Recorded in John 2:23–25 is a very interesting statement about our Lord Jesus. “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

In these particular verses, it is striking that the very same Greek word is used twice here! The first time is in reference to the people’s response to Jesus, and the second time is our Lord’s response, in turn, to the people.

Let’s first take a closer look at this particular Greek word used in this text, translated in verse 23 as “believed” and in verse 24 as “commit.”

“Many believed in His name”

At this Passover feast very early in Christ’s ministry, many believed that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel. They had seen His miracles. They had witnessed His cleansing of the Temple. They had listened to His words. They were convinced that this was indeed the Promised One of Israel. But . . .

“Jesus did not commit Himself unto them”

The Greek word rendered “commit” is the very same word rendered “believed” in the previous sentence. It is πιστεύω (pisteuo), the usual Greek word for faith. The people believed in Jesus, but Jesus did not believe in them. Jesus was fully aware that these same crowds in Jerusalem who “believed” in Him would, only three years later, shout out with the multitude, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Furthermore, according to John 2:24, Jesus did not entrust Himself to them “because he knew all men.” He knew those who truly believed, those who were truly disciples, such as Peter, John, and Andrew. Jesus also knew whose faith was merely superficial, such as the false disciple Judas Iscariot and many others. Our Lord knew these men specifically and individually. Yet, He had a perfect understanding of the fickleness, weakness, and duplicity of fallen mankind as a whole.

From this text and from the rest of the Gospel record, we see clearly that Jesus was not dependent upon men for His acceptance. He did not depend upon their favor or their assistance for the success of His mission of salvation.

Meanwhile, despite the people’s transient belief and Jesus’ knowledge of their true selves, we also see the attribute of independence in this passage.

Jesus does not need man

As God, our Lord Jesus is not dependent upon man. He suffered alone. He died alone. He rose from the dead alone. In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus did not say, “We have finished the work which thou gavest us to do.” Instead, Jesus proclaimed, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4, emphasis added).

One day, our Lord Jesus Christ will fulfill the prophecy recorded in Isaiah 63:3, “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me.”

Jesus does not need man’s assistance to accomplish His divine works of redemption, atonement, justification, sanctification, and ultimate glory. Disciples, even the best of them, could not assist our Lord in any way. The work that He came to do was His alone. This truth is a testimony to Christ’s divine attribute of independence.

Yet, Jesus chose to use man

Yet, in light of this previous information, how marvelous that our independent and sovereign Lord has chosen to use us in the accomplishment of His divine work! A father does not need his young child’s assistance in the task of building a bookshelf. Yet, a wise, loving father will include his child in the work for the benefits of fellowship and for the good of the child.

So also, our Lord Jesus willingly and cheerfully entrusted us to join Him in His work—the proclamation of the Gospel! After His death and resurrection, Jesus called all His disciples to continue the task. Before His ascension to the right hand of His Father, He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18–20).

Jesus doesn’t need us, but He wants us! He is pleased to have us as His partners in His mission. Jesus has given us the privilege of proclaiming His victories to a needy world. He prayed for His disciples regarding this task in the Upper Room: “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” (John 17:18). May God give us the grace to faithfully be engaged in the greatest task in the world: the proclamation of the Good News that a crucified Savior has risen and is coming again!