John 17:8 Commentary and Bible Study

It is all the same subject. It is the light and understanding which has come into them. Look at the development. ‘And they have received them.’ That is one verb, and then the next – ‘And have known surely.’ Ah, they have received the word by a work of the Spirit, then they have become convinced so that they have known surely. And look at the progression. They ‘have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed.’ The pistis verb in the Greek, become fully convinced, wholly and entirely persuaded. You see the movement – received, known surely, believed. That becomes absolute trust and faith.So the disciples have moved. There has been a great work of God in three stages in their lives. Their minds have been opened to receive the authority of the word of God, they have been progressively convinced by it, and now they trust it entirely and wholly, and they know not to question it at all.