But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all.
Parallel translations
- WEB But Jesus didn’t trust himself to them, because he knew everyone,
- KJV But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
- NKJV But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
- NASB But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew all people,
- NLT But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus did not entrust himself to these admirers because he knew all people and their hearts. His divine knowledge means he is never deceived by superficial enthusiasm.
Overview
There is a wordplay in the Greek: many 'believed' (entrusted themselves) to Jesus, but Jesus did not 'entrust' himself to them. His knowing of every person reflects a divine attribute and connects to John's larger theme that Jesus sees and judges truly. Genuine relationship with Christ rests not on our impressing him but on his gracious, all-knowing initiative.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- John 6:64However, 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.)
- Acts 1:24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
- Matt 9:4But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
- Heb 4:13Nothing 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 Chr 28:9As 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 Sam 16:7But 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.”
- Jer 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- John 5:42but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you.
- John 16:30Now 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.”
- Rev 2:23Then 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.
- Mark 2:8At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.
- John 21:17Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
- John 6:15Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.
- 1 Chr 29:17I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.
- John 1:42Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).
- Matt 10:16–17Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- John 1:46–47“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 2:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.