John 2:23-25

Holy is the Lord my God!

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!" (Isaiah 6:3)

The writer of Hebrews gives us insight into God's design for our sacrifices on this side of the cross: "Through him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God" (Hebrews 13:15-16; First5 

John 2:23-25

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. The New King James Version

Jesus and His disciples travel to Jerusalem to observe the Passover. While there, Jesus drives those conducting business for profit out of the temple courts for violating the sanctity of the site. He also performs more miracles while in Jerusalem. 

The Greek text uses the word pisteuō here. John uses a wordplay here, describing how “many believed” (pisteuō in Greek) in Jesus, but Jesus does not trust or believe (pisteuō) them in return. Jesus is divinely appointed, so the glory of other people is not His concern—He receives His glory from God the Father. This verse provides the transition to Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus and prepares the reader for Jesus’ divine insight into Nicodemus’ spiritual needs. Faithlife Study Bible

John’s purpose in recording Jesus’ miracles was for people to believe and have eternal life. Commit is the same Greek word translated believe in verse 23. There is a play on words here. These individuals trusted Jesus, but Jesus did not entrust Himself to them. Jesus fully understood the depth of trust of those who were following Him; some would stay, but many would fall away. The NKJV Study Bible

Our Lord knew all men, their nature, dispositions, affections, designs, so as we do not know any man, not even ourselves. He knows his crafty enemies, and all their secret projects; his false friends, and their true characters. He knows who are truly his, knows their uprightness, and knows their weaknesses. We know what is done by men; Christ knows what is in them, he tries the heart. Beware of a dead faith, or a formal profession: carnal, empty professors are not to be trusted, and however men impose on others or themselves, they cannot impose on the heart-searching God. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Chronicles 28:9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

Matthew 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

John 16:30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

Revelation 2:23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.