So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is boldly declaring that the very act of "lifting him up" – his crucifixion – will ultimately prove to his accusers that he is who he says he is. This means their ultimate act of rejection and hatred will, by God's design, become the very proof of his divine identity and mission.
So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has been engaged in a tense conversation with the Jewish leaders, who are questioning his identity and authority. They don't understand his claims of divine origin, and Jesus is explaining that his words and actions flow directly from the Father. He tells them that his ultimate mission, even through his death, will reveal his true identity and divine connection.
Jesus speaks of being 'lifted up' in a way that sounds like exaltation, not execution. How could His death lead to knowing who He truly is?
Jesus directly connects His future crucifixion with the revelation of His identity. The very act that His enemies intended as their ultimate victory and His final defeat will, in fact, serve as undeniable proof of His divine mission.
A Future Revelation
This isn't just about His followers gaining understanding later. Jesus tells His opponents, 'When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then ye shall know.' This implies a future knowledge, even for those who cause His death. The 'lifting up' refers to His crucifixion, an event that would seem to be the end of His claims.
The Proof of His Identity
But Jesus declares that this 'lifting up' will actually confirm His identity as the Messiah, the 'I am he' He claimed to be earlier (John 8:24, 58). The events surrounding the crucifixion—the darkness, the earthquake, and ultimately His resurrection—would serve as powerful evidence. Even those who participated in His death would eventually be confronted with the undeniable truth of who He was.
Jesus consistently points away from Himself, not out of weakness, but out of perfect obedience. What does this say about His 'authority'?
Jesus makes a profound statement about the source of His words: 'I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.' This isn't a disclaimer of power, but an assertion of perfect alignment with God.
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Not of Self-Authority
This phrase 'nothing on my own authority' (or 'from myself') signifies that His actions and words originate from the Father. He is not acting independently or impulsively. His entire ministry is a direct outflow of the Father's will and commission.
Taught and Guided
He emphasizes that His teaching is divinely sourced. The Father taught Him, and He faithfully transmits what He has heard. This is the essence of His divine authority—it is not self-derived, but God-given and God-directed. This union with the Father's will is what gives His words their absolute truth and power, a truth that will be unmistakably evident even after His 'lifting up.'
Understand the original words
huion tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
The title Jesus used for himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, emphasizing both his humanity and his divine authority, pre-existence, and future role as the eschatological judge of all humanity.
hypsōsēte · Greek Verb
In the Fourth Gospel, this term is used with a double meaning: literally referring to the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross, and simultaneously pointing to his exaltation and glorification through that very act.
egō eimi · Greek Phrase
A divine name/title drawn from Exodus 3:14, where God identifies himself as the self-existent, eternal, and covenant-keeping Lord. Jesus uses this phrase to claim divine identity and oneness with the Father.
This verse was spoken by Jesus in the intense context of His earthly ministry, just before His crucifixion. He foretells His death not as an end, but as a pivotal moment where His true identity and divine mission, always guided by the Father, will be undeniably revealed.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Jesus conducts his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, challenging the religious authorities and proclaiming his divine identity.
c. AD 30-33
Growing Opposition and Conflict
Jesus' teachings and claims, particularly his assertion of unity with the Father, escalate conflict with Jewish leaders who view him as a blasphemer.
c. AD 33
Arrest and Trial of Jesus
Jesus is arrested, tried by the Sanhedrin, and handed over to the Roman authorities for crucifixion, fulfilling his own prophecies about his impending death.
c. AD 33
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified, an event that the Gospel writers describe with supernatural phenomena, which they and early Christians interpret as divine confirmation of Jesus' identity.
c. AD 33
Resurrection of Jesus
Following his crucifixion, Jesus is resurrected from the dead, an event seen as the ultimate proof of his claims and the Father's validation of his mission.
c. AD 33 onwards
Early Church Growth and Witness
The resurrection and ascension of Jesus lead to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the rapid spread of the gospel, with thousands of Jews believing in Jesus as the Messiah.
This passage is frequently referenced in the commentaries as a parallel to Jesus speaking about being 'lifted up,' directly connecting his crucifixion to his exaltation.
John 12:32Similar to John 3:14, this verse speaks of Jesus being lifted up, again drawing a direct parallel between his death and his ultimate drawing of all people to himself, reinforcing the 'exaltation' theme.
John 5:19The commentaries mention Jesus' assertion here that he does nothing on his own authority, which directly echoes the sentiment in John 8:28, highlighting Jesus' consistent message of divine dependence.
Acts 3:15This New Testament passage identifies Jesus as the 'author of life' whom God 'raised from the dead,' providing an example of how Jesus' resurrection (a consequence of being 'lifted up') served as proof of his divine identity, as Jesus promised in John 8:28.
2 Timothy 2:13Calvin alludes to this verse, which states God remains faithful even if we deny Him. This concept resonates with Jesus' assertion in John 8:28-29 that God, who sent Him, is with Him and will vindicate His words and actions, regardless of human disbelief.
barnesJohn 8:28: "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."
When ye have lifted up - When you have crucified. See John 3:14 note; also John 12:32 note. The Son of man - See the notes at Matthew 8:19-20. Then shall ye know - Then shall you have evidence or proof. That I am he - Am the Messiah, which I have professed to be. And that I do nothing of myself - T…
vincentJohn 8:28: "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."
Lifted upSee on John 3:14.Ye shall know (γνώσεσθε)Render, perceive, here as in John 8:27.I am HeAs in John 8:24, on which see note.Of myself (ἀπ' ἐμαυτοῦ)Properly, from myself, as Rev., at John 7:17, but not here. See on John 7:17.Hath taught (ἐδίδαξεν)Rev., more correctly, taught. The aorist…
Jesus is boldly declaring that the very act of "lifting him up" – his crucifixion – will ultimately prove to his accusers that he is who he says he is. This means their ultimate act of rejection and hatred will, by God's design, become the very proof of his divine identity and mission.
Jesus has been engaged in a tense conversation with the Jewish leaders, who are questioning his identity and authority. They don't understand his claims of divine origin, and Jesus is explaining that his words and actions flow directly from the Father. He tells them that his ultimate mission, even through his death, will reveal his true identity and divine connection.
Jesus has been engaged in a tense conversation with the Jewish leaders, who are questioning his identity and authority. They don't understand his claims of divine origin, and Jesus is explaining that his words and actions flow directly from the Father. He tells them that his ultimate mission, even through his death, will reveal his true identity and divine connection.
"So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me." — Jesus is boldly declaring that the very act of "lifting him up" – his crucifixion – will ultimately prove to his accusers that he is who he says he is. This means their ultimate act of rejection an…
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Last reviewed October 2026