Bible Strands
John 2:25
He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks about the many who believed in His name during the Passover in Jerusalem, clarifying His deliberate restraint in trusting them. He makes this statement about human nature rather than addressing the crowd or religious observers directly.
The words — χρείαν (chreian) = need and ἵνα (ina) = that. The Greek literally constructs the phrase "He had no need that anyone may testify," emphasizing the absence of requirement for external witness.
The thread — This theme of divine foreknowledge of human hearts appears in Matthew 9:4, where Jesus knows their thoughts, and in John 13:11 and John 6:64, where He identifies those who will betray Him or not believe.
Why it lands — The text states that Jesus possesses complete knowledge of human nature without relying on human testimony. It asks a reader to stop seeking validation from people and trust His accurate assessment of the heart.
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
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Cross-references
- Matthew 9:4 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
- John 13:11 For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
- 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.)
- John 6:61 Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this teaching, Jesus asked them, “Does this offend you?