Bible Strands
John 8:28
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His listeners in John 8 immediately after they fail to grasp His prior reference to the Father. He speaks directly about His impending death and His ongoing relationship with the One who sent Him.
The words — The Greek ὑψώσητε (hupsōsēte) literally means "you may have lifted up," a clear reference to the crucifixion. Jesus declares that this act will reveal His true identity and His absolute reliance on the Father's teaching.
The thread — This insistence on divine dependency appears in John 5:19, John 5:30, and John 6:38, where Jesus consistently states He acts only by the Father's direction and will. Each passage reinforces that His words and works originate entirely from the Father.
Why it lands — The text states that the crucifixion will serve as the definitive proof of Jesus' identity and His perfect submission to the Father. It demands that a reader recognize Jesus' authority as derived, not self-generated, and judge His claims by His obedience rather than His origin.
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
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Cross-references
- John 5:19 So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
- John 5:30 I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
- John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.
- John 12:49 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it.
- John 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
- John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
- Matthew 27:50 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit.
- John 8:24 That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
- John 11:42 I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”