John 8:28 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When they have lifted up the Son of man — on the cross — they will know that he is I am, who speaks only what the Father taught him.
What Does John 8:28 Mean?
Jesus points ahead to the deed his opponents will themselves perform: when ye have lifted up the Son of man. In this Gospel, lifting up always carries a double sense — hoisted on a cross, and exalted in glory (John 3:14; 12:32-33). The execution they intend as his disgrace will become the unveiling of who he is.
At the cross, and in the resurrection that vindicates it, it becomes plain that the crucified one is the I AM — doing nothing of himself, speaking only what the Father taught him. Calvary is where Jesus is most clearly seen: perfect obedience and perfect love in a single act. Some who heard him that day did come to know it (Acts 2:36-37); the invitation to look on the lifted-up Son and live has never closed.
John 8:28 in the Original Language
hypsoo (ὑψόω), 'lifted up' -- to raise on high; in John it means both crucifixion and exaltation at once.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 8:28
What does John 8:28 mean?
When they have lifted up the Son of man — on the cross — they will know that he is I am, who speaks only what the Father taught him.