John 17:8 Meaning: Receiving What Jesus Passed
for the words which you have given me I have given to them; and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.
because the sayings that Thou hast given to me, I have given to them, and they themselves received, and have known truly, that from Thee I came forth, and they did believe that Thou didst send me.
for the words which thou hast given me I have given them, and they have received [them], and have known truly that I came out from thee, and have believed that thou sentest me.
Meaning in one sentence
In Jesus' prayer, He explains that the disciples' faith rests on receiving the words He gave them from the Father.
Context
This verse comes from the prayer Jesus prayed the night before He died. He is speaking to the Father in the hearing of His disciples. In the earlier verses, Jesus said He revealed the Father’s name to the people given to Him, and they kept God’s word. Now in verse 8, He describes what happened: He gave them the words the Father had given Him, they received those words, they knew for sure He came from the Father, and they believed the Father sent Him. This is not a lecture; it is a report. Jesus is presenting His followers to the Father, showing how the divine gift of words became their own conviction and trust.
Key Words
The first key word is rhēmata, translated “words.” It is not the word John usually uses for Jesus Himself as the Word (logos). Rhēmata means the specific sayings, the particular utterances Jesus spoke. These are not abstract truths but concrete things He said, like the teachings in the upper room. Jesus gave them, one by one, and the disciples received them.
The second word is egnōsan (“they knew”). This is ginōskō, a knowledge that comes from experience and relationship. It is deeper than just hearing facts. The disciples did not simply agree with information; they came to know, in their bones, that Jesus came from the Father.
The third word is alēthōs (“truly” or “surely”). It means in reality, not just in appearance. The disciples’ certainty was not wishful thinking. It was grounded in the words they had received and the life they had witnessed. This is the kind of knowledge that holds steady when everything else shakes.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across traditions, Christians see in this verse a beautiful partnership. Reformed readers, following Calvin, emphasize that the disciples’ receiving came from God’s effective work through the Spirit. The faith is a gift, not a human achievement. Catholic and Orthodox readers note that Jesus’ role as the faithful Mediator is central: He perfectly passed on what He received, and the disciples cooperated by receiving it. Wesleyan and Arminian traditions highlight the genuine human response, the disciples freely took in the words and believed. All agree that the chain is unbroken: from the Father, through Jesus, to the disciples, and now to us.
A common misunderstanding
Some read “they have known surely” and think the disciples never doubted again after this prayer. In fact, within hours they scattered and Peter denied Jesus. The verse describes their conviction at that moment, not a permanent state. It shows that genuine faith can coexist with weakness. Their knowing was real, yet still growing. The same is true for us.
Living This Out
This week, when you open your Bible, pause at one specific saying of Jesus. It could be a command, a promise, or a question. Read it slowly and say to yourself: “This word came from the Father, through Jesus, to me.” Receive it, not as a good idea but as a gift. Let it settle into you. Then, in the ordinary moments of your day, check if you actually believe it, if you trust that Jesus was sent by the Father for you. That is what it means to receive His words.
Main takeaway: Faith begins with receiving the words Jesus gives us from the Father, and grows into a settled trust that He is sent for us.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus gave His friends the special words God gave Him. They listened and believed that God sent Jesus. You can believe Jesus’ words too.
For ages 9, 12
In this prayer, Jesus tells God that the disciples received His words and knew for sure He came from heaven. They didn't just hear the words, they took them in and trusted them. When you read what Jesus said in the Bible, you can do the same. You can hold onto His words and know that He is real.
Questions People Ask
Why does Jesus say 'the words which you have given me'? Didn't He already know everything?
In His role as the Mediator, Jesus received His teachings from the Father. This doesn't mean He was ignorant. It shows He was faithful to deliver exactly what the Father wanted. It also shows that the disciples' faith was based on God's own truth, not on human ideas.
What is the difference between 'word' (logos) in verse 6 and 'words' (rhēmata) here?
In verse 6, 'word' (logos) refers to the whole message of the gospel. Here, 'words' (rhēmata) refers to the individual sayings or specific teachings. Jesus gave them the big picture and also the particular pieces. Both are important for faith.
Does this verse mean the disciples had perfect faith from then on?
No. They later ran away and Peter denied Jesus. This verse describes their conviction during Jesus' prayer, not a sinless track record. Their faith was real but still needed to grow. Even weak faith can be genuine trust in Jesus.
How do I know I have truly 'received' the words of Jesus?
Receiving means more than hearing. It means taking His words to heart, trusting they are true, and letting them shape how you live. If you find yourself believing that Jesus came from God and was sent for you, you have received them, even if your faith feels small.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study