John 7:29 – “But I know him because I am from him, and he sent me.”

Extended Explanation

In John 7:29, Jesus continues to speak boldly about His divine origin. The people in the temple courts were debating who He was. Many assumed they knew where He came from, believing He was just a man from Nazareth (John 7:27). But Jesus corrects them—He is not simply from Nazareth; He was sent by God.

Jesus declares, “I know Him.” This is a direct statement that He has a personal and perfect relationship with God the Father. Unlike the religious leaders and the crowd, who only knew about God in a limited way, Jesus had an intimate knowledge of Him.

Then He says, “I am from Him, and He sent me.” Jesus is not just claiming that God gave Him a mission—He is claiming that He originates from God Himself. This statement points to His divine nature. He was not just a prophet or a good teacher; He was sent from the very presence of God.

This verse is crucial because it reveals Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. He is not acting on His own authority—He was sent with a purpose, to reveal the Father and bring salvation.

Historical Context

Jesus was speaking during the Feast of Tabernacles, a major Jewish festival that brought large crowds to Jerusalem. People were discussing who He was, and many were confused. Some thought He might be the Messiah, while others dismissed Him because He did not fit their expectations.

The religious leaders had already decided that they wanted to silence Jesus (John 5:18). However, they were afraid of the crowds, so they hesitated to act. Meanwhile, the people of Jerusalem were puzzled—if the authorities truly believed Jesus was a fraud, why had they not arrested Him? (John 7:26).

Jesus’ words in this verse directly challenge both the crowd and the religious leaders. By saying that He knows God personally and was sent by Him, He is making a claim that would have shocked His listeners. In Jewish culture, no human being could claim to have a direct relationship with God in the way Jesus was describing. His statement was more than bold—it was a declaration of His divine authority.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several important theological truths:

1. Jesus has a unique relationship with God the Father – He does not simply know about God; He knows Him in a way no one else does. He shares an eternal relationship with the Father (John 1:1-2).
2. Jesus was sent by God – His mission was not self-appointed. God the Father sent Him to reveal the truth and bring salvation to humanity (John 3:16-17).
3. True knowledge of God comes through Jesus – The crowd and religious leaders thought they knew God, but they were rejecting the One whom God had sent. This shows that without Jesus, people cannot fully know God (John 14:6).

Jesus’ words also challenge the idea that religious knowledge alone is enough. Many people in the temple knew the Scriptures, but they did not recognize the very One they had been waiting for. This teaches us that knowing about God is not the same as having a true relationship with Him.

Literary Analysis

John’s Gospel frequently presents contrasts between human misunderstanding and divine truth. This verse is part of a larger conversation where Jesus is revealing His true identity while the people struggle to understand.

• “But I know Him” – This is a strong declaration. Jesus is not guessing, assuming, or hoping—He has perfect knowledge of God.
• “Because I am from Him” – This phrase points to Jesus’ divine origin. He is not just from Nazareth or Bethlehem; He comes directly from God.
• “And He sent me” – Jesus reaffirms His mission. He is not acting on His own but fulfilling the will of the Father.

Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that He was sent by the Father. This phrase reminds us that Jesus is not just another religious teacher—He is the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation.

Biblical Cross-References

• John 1:1-2 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Jesus’ origin is divine.
• John 3:34 – “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” Jesus is the true messenger of God.
• John 8:42 – “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.’” Jesus’ mission is directly from God.
• John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” Knowing God is only possible through Jesus.
• Matthew 11:27 – “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Jesus has a unique relationship with God.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

John 7:29 is a reminder that Jesus is the only way to truly know God. Many people today claim to know God but reject Jesus. This verse makes it clear that without Jesus, people do not have a real relationship with the Father.

It also challenges us to ask: Do we truly know Jesus, or do we just know about Him? Many people are familiar with His name, but they do not have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus calls us to move beyond surface-level knowledge and follow Him wholeheartedly.

Additionally, this verse encourages us to trust in God’s plan. Jesus was sent with a mission, and He fulfilled it perfectly. As His followers, we can trust that God has a purpose for our lives as well.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is evident in the fact that He sent Jesus to reveal the truth. Instead of leaving humanity in spiritual darkness, God made a way for people to know Him through His Son.

This verse also shows God’s love in Jesus’ obedience. He was sent to earth to teach, heal, and ultimately die for our sins. His willingness to come and suffer on our behalf demonstrates the depth of God’s love for us (Romans 5:8).

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is not just a messenger of God—He is God’s Son, sent to reveal the truth and bring salvation. This verse reinforces His divine nature and His mission.

It also connects to Jesus’ ultimate purpose. He was sent to do the Father’s will, which included going to the cross. His identity as the One sent by God is central to understanding why He came—to save sinners and restore people to God.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fully accomplished the mission He was sent to do. Because of Him, we can know God personally and have eternal life.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does Jesus mean when He says, “I know Him”?
2. Why did the people struggle to recognize Jesus as being sent by God?
3. How does this verse challenge us to go beyond just knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him?
4. What does it mean for us today that Jesus was sent by God?
5. How can we share this truth with others who think they know God but do not know Jesus?

John 7:29 is a powerful declaration of Jesus’ identity and mission. He is not just another religious figure—He is the One sent by God, the only way to truly know the Father. The question we must all answer is: Do we recognize Him for who He really is?