Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 8:55

"and ye have not known him: but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be like unto you, a liar: but I know him, and keep his word." — John 8:55 (ASV)

By using two different Greek words for “know” (GK 1182 & 3857) Jesus seems to be saying: “You have not really attained an experience of God; I have a full consciousness of him.” Jesus could not deny his intimate knowledge of God without making himself a liar.