Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 7:28

"Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not." — John 7:28 (ASV)

In the midst of all this confusion, Jesus replied positively. His first statement may be ironic—“So you know me and where I am from, do you?” The people must have been aware of his boyhood in Nazareth and no doubt considered him to be the son of Joseph and Mary (6:42). Jesus’ reply was a renewed affirmation of his origin in God and his divine commission. His assertion evoked the dual response of belief and unbelief (cf. vv.41–44).