.e. in consequence of their gross want of perception. ‘Unto them’ is of doubtful authority.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">When ye have lifted up</span>] On the Cross: comp. <a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:">John 3:14</a> and <a href="/john/12-32.htm" title="And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.">John 12:32</a>. The Crucifixion was the act of the Jews, as Peter tells them in Solomon’s Porch (<a href="/context/acts/3-13.htm" title="The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus; whom you delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go....">Acts 3:13-15</a>).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">then shall ye know</span>] Better, <span class="ital">then shall ye</span> <span class="bld">perceive</span>. It is the same verb as is used in <span class="ital"><a href="/john/8-27.htm" title="They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father.">John 8:27</a></span>, and evidently refers back to that (comp. <span class="ital"><a href="/john/8-43.htm" title="Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.">John 8:43</a></span>). Had they known the Messiah they would have known His Father also (<a href="/john/14-9.htm" title="Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?">John 14:9</a>). But when by crucifying Him they have brought about His glory, then and not till then will their eyes be opened. Then will facts force upon them what no words could teach them. Comp. <a href="/john/12-32.htm" title="And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.">John 12:32</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">that I am he</span>] See on <span class="ital"><a href="/john/8-24.htm" title="I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.">John 8:24</a></span>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">but as my Father hath taught me</span>] Better, <span class="ital">but</span> <span class="bld">that</span> <span class="ital">as My Father</span> <span class="bld">taught</span> <span class="ital">Me</span>, i.e. before the Incarnation; aorist, not perfect, like ‘heard’ in <span class="ital"><a href="/john/8-26.htm" title="I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.">John 8:26</a></span>. The construction depending on ‘then shall ye understand’ continues to the end of this verse, and possibly down to ‘is with Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/bengel/john/8.htm">Bengel's Gnomen</a></div><a href="/john/8-28.htm" title="Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.">John 8:28</a>. <span class="greekheb">Ὑψώσητε</span>, <span class="ital">ye shall lift up</span>) on the cross.—<span class="greekheb">τότε</span>) <span class="ital">then</span>, not before: <a href="/1_corinthians/2-8.htm" title="Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.">1 Corinthians 2:8</a>, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”—<span class="greekheb">γνώσεσθε</span>) <span class="ital">ye shall know</span> from the fact, what now ye believe not on the credit of My word; <a href="/john/8-24.htm" title="I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.">John 8:24</a>, “I said, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.’ We read the event recorded, <a href="/matthew/27-54.htm" title="Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.">Matthew 27:54</a>, “When the centurion, and they that were with him, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly and said, Truly this was the Son of God;” <a href="/luke/23-47.htm" title="Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.">Luke 23:47</a>, etc., “All the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts;” <a href="/acts/2-41.htm" title="Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls.">Acts 2:41</a>, “Three thousand souls—added” [to the church on Pentecost]; <a href="/john/21-20.htm" title="Then Peter, turning about, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrays you?">John 21:20</a>, “Thou seest how many thousands of Jews there are, which believe.”—<span class="greekheb">καὶ</span>, <span class="ital">and</span>) The connection of the words is this; <span class="ital">I am</span> (that which at some time to come ye shall know) <span class="ital">and I do nothing of Myself</span>, etc. From this to the end of <a href="/john/8-29.htm" title="And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.">John 8:29</a> there are four sentences: The first begins with, <span class="ital">and I of Myself</span>; the second with, <span class="ital">and He who</span>; the third with, <span class="ital">hath not left me</span>; the fourth with, <span class="ital">because</span> [for]. Of these the second and third are parallel; and also the first and fourth.—<span class="greekheb">ποιῶ</span>, <span class="ital">I do</span>) Understand, <span class="ital">and I speak</span>.—<span class="greekheb">καθὼς</span>—<span class="greekheb">ταῦτα</span>, <span class="ital">as—these things</span>) A similar mode of expression occurs, <a href="/numbers/32-31.htm" title="And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD has said to your servants, so will we do.">Numbers 32:31</a>, <span class="greekheb">ὅσα</span>—<span class="greekheb">οὕτω</span>, <span class="ital">whatsoever things</span> [the Lord hath said]—<span class="ital">so</span> [will we do].—See Comen. in Didact.—<span class="greekheb">λαλῶ</span>) <span class="ital">these things</span>, which I speak, <span class="ital">I speak</span>. Understand, <span class="ital">and I do</span>. The one is to be supplied from the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="pul" id="pul"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - But when Jesus turns to them again he calls special attention to the main source of their continuous misconception and rejection. Not only is he "the Son," and "the Son of God," but indubitably he is also "the Son of man." He has come down from heaven and is before them as a Man among men - "one Jesus." He has taken upon himself the form of a slave, the fashion of man. That the manifestation of the Divine should be perfectly realized in the human, though a fundamental truth lying at the heart of all revelation, is nevertheless <span class="accented">not</span> the alphabet of Divine teaching; nay, it is the very highest and most recondite of all truths. This humbled humanity of the incarnate Logos led on to other issues of enormous significance. The eternal Son in the form of God would become, as "Son of man," obedient unto death. The highest revelation of the Son of God, and therefore of the Father, would be effected by the surrender of that mysterious life of his for the world's behoof. The previous announcements of this truth, which we now see to be the very crown and culmination of the gospel, had greatly offended his hearers of all kinds, and on distinct grounds. In the words that follow a touch of deeper meaning than any which had preceded is supplied when he proceeds to associate this death of the Son of man with the wilful act of the ecclesiastical authorities in Jerusalem. <span class="cmt_word">Jesus therefore said</span> (<span class="accented">unto them</span>), <span class="cmt_word">When ye shall have lifted up the Son of man</span> (compare here notes on John 3:14; 6:62; 12:32). The word <span class="greek">ὑψόω</span> is used with the twofold sense of exaltation on the cross" signifying by what death he should glorify God" - and also of the issues of that lifting up by means of the tree of ignoble torment and mortal agony to the throne of glory. The twofold meaning of the word cannot be excluded here. <span class="cmt_word">Then ye shall come to</span> <span class="cmt_word">know</span> - then the process of proof will be completed - <span class="cmt_word">that I am</span> (<span class="cmt_word">he</span>) - that I am that which fundamentally I am declaring to you, that my testimonies have unique but trenchant confirmation - <span class="cmt_word">and that I am doing nothing from myself, but that even as the Father taught me,</span> (so) <span class="cmt_word">these things I speak.</span> The "he that sent me" (ver. 26), is here replaced by "the Father." "The things which I heard from (<span class="greek">παρὰ</span>) him" is replaced by "even as the Father taught me," and the <span class="greek">ταῦτα λαλῶ</span> are repeated. "The cross and the crown" will be the proof to the most obtuse and bigoted "<span class="accented">that I am</span> that which I say I am." The forecast is here given of the conversion of his murderers, the overwhelming effects produced by the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus, and the gift of the Holy Ghost (<a href="/acts/2-36.htm">Acts 2:36</a>; <a href="/acts/4-4.htm">Acts 4:4</a>; <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Acts 6:7</a>; <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Romans 11:11</a>). Bengel: "Cognoscetis ex re, quod nunc ex verbo non creditis." John 8:28<a name="vws" id="vws"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/vws/john/8.htm">Vincent's Word Studies</a></div>Lifted up<p>See on <a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14</a>.<p>Ye shall know (γνώσεσθε)<p>Render, perceive, here as in <a href="/john/8-27.htm">John 8:27</a>.<p>I am He<p>As in <a href="http://biblehub.com/john/8-24.htm">John 8:24</a>, on which see note.<p>Of myself (ἀπ' ἐμαυτοῦ)<p>Properly, from myself, as Rev., at <a href="http://biblehub.com/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17</a>, but not here. See on <a href="/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17</a>.<p>Hath taught (ἐδίδαξεν)<p>Rev., more correctly, taught. The aorist tense, regarding the teaching as a single act. Compare ἤκουσα, I heard, <a href="/john/3-32.htm">John 3:32</a>.<p>I speak these things (παῦτα λαλῶ)<p>Not equivalent to so I speak (i.e., as the Father taught me), but an absolute declaration with reference to these present revelations. <div class="vheading2">Links</div><a href="/interlinear/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 Interlinear</a><br /><a href="/texts/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 Parallel Texts</a><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/niv/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://bibleapps.com/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 Bible Apps</a><br /><a href="/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 Parallel</a><br /><a href="http://bibliaparalela.com/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="http://holybible.com.cn/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="http://saintebible.com/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="http://bibeltext.com/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28 German Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a><br /></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td align="center"><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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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><br /><br /> </div> <div id="left"><a href="../john/8-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../john/8-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:29" /></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>