Discovery BoxJohn 8:27 
Context8:27 (They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.) 1
John 10:6
Context10:6 Jesus told them this parable, 2 but they 3 did not understand 4 what he was saying to them.
John 13:17
Context13:17 If you understand 5 these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 17:7
Context17:7 Now they understand 6 that everything 7 you have given me comes from you,
John 20:9
Context20:9 (For they did not yet understand 8 the scripture that Jesus 9 must rise from the dead.) 10
1 sn They did not understand…about his Father is a parenthetical note by the author. This type of comment, intended for the benefit of the reader, is typical of the “omniscient author” convention adopted by the author, who is writing from a postresurrection point of view. He writes with the benefit of later knowledge that those who originally heard Jesus’ words would not have had.
2 sn A parable is a fairly short narrative that has symbolic meaning. The Greek word παροιμίαν (paroimian) is used again in 16:25, 29. This term does not occur in the synoptic gospels, where παραβολή (parabolh) is used. Nevertheless it is similar, denoting a short narrative with figurative or symbolic meaning.
3 tn Grk “these.”
4 tn Or “comprehend.”
5 tn Grk “If you know.”
6 tn Or “they have come to know,” or “they have learned.”
7 tn Grk “all things.”
8 tn Or “yet know.”
9 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
10 sn Verse 9 is a parenthetical note by the author. The author does not explicitly mention what OT scripture is involved (neither does Paul in 1 Cor 15:4, for that matter). The resurrection of the Messiah in general terms may have been seen in Isa 53:10-12 and Ps 16:10. Specific references may have been understood in Jonah 1:17 and Hos 6:2 because of the mention of “the third day.” Beyond this it is not possible to be more specific.
