John 8:55

And ye have not known him (kai ouk egnwkate auton). Adversative use again of kai="and yet." Perfect active indicative of ginwskw, the verb for experiential knowledge. This was true of the kosmo ( John 1:10 ; John 17:25 ) and of the hostile Jews ( John 16:3 ). Jesus prays that the world may know ( John 17:23 ) and the handful of disciples had come to know ( John 17:25 ). But I know him (egw de oida auton). Equipped by eternal fellowship to reveal the Father ( John 1:1-18 ). This peculiar intimate knowledge Jesus had already claimed ( John 7:29 ). Jesus used oida ( John 8:19 ; John 15:21 ) or ginwskw ( John 17:23 John 17:25 ) for the knowledge of the Father. No undue distinction can be drawn here. And if I should say (kan eipw). Third-class condition (concession), "even if I say," with kai ean (kan) and second aorist active subjunctive. "Suppose I say." I shall be like you a liar (esomai omoio umin pseusth). Apodosis of the condition. Homoio (like) is followed by the associative-instrumental case umin. The word pseusth (liar), in spite of the statement that they are the children of the devil, the father of lying ( John 8:44 ), comes with a sudden jolt because it is a direct charge. This word liar is not considered polite today in public speech when hurled at definite individuals. There is a rather free use of the word in 1 John 2:4 1 John 2:22 ; 1 John 4:20 ; 1 John 5:10 . It is not hard to imagine the quick anger of these Pharisees.