What Jesus Did! 'He Knew What People Were Really Like' — John 2:23-25

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn't trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person's heart.
— John 2:23-25 NLT

Key Thought

We often yearn for the acceptance of the crowd. We want others to notice us as significant. Many of us want our moment of fame. Jesus didn't operate in that fashion. He knew that those who would cry "Praise God!" ("Hosanna!" in Greek and some English translations) and welcome him as their king later in his ministry could then cry out "Crucify him!" after just another week. [1] So Jesus did his ministry based on God's timing and his own heart of obedience. He submitted to the Father and honored him at great personal cost. Why? Because his primary objective wasn't to try to please the crowd. Instead, he was willing to pay any price so the fickle masses - and we - could find a real Savior and not another power-hungry tinhorn pseudo-messiah.

[1] John 12:12-13, 19:14-15.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, O God, for your Son's faithfulness. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your willingness to bear the crowd's scorn and not give in to the crowd's fickle approval. I know you did it to honor your Father and to provide, in your own body, the perfect sacrifice for my sin. How can I not praise you with all my heart? To you, and through your holy name, I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 2:24-25
Devo: Today's Verse
"Jesus would not entrust himself to them [the crowd], for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man."
He knows what's inside.
Illustration of John 2:25
Inspirational illustration of John 2:25 -- [Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men.] He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.
Cruciformed #7: He Knew
Article by Phil Ware
He knew that people were fickle. They could cry out, “Hosanna!” one day, then cry out, “Crucify him!” a week later. Phil Ware continues his series on CRUCIFORMED focusing on the events of Jesus' last week from his Triumphal Entry to his resurrection.

Illustration

Illustration of John 2:23-25 NLT — But Jesus didn't trust them, because he knew all about people.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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