John 2:25 kjv
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
John 2:25 nkjv
and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
John 2:25 niv
He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
John 2:25 esv
and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
John 2:25 nlt
No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person's heart.
John 2 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 139:1-4 | O LORD, you have searched me and known me!... you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. | God's absolute knowledge of all human thoughts. |
| Jer 17:10 | “I, the LORD, search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” | The LORD's prerogative to know and test hearts. |
| 1 Kgs 8:39 | ...for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of men, | God alone possesses knowledge of all hearts. |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | Nothing is hidden from God's sight. |
| Rev 2:23 | I am he who searches mind and heart... | Jesus identifies Himself as the heart-searcher. |
| Jn 1:48 | Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." | Jesus' specific knowledge of individuals. |
| Jn 4:17-18 | ...You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. This you truly said.” | Jesus reveals divine knowledge to the Samaritan woman. |
| Jn 6:64 | But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) | Jesus knew the true state of faith of His followers, including Judas. |
| Acts 1:24 | And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen..." | Acknowledges the Lord's knowledge of hearts. |
| Lk 9:47 | But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and set him by his side... | Jesus' immediate knowledge of unspoken thoughts. |
| Jer 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? | Describes the inherent deceitfulness of the human heart. |
| Mk 7:21-23 | For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” | What truly originates from within mankind. |
| Gen 6:5 | The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. | The inherent wickedness of the human heart. |
| Ps 14:1-3 | ...There is none who does good, no not one. | Universality of human sinfulness. |
| Rom 3:10-12 | as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” | Emphasizes universal human unrighteousness. |
| Tit 1:15 | To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but even their mind and their conscience are defiled. | Describes the internal defilement of the unbelieving. |
| Jn 5:41 | I receive no glory from men. | Jesus' self-sufficiency, not needing human validation. |
| Jn 5:31-36 | "If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me..." "I do not accept testimony from man." | Jesus does not rely on human testimony. |
| Isa 11:3 | ...He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, | Prophecy of Messiah's divine discernment. |
| Jn 21:17 | He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." | Peter acknowledges Jesus' comprehensive knowledge. |
| 1 Cor 2:11 | For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. | Highlights that only a divine being knows divine thoughts. Applied here, Jesus knows human thoughts because of His divinity. |
| Mt 9:4 | But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?" | Jesus' ability to read thoughts in action. |
| Lk 5:22 | When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts?" | Jesus' awareness of inner questioning. |
John 2 verses
John 2 25 Meaning
John 2:25 explains why Jesus did not entrust Himself to many who "believed" in His name after seeing His signs. It reveals Jesus' inherent, divine omniscience and perfect understanding of humanity. He possesses a complete and profound knowledge of every individual's inner thoughts, motives, character, and true spiritual condition, without needing anyone to testify to Him about them. This verse underscores Jesus' absolute insight into the depths of the human heart, seeing beyond outward appearances or superficial expressions of faith.
John 2 25 Context
John 2:25 immediately follows a passage describing Jesus' actions and the public's reaction during the Passover in Jerusalem. Jesus had cleared the temple, proclaiming His authority and prophesying His resurrection through the sign of destroying and rebuilding the temple in three days (Jn 2:13-22). As a result of the "signs" (miracles) He performed, "many believed in his name" (Jn 2:23). However, the subsequent verse, John 2:24, states that "Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them." This raises a critical question: why not? John 2:25 provides the direct answer, asserting Jesus' divine insight into the true nature of human beings. This section introduces the stark contrast between superficial belief based on signs and genuine, transforming faith, a major theme developed throughout John's Gospel, particularly as it leads into the crucial discourse with Nicodemus in chapter 3, who comes to Jesus at night, perhaps out of caution, showing his true spiritual quest.
John 2 25 Word analysis
- For (γὰρ - gar): This is a causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." It introduces the explanation or reason for the preceding statement (Jesus not entrusting Himself to those who 'believed' in Him). It clarifies the rationale behind Jesus' actions, connecting it to His inherent understanding.
- he himself (αὐτὸς - autos): An emphatic pronoun. It puts strong emphasis on Jesus as the subject, stressing His personal, independent, and intrinsic knowledge. It indicates that Jesus' understanding did not come from external sources, human testimony, or deduction, but from His own divine nature.
- knew (ᾔδει - ēdei): Imperfect indicative of the verb οἶδα (oida), which means "to know" in the sense of possessing inherent, intuitive, or experiential knowledge, as opposed to γινώσκω (ginoskō), which often implies knowledge gained through experience or learning. The imperfect tense denotes a continuous or habitual state of knowing; Jesus always and inherently knew. This verb choice signifies deep, comprehensive, and non-acquired wisdom.
- what was in (τὸ ἐν - to en): Literally "the (thing) in." "Το" (to) is the definite article "the," and "ἐν" (en) is the preposition "in." This phrase points to the inner, hidden reality, the core being, the true disposition, thoughts, motivations, and moral character. It signifies the true essence of a person beyond outward appearance, words, or actions.
- man (τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ - tō anthrōpō): This is the generic singular, referring to humanity as a whole, "mankind" or "any human being." It implies a universal understanding of human nature, not just a specific knowledge of a few individuals. Jesus knows the essence of all humanity's fallen state, weaknesses, and potential for deceit or true spiritual need.
- "For he himself knew": This phrase directly asserts Jesus' divine attribute of omniscience. His knowledge is presented as originating from Himself, an inherent aspect of His being, rather than from information supplied by others or empirical observation. It speaks to His divine authority and complete understanding.
- "what was in man": This signifies Jesus' profound insight into the human heart's deepest thoughts, intentions, and motives, including its propensity for sin, superficiality, and self-deception (Jer 17:9-10). It highlights that He sees past outward expressions of faith or impressed wonder, to the true spiritual condition, whether genuine or self-serving.
John 2 25 Bonus section
This verse implies a clear distinction between superficial faith ("many believed in his name" in John 2:23, likely due to emotional reaction or desire for wonders) and genuine, transforming faith (the type of faith Jesus sought and entrusted Himself to). Jesus’ divine knowledge ensures that His assessment of true belief is infallible and His discernment absolute. This insight undergirds Jesus' entire ministry, as He consistently addressed the underlying spiritual condition of individuals rather than just their expressed words or visible actions. It highlights His unique position as the one who "knows what is in man," demonstrating His qualification not only as Saviour but also as ultimate Judge.
John 2 25 Commentary
John 2:25 is a profound theological statement affirming the deity of Jesus Christ by highlighting His divine attribute of omniscience. It serves as a pivotal explanation for Jesus' cautious approach towards those who "believed" in Him solely based on the miracles they witnessed. Unlike human discernment, which is limited to external cues, Jesus possessed an inherent, complete knowledge of the hidden depths of the human heart, its motivations, intentions, and spiritual state. He understood that many who followed Him for His signs sought sensation or earthly benefit, rather than genuine repentance, submission, or saving faith. This discerning insight protected Him from investing His ministry or Person fully into superficial relationships. The verse teaches us that true faith is not merely intellectual assent to miracles or an outward show of devotion, but a transformation of the inner being known only to God. It calls us to examine our own hearts, knowing that Christ sees beyond our external facade and desires authentic, internal belief.