Introduction: The Moment Jesus Knew
John 4:1 begins with a simple yet weighty statement:
“When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…”
The verb ἔγνω (“he knew”) governs the entire clause. It is not just a past action—it is a grammatical hinge that conveys divine awareness and decisive movement. The use of ὡς οὖν (“therefore when”) introduces both a cause-effect link and temporal flow, setting the stage for Jesus’ departure from Judea.
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης·
Let us now examine the opening clause of John 4:1:
Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ κύριος ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι…
—“Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard…”
This clause introduces the narrative with a temporal-subordinating construction, beginning with ὡς and incorporating the aorist active indicative verb ἔγνω {egnō} from γινώσκω (“to know”). It combines temporal grammar with rhetorical buildup, preparing the reader for Jesus’ strategic withdrawal. The form and flow of this sentence express awareness, timing, and decision-making with precision.
Morphological Breakdown of ἔγνω
- ἔγνω {egnō} –
Root: γινώσκω {ginōskō};
Form: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular;
Tense: aorist (simple past, viewed as a whole);
Voice: active;
Mood: indicative (asserting reality);
Meaning: “he knew,” “he became aware of.”
Notes: Indicates a completed act of understanding or realization, often triggering further action.
Syntactical Analysis: Temporal Clause with Causal Overtones
– ὡς introduces a temporal clause (“when”), though it can occasionally have causal nuance (“since”).
– οὖν is a logical connective (“therefore,” “so”), linking back to the broader narrative context.
– The full phrase ὡς οὖν ἔγνω functions like:
“Therefore, when he came to know…”
ὁ κύριος is the subject, and ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι is the indirect discourse introduced by ὅτι, reporting what was known.
This clause is nested:
– Main clause: ἔγνω ὁ κύριος (“the Lord knew”)
– Subordinate: ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι (“that the Pharisees had heard”)
– Further subordination: ὅτι Ἰησοῦς… (what the Pharisees heard)
Semantic and Theological Implications
The verb ἔγνω signals more than cognition—it expresses divine knowledge and often anticipates decisive action.
In this case:
– Jesus knows the Pharisees are tracking his influence.
– He responds by withdrawing, not from fear, but from divine intentionality (cf. John 7:30, “his hour had not yet come”).
The perfect harmony between knowledge and mission is central in John’s Gospel. Jesus acts, but only in alignment with divine timing.
Literary and Discourse Significance
This clause is the narrative trigger for the Samaritan episode in John 4:
– It transitions from Judea to Galilee.
– It introduces Jesus’ strategic withdrawal—not of cowardice, but of messianic control.
– It builds anticipation: what will Jesus do next, and where?
The layered structure of ὡς… ὅτι… ὅτι… reflects the complexity of knowledge, both human and divine. It’s also a literary reflection of divine awareness cascading into purposeful action.
When the Lord Knew
The aorist ἔγνω tells us not just that Jesus knew—but that he knew exactly when to act.
This clause is grammar in service of revelation:
– A temporal marker,
– A narrative transition,
– And a theological insight.
When the Lord knew…
He did not panic.
He did not retreat.
He moved forward—according to the plan already in motion.
