King James Version

What Does John 2:22 Mean?

John 2:22 in the King James Version says “When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed t...” — study this verse from John chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”

John 2:22 · KJV

Faith

Context

20

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21

But he spake of the temple of his body.

22

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

23

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

24

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

Read John 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After the resurrection, the disciples remembered and believed. Understanding came retrospectively—'then remembered his disciples that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.' Scripture and Jesus' words mutually confirmed each other. The resurrection was the interpretive key unlocking previous teachings. Faith grows as events illuminate prior words.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Post-resurrection understanding characterizes the disciples' journey. Before the cross, they missed much; after the resurrection and Pentecost, previous teachings suddenly made sense. John's Gospel itself was written from this post-resurrection perspective, interpreting earlier events through resurrection light.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has your understanding of Scripture grown as life events illuminated its meaning?
  2. Why is the resurrection central to understanding Jesus' earlier teaching?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ὅτε1 of 24

“When”

G3753

at which (thing) too, i.e., when

οὖν2 of 24

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἠγέρθη3 of 24

“he was risen”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ἐκ4 of 24

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νεκρῶν5 of 24

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

ἐμνήσθησαν6 of 24

“remembered”

G3415

to bear in mind, i.e., recollect; by implication, to reward or punish

οἱ7 of 24
G3588

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

μαθηταὶ8 of 24

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῖς·9 of 24

“his”

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

ὅτι10 of 24

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τοῦτο11 of 24

“this”

G5124

that thing

ἔλεγεν12 of 24

“he had said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτοῖς·13 of 24

“his”

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

καὶ14 of 24

“and”

G2532

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

ἐπίστευσαν15 of 24

“they 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

τῇ16 of 24
G3588

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

γραφῇ17 of 24

“the scripture”

G1124

a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)

καὶ18 of 24

“and”

G2532

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

τῷ19 of 24
G3588

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

λόγῳ20 of 24

“the word”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

ὦ21 of 24

“which”

G3739

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

εἶπεν22 of 24

“had said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὁ23 of 24
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς24 of 24

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

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 2:22 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 2:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 12:16John 14:26John 16:4Luke 24:7-8Psalms 16:10John 2:17

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