John 7:28
Then 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.
John 7:28
In John 7:28, Jesus publicly cries out in the temple, “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.” This moment marks a direct, personal address to his listeners. Jesus asserts intimate knowledge of his audience: they know where he is from in a human sense (born in Nazareth) but fail to recognize the divine origin of his mission—the Father who sent him. The paradox is clear: people know Jesus’ origin, yet they do not truly know the Father who sent him, and therefore do not recognize the truth standing before them. Jesus’ insistence that his source is the true one reflects Johannine emphasis on revelation through relationship with the Father and the Spirit. This scene heightens the conflict: the religious leaders’ familiarity with outward appearances cannot grasp the deeper reality of God’s sending.
This verse underscores key Johannine themes: Jesus’ unity with the Father, the idea of “sending,” and the contrast between human knowledge and divine truth. The “true” sender is God, whose truth remains elusive to those who reject him. Jesus’ self-understanding as one sent by the Father demonstrates the legitimacy of his authority and mission, pointing readers toward the broader revelation that salvation comes through the Father’s initiative, not human initiative. It also introduces the idea that knowing God involves recognizing the Father’s sending. This is a pivotal moment in the Gospel’s trajectory toward the crucifixion and resurrection, where Jesus acts as the definitive emissary who reveals the Father to the world.
Practically, this invites a posture of receptivity: are you listening for who God is sending into your life today—a preacher, a colleague, a neighbor, a burdened friend? Honor the messenger God may place before you and evaluate messages by their alignment with God’s character and truth, not by the messenger’s pedigree. Also consider your own sense of “origin”: do you primarily identify with your background, or do you recognize your life as “sent” by God to contribute to his purposes? This can reframe your work, relationships, and decisions, inviting you to seek God’s instruction before relying on personal plans. In moments of confusion, return to Jesus’ claim that the Father sent him; this anchors us in trust that God’s sending is purposeful and good.
Cross-References: John 5:23-24; John 8:16-19; John 8:42; Galatians 1:1; Hebrews 3:1