Bible Strands
1 John 2:20
You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — John writes to a community that has just lost members to a departing faction (v.19); the moment is post-schism, and he is affirming what the remaining believers still possess.
The words — χρῖσμα (chrisma, "anointing") is used here as a substantive noun, not a verb: it is a thing the readers have, not an act being performed on them.
The thread — 1 John 2:27 picks up the same word, saying the anointing "remains in you" and that no one needs to teach them; John 14:26 assigns the Spirit the role of teaching and reminding; 2 Corinthians 1:21 states that God "anointed us" in Christ.
Why it lands — The verse is an assertion, not an invitation: the anointing and the knowledge are already in hand, so the reader's task is recognition, not acquisition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
Cross-references
- 1 John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
- John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21 Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us,
- Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
- Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
- Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
- John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
- Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”
- 1 John 4:13 By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.