John 8:27
John 8:27 in Multiple Translations
They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.
They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
They perceived not that he spake to them of the Father.
They did not see that his words were about the Father.
They didn't understand that he was talking to them about the Father.
They vnderstoode not that hee spake to them of the Father.
They knew not that of the Father he spake to them;
They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father.
They understood not that he spoke to them concerning the Father.
And they understood not, that he called God his Father.
They did not understand that he was talking about his Father in heaven.
The people listening to Jesus didn’t understand that he was talking about his father in heaven.
Berean Amplified Bible — John 8:27
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John 8:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — John 8:27
Study Notes — John 8:27
- Context
- Cross References
- John 8:27 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on John 8:27
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 8:27
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 8:27
- Trapp's Commentary on John 8:27
- Ellicott's Commentary on John 8:27
- Cambridge Bible on John 8:27
- Barnes' Notes on John 8:27
- Whedon's Commentary on John 8:27
- Sermons on John 8:27
Context — Jesus the Light of the World
27They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.
28So 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. 29He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 6:9 | And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ |
| 2 | John 8:43 | Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. |
| 3 | 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 | And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
| 4 | Isaiah 59:10 | Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead. |
| 5 | Isaiah 42:18–20 | Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see! Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD? Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear.” |
| 6 | Romans 11:7–10 | What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” |
| 7 | John 8:47 | Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” |
John 8:27 Summary
This verse means that the people didn't understand that Jesus was talking about God the Father when He was teaching them. Jesus was trying to show them who God is and what He is like, but they didn't get it. This is like when someone is trying to tell us something important, but we're not really listening. We can learn from this by paying attention to Jesus' words and trying to understand what He is saying about God, as He says in John 8:28 that He speaks exactly what the Father has taught Him. By listening to Jesus, we can gain a deeper understanding of who God is and what He wants for our lives (John 14:9-11).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the people not understand that Jesus was talking about the Father?
The people did not understand because they were focused on Jesus' physical presence and teachings, rather than recognizing His spiritual connection to the Father, as seen in John 8:26 where Jesus says the One who sent Him is truthful.
What does it mean that Jesus was telling them about the Father?
Jesus was revealing the character and nature of God the Father, as He had been taught by the Father, and this is evident in John 8:28 where Jesus says He speaks exactly what the Father has taught Him.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Gospel of John?
This verse highlights the theme of Jesus' divine origin and His unique relationship with the Father, which is a central theme in the Gospel of John, as seen in John 1:1 and John 14:9-11.
What can we learn from the people's misunderstanding in this verse?
We can learn the importance of listening carefully to Jesus' words and seeking to understand His spiritual teachings, rather than just focusing on physical appearances or surface-level meanings, as warned in Matthew 13:14-15 and Mark 8:18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like the people in this verse, may be misunderstanding or overlooking Jesus' teachings in my own life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of Jesus' relationship with the Father, and what implications does this have for my own relationship with God?
- In what ways do I need to 'lift up' Jesus in my life, as mentioned in John 8:28, in order to gain a deeper understanding of who He is and what He teaches?
- What are some truths about the Father that Jesus has revealed to me, and how can I apply these truths to my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on John 8:27
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 8:27
Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 8:27
Trapp's Commentary on John 8:27
Ellicott's Commentary on John 8:27
Cambridge Bible on John 8:27
Barnes' Notes on John 8:27
Whedon's Commentary on John 8:27
Sermons on John 8:27
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Cross and the Person of Christ by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that the true understanding of Christ's Person is inseparable from the Cross, and vice versa. He explains that the disciples initially struggled to acce |
|
The Enemy of Revival - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher starts by quoting a scripture about the children of Israel doing evil in the sight of the Lord and being delivered into the hands of the Philistines fo |
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Virgin Lock Out by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a devoted heart towards God. He highlights that many people claim to be followers of God but lack true commitment a |
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Are We Blind Too? by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the coming of Jesus into the world brings about a division among people. He explains that encountering Jesus and his claims forces indiv |
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Finn-04 Restoration of Israel in the Last Days by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker, who is a Jew from New York City, shares his personal journey of living in a remote location in North America. He explains that he was led by the word o |
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Ger-06 the Apocalyptic Perspective by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker begins by acknowledging his physical fatigue but emphasizes that God's strength is perfected in weakness. He then prays for God to use him as a vessel a |
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What Is the Secret of Your Strength - Part 1 (Alternative) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the fear and anxieties that people have in today's generation. He emphasizes the importance of stillness and knowing that God is in control. |





