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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 8:55 - 8:55
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
And ye have not known him (kai ouk egnōkate auton). Adversative use again of kai = “and yet.” Perfect active indicative of ginōskō, the verb for experiential knowledge. This was true of the kosmos (Joh 1:10; Joh 17:25) and of the hostile Jews (Joh 16:3). Jesus prays that the world may know (Joh 17:23) and the handful of disciples had come to know (Joh 17:25).
But I know him (egō de oida auton). Equipped by eternal fellowship to reveal the Father (1:1-18). This peculiar intimate knowledge Jesus had already claimed (Joh 7:29). Jesus used oida (Joh 8:19; Joh 15:21) or ginōskō (Joh 17:23, Joh 17:25) for the knowledge of the Father. No undue distinction can be drawn here.
And if I should say (kan eipō). Third-class condition (concession), “even if I say,” with kai ean (kan) and second aorist active subjunctive. “Suppose I say.”
I shall be like you a liar (esomai homoios humin pseustēs). Apodosis of the condition. Homoios (like) is followed by the associative-instrumental case humin. The word pseustēs (liar), in spite of the statement that they are the children of the devil, the father of lying (Joh 8:44), comes with a sudden jolt because it is a direct charge. This word liar is not considered polite today in public speech when hurled at definite individuals. There is a rather free use of the word in 1Jo 2:4, 1Jo 2:22; 1Jo 4:20; 1Jo 5:10. It is not hard to imagine the quick anger of these Pharisees.