What does the word "knew" mean in 1 Corinthians 2:8?
In 1 Corinthians 2:8, “knew” means more than casual recognition; it means knowing Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel, and who Christ really was. The princes and leaders of Israel and Rome did not truly know Him, so they crucified Him.
Les explains that the wisdom revealed to Paul concerned Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Israel, whom His own people rejected and crucified as part of God’s eternal plan to purchase salvation for all who respond. In verse 8, the word “knew” is more than a casual recognizing that a fellow came out of Nazareth. It means they did not know Him as the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel. None of the princes of this world—not of Israel, nor of Rome—truly knew Him. Had the leaders of Israel, the high priest, or the Pharisees known who Jesus of Nazareth really was, they would never have cried for His death. Pilate came close: he found no fault in Him and received his wife’s warning, but he did not see it and still stamped the crucifixion. Thus the leaders of that then-known world did not know who Jesus was, and consequently crucified Him.
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
More Questions
What does "knew" mean in 1 Corinthians 2:8 when it says the princes of this world did not know?
In 1 Corinthians 2:8, "knew" means more than casual recognition—the princes of this world did not know Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah of Israel.