John 2 24

John 2:24 kjv

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

John 2:24 nkjv

But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,

John 2:24 niv

But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.

John 2:24 esv

But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people

John 2:24 nlt

But Jesus didn't trust them, because he knew all about people.

John 2 verses

John 2 24 Meaning

John 2:24 reveals a crucial aspect of Jesus' divine nature and His discernment of human motives. After performing signs in Jerusalem, many "believed in His name," yet Jesus Himself did not entrust or commit to them. This indicates that their belief was superficial, perhaps based solely on external miracles without true heart-transformation or genuine faith. Jesus' refusal to entrust Himself stemmed from His inherent, comprehensive knowledge of all humanity, understanding their true intentions and the depths of their hearts, distinguishing genuine faith from fleeting or opportunistic conviction.

John 2 24 Context

John 2:24 immediately follows the account of Jesus' first signs in Jerusalem during the Passover feast, specifically after the temple cleansing and the promise of raising the temple in three days. John 2:23 states that "many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing." This verse (2:24) serves as a critical interpretive bridge, clarifying the nature of that "belief." It reveals that Jesus did not consider this belief to be genuine or deep enough to warrant Him fully entrusting Himself to these individuals. The historical context shows Jerusalem at Passover teeming with pilgrims, many of whom were drawn to miracles but perhaps not to a radical call to repentance or a full acceptance of Jesus' identity beyond that of a mere miracle worker or prophet. John often contrasts genuine, saving faith with superficial adherence. This verse establishes Jesus' divine understanding of human motives from the outset of His public ministry.

John 2 24 Word analysis

• But Jesus (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς, ho de Iēsous): The conjunction "But" (δὲ) signals a contrast. The preceding verse (2:23) describes how "many believed," yet Jesus' response to their belief is presented as different or contrary to what one might expect. It emphasizes His sovereign discretion and independent judgment.
• on his part (αὐτὸς, autos): The emphatic pronoun "he himself" or "on his part" reinforces that this was Jesus' deliberate, conscious decision. It was not a reaction, but a foundational stance based on His own inner knowledge and divine wisdom.
• did not entrust himself (οὐκ ἐπίστευεν ἑαυτὸν, ouk episteuen heauton): This is a unique and significant use of the Greek verb pisteuō (πιστεύω), which typically means "to believe" or "to trust." Here, it's used reflexively ("entrust himself") and transitively with an object ("to them," implied). It means Jesus did not commit Himself, His person, His full mission, or reveal all His secrets to them, nor did He place confidence or rely upon them. Unlike the people who "believed in his name," Jesus did not place His "trust" in them. This implies that their "belief" was not strong or pure enough for Him to establish a deep, mutual relationship of trust or dependency. This shows His divine prudence and guardedness.
• to them (αὐτοῖς, autois): Refers to the "many" mentioned in John 2:23 who "believed in his name when they saw the signs." This shows that belief based on signs alone is insufficient for a deep relationship with Jesus.
• because (διὰ τὸ, dia to): Introduces the reason for Jesus' action. This is the divine rationale behind His withholding of trust.
• he knew (γιγνώσκειν, gignōskein or γινώσκειν, ginōskein): This verb (ginōskō) refers to an experiential or deep, intimate knowledge, rather than mere factual acquaintance (oida). Here, it conveys Jesus' perfect, inherent, and comprehensive understanding of the innermost thoughts, motives, and character of humanity. It’s a knowledge not gained through observation, but intrinsic to His being.
• all people (πάντας ἀνθρώπους, pantas anthrōpous): This is a universal statement. Jesus' knowledge extends beyond just those specific individuals in Jerusalem to humanity in general. This points to His divine omniscience and His ability to perceive the true nature of every human heart. He does not need human testimony (cf. John 5:31), for He knows humanity intimately and exhaustively, including its sinfulness, deceitfulness, and superficiality. This comprehensive knowledge is why He did not rely on those whose "faith" was shallow.

John 2 24 Bonus section

The profound implication of John 2:24 extends to how Jesus chose to minister and whom He fully discipled. His decision not to "entrust Himself" suggests a boundary based on His intimate knowledge of spiritual readiness and genuine receptivity. This explains why, despite massive popularity early on, Jesus ultimately focused on a smaller group of twelve disciples whom He trained intensively. It was to them, not the sign-seekers, that He committed the deepest truths and future of His Kingdom. This discernment served to protect His message and mission from those whose loyalty was contingent on miracles or earthly benefits. It also models for us the importance of divine wisdom in our own discerning of relationships and commitments within the spiritual walk, to guard the truth and precious resources God provides.

John 2 24 Commentary

John 2:24 provides a critical lens through which to understand the nature of faith and Jesus' divine perception. While many "believed" upon witnessing His miracles, Jesus, in His absolute divine wisdom, did not consider their belief sufficient for Him to truly "entrust" Himself to them. This is not about Jesus lacking trust in a way that suggests weakness or human fault, but rather a profound theological statement about His discerning knowledge.

Their faith, built solely on the spectacle of signs, lacked depth and true commitment. It was a superficial appreciation of His power, not a deep submission to His person and His saving work. Jesus' inherent knowledge of "all people" means He perfectly understands the human heart—its frailties, its capacity for deception, and its propensity for self-interest even in religious matters (Jer 17:9). He recognized that their "belief" might fade under trial, change with circumstance, or was seeking benefits rather than true spiritual transformation.

Therefore, Jesus, exercising divine prudence, guarded Himself and His full mission. He did not hastily reveal all truths or rely on their support, knowing their inner motives. This verse teaches us that not all belief is saving faith. Genuine faith involves more than intellectual assent to Jesus' power; it requires a transformed heart that trusts Him unconditionally and desires to follow His teachings, even when signs are absent or the path becomes difficult. It underscores Jesus' omniscience as a key attribute demonstrating His divine nature from the earliest stages of His ministry, emphasizing that He sees beyond outward appearances and into the heart of humanity.