Bible Strands
John 2:24
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator speaks of Jesus in Jerusalem during Passover, after signs have produced belief in His name (John 2:23). This is not a spoken statement but a description of His posture toward those believers.
The words — ἐπίστευεν (episteuen), imperfect tense, "was entrusting" — an ongoing, repeated non-entrustal, not a single refusal. The reflexive αὐτόν with αὐτοῖς renders "Himself to them," marking the trust as personal and directed.
The thread — The same penetrating knowledge appears in John 6:64 (He knew from the beginning who would not believe), Matthew 9:4 (He knew what they were thinking), and Acts 1:24 (the prayer that the Lord knows everyone's heart).
Why it lands — The verse separates belief in Jesus's name from entrusting yourself to Him; a reader is asked to examine which of the two they actually possess.
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 Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
Cross-references
- John 6:64 However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)
- Matthew 9:4 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
- Acts 1:24 And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
- Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
- Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- John 5:42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you.
- John 16:30 Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.”
- Revelation 2:23 Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.