Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 16:30
Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
30. are we sure ] Better, we know; it is the same verb as ‘thou knowest,’ and the capricious change of rendering is regrettable. There is a similarly capricious change 2Co 12:2-3. Christ had spoken in the future tense ( Joh 16:23); they emphatically speak in the present; ‘ now we know.’ They feel that His gracious promise is already being fulfilled.
thou knowest all things ] He had shewn them that He had read their hearts ( Joh 16:19); like the Samaritan woman (Joh 4:29; Joh 4:39) they conclude that He knows all.
by this ] Or, Herein (see on Joh 4:37); literally ‘ in this.’ His all-embracing knowledge is that in which their faith has root.
we believe that ] The Greek might mean, ‘we believe, because, &c.’ But the A. V. is more in accordance with the context and with S. John’s usage.
forth from God ] They refer to Christ’s mission only ( Joh 16:27), not to the Eternal Generation of the Son ( Joh 16:28).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Now are we sure that thou knowest … – Their difficulty had been to understand what was the meaning of his declaration in Joh 16:16. About this they conversed among themselves, Joh 16:17-19. It is evident that they had not mentioned their difficulty to him, and that he had not even heard their conversation among themselves, Joh 16:19. When, therefore, by his answers to them Joh 16:20-28, he showed that he clearly understood their doubts; and when he gave them an answer so satisfactory without their having inquired of him, it satisfied them that he knew the heart, and that he assuredly came from God. They were convinced that there was no need that any man should ask him, or propose his difficulties to him, since he knew them all and could answer them.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things] Is not the following the meaning of the disciples? We believe that thou art not only the Messiah who camest out from God, but that thou art that God who searchest the heart and triest the reins, and needest not to be asked in order to make thee acquainted with the necessities of thy creatures; for thou perfectly knowest their wants, and art infinitely disposed to relieve them.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This confirmeth us in that faith, or persuasion, which we before had, though it was in us but weak, that indeed thou art come forth from God.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Now are we sure that thou knowest all things,…. Not only all men, but all things, even the secrets of men’s hearts, of which the apostles had now a convincing proof; for whereas Christ had delivered some expressions, Joh 16:16; which they did not understand, and were desirous to ask him the meaning of, Joh 16:19; which he knowing, being God omniscient, prevents their putting the question to him, and enters upon a discourse, in which he so clearly explained what they wanted to be informed of, without their asking him, that they were fully assured that he must know all things;
and, as they add,
needest not that any man should ask thee: the meaning is, that should Christ deliver anything not so intelligible to any of his audience, and they were desirous of knowing the sense of it, there would be no need of putting the question in form to him, since he is privy to the first motion of desire rising up in the mind; and can, and will, if he thinks fit, explain himself on such an head, to the satisfaction of the person, without ever asking him; at least there is no need of putting the question to make him acquainted with his desire, this being before known unto him. By this we believe that thou camest forth from God; was the true Messiah, and had his mission and commission from God, as such; doubtless they believed this before, but this instance of Christ’s omniscience was a strengthening proof of it. So Nathanael, by Christ’s saying to him, that before Philip called him, and when he was under the fig tree, he saw him when he thought no eye did but an omniscient one; it laid him under such full convictions of him, as at once to acknowledge him the Son of God, the King of Israel. This is one of the signs and characters of the Messiah with the Jews, that he should have a discerning spirit of men and things, according to Isa 11:3 c.
c T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 93. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Now know we ( ). They had failed to understand the plain words of Jesus about going to the Father heretofore (16:5), but Jesus read their very thoughts (16:19f.) and this fact seemed to open their minds to grasp his idea.
Should ask (). Present active subjunctive with in original sense of asking a question.
By this ( ). In Christ’s supernatural insight into their very hearts.
From God ( ). Compare (verse 27) and (verse 28), , , all with the ablative of source or origin.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
We are sure [] . Better, as Rev., we know.
By this [ ] . Literally, in this. Compare 1Jo 2:3, 5; 1Jo 3:16, 19, 24; 1Jo 4:9, 10, 1 3, 17; 1Jo 5:2.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Now are we sure that thou knowest all things,” (nun oidamen hoti oidas panta) “Now and hereafter we perceive or comprehend that you know all things,” or you are knowledgeable of all things, as the Son of God, Joh 2:24-25; Joh 21:17. Now in contrast with Joh 16:19.
2) “And needest not that any man should ask thee:” (kai ou chreian echeis hina tis se erota) “And there is no need that anyone should question you further,” as they had done, Joh 16:18-19, to explain what you mean, Luk 24:44-45.
3) “By this we believe,” (en touto pisteuomen) “in this we trust,” because you know all things, and have told us plainly, Joh 21:17; Psa 139:1-4.
4) “That thou camest forth from God.” (hoti apo theo ekselthes) “That you came forth from God,” because of what you have told and shown us from the Father, Joh 14:9; Col 1:15. It was an enthusiastic affirmation of their faith in Him, to which He replied.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(30) Now are we sure that thou knowest all things.Comp. Joh. 16:19; Joh. 16:23. The now is emphatic, as in the previous verse. They see in His present knowledge of their thoughts, and in the light which has come to them from the statements of Joh. 16:28, the fulfilment of the promise which He has made for the future (Joh. 16:23). They think that the day has already come when they shall ask Him nothing, for He knows all things, and communicates to them the fulness of truth.
By this we believe that thou camest forth from God.They had believed this before (Joh. 16:27), but here, as frequently, St. John remembers the development of their faith. (Comp. Note on Joh. 2:11.) They find, in His knowledge of their thoughts (Joh. 16:19), and in the full solution which He gives to their difficulties, ground for a new faith; and upon this new proof of His divinity they have a new faith in Him. (Comp. the instance of Nathanaels faith at the end of John 1)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. Now are we sure The emphatic now they earnestly repeat. So delicately and effectively had the great Master suited his words to their hearts as to convince them anew that he knew their hearts.
Ask thee So well does he know their questionings of heart that he is able to answer without hearing them.
Thou camest forth from God And so it is that the Gospel adjusts itself to the sins, the penitence, the moral wants of our nature, so as to test its own divine origin.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
Ver. 30. Now we are sure, &c. ] What! not till now? Nicodemus was before you then, Joh 3:2 . But better late than never: Nunquam sero, si serto.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
30. ] ‘Thou hast spoken so clearly of our feeling towards Thee, and of Thyself, that we have no occasion to ask Thee any thing; and this was what Thou didst announce would be; we know therefore, by its being so, that Thou knowest the secrets of our hearts ( by inference), and hence believe that Thou camest forth from God:’ the whole being a misunderstanding of what had gone before, Joh 16:23 ; Joh 16:25 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 16:30 . . The reference is to Joh 16:19 , where they manifested dissatisfaction with the obscurity of His utterances. Here in Joh 16:30 two things are stated, that Jesus has perfect knowledge, , and that He knows how to communicate it, . Convinced that He possessed these qualifications, they felt constrained to accept Him as a teacher come from God, (“herein,” or “by this,” in modern Greek version) , cf. Joh 3:2 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
are we sure = we know. Greek. oida. App-132. Same word as “tell “(Joh 16:18) and “knowest “in next clause.
by = in. Greek. en. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
30.] Thou hast spoken so clearly of our feeling towards Thee, and of Thyself, that we have no occasion to ask Thee any thing;-and this was what Thou didst announce would be;-we know therefore, by its being so, that Thou knowest the secrets of our hearts ( by inference),-and hence believe that Thou camest forth from God: the whole being a misunderstanding of what had gone before, Joh 16:23; Joh 16:25.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 16:30. , all things) even the state of mens hearts. Even though thou art asked no question by any man, yet thy words are adapted to all.- , and thou needest not) There is one Teacher alone, who, without being asked, satisfies the wants of His disciples. Many in our days learn but little, because they are not wont to ask any questions of their teachers, who certainly are not omniscient [so as to know their wants without being told them].-, , we believe that Thou earnest forth from God) i.e. we believe in God, and believe also in Thee. And so Jesus has convinced them. Comp. ch. Joh 14:1, Believe (Imperative, not Indic. as Engl. Vers. See Beng., note).
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 16:30
Joh 16:30
Now know we that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou earnest forth from God.-By virtue of his knowing their thoughts and answering their difficulties they claim to know that he is from God and knows all things. These impressions seemingly clear at times would often vanish and their hearts would be beclouded with doubts and uncertainty.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
are: Joh 16:17, Joh 5:20, Joh 21:17, Heb 4:13
by: Joh 17:8
Reciprocal: 1Ki 17:24 – Now by this Mat 9:4 – knowing Mat 16:8 – when Mar 8:17 – knew Mar 9:10 – what Luk 7:40 – answering Luk 9:47 – perceiving Joh 2:24 – because Joh 16:19 – Jesus Joh 16:27 – and have Joh 17:25 – these
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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The apostles did not mean to express any previous doubt. The passage denotes that the conversation of Jesus had strengthened their faith and understanding.