King James Version

What Does John 17:8 Mean?

John 17:8 in the King James Version says “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I cam... — study this verse from John chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

John 17:8 · KJV


Context

6

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7

Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10

And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me (τὰ ῥήματα ἃ ἔδωκάς μοι δέδωκα αὐτοῖς)—Jesus' ministry centers on transmitting the Father's revelatory rhēmata (spoken words), not independent teaching. The perfect tense "gavest" (ἔδωκάς) emphasizes the Father's completed revelation to the Son; the aorist "have given" (δέδωκα) stresses Christ's faithful delivery to the disciples. This chain of divine revelation—Father to Son to apostles—undergirds apostolic authority and Scripture's inspiration (cf. 2 Peter 1:21).

They have received them (ἔλαβον)—not mere intellectual assent but personal appropriation. The disciples moved from confusion to conviction through receiving God's words. Known surely (ἔγνωσαν ἀληθῶς) indicates settled, experiential knowledge that Jesus came forth from the Father—His divine origin confirmed by His divine words. Believed that thou didst send me—faith (pisteuo) completes knowledge; they now trust not just what Jesus said but who He is: the Father's apostle (one sent with authority).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse comes from Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (John 17), spoken between the Upper Room Discourse and His arrest in Gethsemane. The disciples had spent three years receiving Jesus' teaching, but only post-resurrection would they fully comprehend (John 2:22, 12:16). Jesus prays this on the eve of His crucifixion, interceding for those who will soon deny and abandon Him—yet He affirms their genuine faith and reception of divine truth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the chain of revelation (Father → Son → Apostles → Scripture) shape your view of the Bible's authority and reliability?
  2. What is the difference between merely hearing God's words and truly "receiving" them as the disciples did, and how does reception lead to assurance?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ὅτι1 of 24

For

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὰ2 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ῥήματα3 of 24

the words

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

4 of 24

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

δέδωκα5 of 24

I have given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

μοι6 of 24

me

G3427

to me

δέδωκα7 of 24

I have given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτοὶ8 of 24

unto them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ9 of 24

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτοὶ10 of 24

unto them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔλαβον11 of 24

they have received

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

καὶ12 of 24

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔγνωσαν13 of 24

have known

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ἀληθῶς14 of 24

surely

G230

truly

ὅτι15 of 24

For

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

παρὰ16 of 24

from

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

σοῦ17 of 24

thee

G4675

of thee, thy

ἐξῆλθον18 of 24

I came out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

καὶ19 of 24

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπίστευσαν20 of 24

they have believed

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

ὅτι21 of 24

For

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

σύ22 of 24

thou

G4771

thou

με23 of 24

me

G3165

me

ἀπέστειλας24 of 24

didst send

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 17:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 17:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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