No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.
Parallel translations
- WEB and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
- KJV And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
- BSB He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
- NKJV and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
- NASB and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in mankind.
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 needed no one to inform him about people, for he already knew what was in the human heart. This affirms his divine insight into human nature.
Overview
John completes the thought of verse 24: Jesus' knowledge of humanity is direct and complete, a quality elsewhere attributed to God. This sober assessment of 'what was in man' anticipates the biblical realism about human sin that the new birth (chapter 3) will address. It also reassures believers that the Savior who knows us fully still loves and redeems us.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- John 13:11For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”
- Matt 9:4Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
- John 6:64But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him.
- John 6:61But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 2:25 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.