Joh 8:55 | RWP | e4.org | And ye have not known him ( κα ουκ εγνωκατε αυτον ). Adversative use again of κα ="and yet." Perfect active indicative of γινωσκω , the verb for experiential knowledge. This was true of the κοσμος ( ; ) and of the hostile Jews ( ). Jesus prays that the world may know ( ) and the handful of disciples had come to know ( ). But I know him ( εγω δε οιδα αυτον ). Equipped by eternal fellowship to reveal the Father ( ). This peculiar intimate knowledge Jesus had already claimed ( ). Jesus used οιδα ( ; ) or γινωσκω ( , ) for the knowledge of the Father. No undue distinction can be drawn here. And if I should say ( καν ειπω ). Third-class condition (concession), "even if I say," with κα εαν ( καν ) and second aorist active subjunctive. "Suppose I say." I shall be like you a liar ( εσομα ομοιος υμιν ψευστης ). Apodosis of the condition. Hομοιος (like) is followed by the associative-instrumental case υμιν . The word ψευστης (liar), in spite of the statement that they are the children of the devil, the father of lying ( ), comes with a sudden jolt because it is a direct charge. This word liar is not considered polite today in public speech when hurled at definite individuals. There is a rather free use of the word in , ; ; . It is not hard to imagine the quick anger of these Pharisees.

‏ John 8:55

And ye have not known him ( κα ουκ εγνωκατε αυτον ). Adversative use again of κα ="and yet." Perfect active indicative of γινωσκω, the verb for experiential knowledge. This was true of the κοσμος (1:10; 17:25) and of the hostile Jews (16:3). Jesus prays that the world may know (17:23) and the handful of disciples had come to know (17:25).

But I know him ( εγω δε οιδα αυτον ). Equipped by eternal fellowship to reveal the Father (1:1-18). This peculiar intimate knowledge Jesus had already claimed (7:29). Jesus used οιδα (8:19; 15:21) or γινωσκω (17:23, 25) for the knowledge of the Father. No undue distinction can be drawn here.

And if I should say ( καν ειπω ). Third-class condition (concession), "even if I say," with κα εαν ( καν ) and second aorist active subjunctive. "Suppose I say."

I shall be like you a liar ( εσομα ομοιος υμιν ψευστης ). Apodosis of the condition. Hομοιος (like) is followed by the associative-instrumental case υμιν. The word ψευστης (liar), in spite of the statement that they are the children of the devil, the father of lying (8:44), comes with a sudden jolt because it is a direct charge. This word liar is not considered polite today in public speech when hurled at definite individuals. There is a rather free use of the word in 1Jo 2:4, 22; 4:20; 5:10. It is not hard to imagine the quick anger of these Pharisees.