But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
The verse belongs to the morning after the cleansing of the temple, when he healed the sick, relieved the afflicted, and taught the people and their leaders. It means that he knew all men and what was in their hearts, down to the secrets of the heart, and needed no one to tell him about human nature or motives. Many believed in his name when they saw his miracles, yet he did not commit or entrust himself to them. He withheld that trust precisely because he knew them fully.
He did not mistake temporary conviction or outward belief for true repentance, for the priests recognized their guilt and were briefly convinced about him, yet refused to yield and instead hated him. He knew that comparatively few would accept him as Redeemer and acknowledge their need of divine help, and that the Jews were rejecting the help God had sent to save them and thereby bringing ruin and judgment on themselves through stubbornness. That knowledge grieved him and moved him to plead for them.
He had to watch those who followed him, because they sought grounds to accuse him. He knew the movements and plans of the spies and what would happen, though they thought their actions were hidden from him. Because he knew the hearts and character of those watching him with hostile intent, he used parables to keep their treacherous plans from giving them grounds to accuse him, while exposing their hypocrisy and making truth clear to honest hearers.
He understood that some educated and respected men believed his teaching but lacked the courage to confess him when priests and rulers opposed him, though their abilities could have served him if they had acted on their convictions. In choosing his disciples he therefore passed over leaders who were proud of learning and position and chose humble fishermen willing to be taught, and he mingled with common people and sinners to teach them right principles and lift them up without becoming earthly like them. His knowledge also let him see that the returning crowd's talk and visiting would lack humility and grace and that they would nearly forget the Messiah and his mission.
Human beings judge from a limited standpoint and can make wrong decisions or give wrong counsel, so a minister must not act as a woman's confessor; she should turn to Jesus, who knows everyone. He gave his life as a sacrifice so humanity might lay hold on divinity, and because he knows every heart, prayer can be offered to him at once for sick people who are not yet converted without waiting for their conversion, and prayer joined with practical care opens the way for life to be spared and hearts to become willing to be converted.
The verse belongs to the morning after the cleansing of the temple, when he healed the sick, relieved the afflicted, and taught the people and their leaders. It means that he knew all men and what was in their hearts, down to the secrets of the heart, and needed no one to tell him about human nature or motives. Many believed in his name when they saw his miracles, yet he did not commit or entrust himself to them. He withheld that trust precisely because he knew them fully.
He did not mistake temporary conviction or outward belief for true repentance, for the priests recognized their guilt and were briefly convinced about him, yet refused to yield and instead hated him. He knew that comparatively few would accept him as Redeemer and acknowledge their need of divine help, and that the Jews were rejecting the help God had sent to save them and thereby bringing ruin and judgment on themselves through stubbornness. That knowledge grieved him and moved him to plead for them.
He had to watch those who followed him, because they sought grounds to accuse him. He knew the movements and plans of the spies and what would happen, though they thought their actions were hidden from him. Because he knew the hearts and character of those watching him with hostile intent, he used parables to keep their treacherous plans from giving them grounds to accuse him, while exposing their hypocrisy and making truth clear to honest hearers.
He understood that some educated and respected men believed his teaching but lacked the courage to confess him when priests and rulers opposed him, though their abilities could have served him if they had acted on their convictions. In choosing his disciples he therefore passed over leaders who were proud of learning and position and chose humble fishermen willing to be taught, and he mingled with common people and sinners to teach them right principles and lift them up without becoming earthly like them. His knowledge also let him see that the returning crowd's talk and visiting would lack humility and grace and that they would nearly forget the Messiah and his mission.
Human beings judge from a limited standpoint and can make wrong decisions or give wrong counsel, so a minister must not act as a woman's confessor; she should turn to Jesus, who knows everyone. He gave his life as a sacrifice so humanity might lay hold on divinity, and because he knows every heart, prayer can be offered to him at once for sick people who are not yet converted without waiting for their conversion, and prayer joined with practical care opens the way for life to be spared and hearts to become willing to be converted.