1 Corinthians 2:8
New International Version
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

New Living Translation
But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.

English Standard Version
None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Berean Standard Bible
None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Berean Literal Bible
which none of the rulers of this age has understood. For if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

King James Bible
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

New King James Version
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

New American Standard Bible
the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

NASB 1995
the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

NASB 1977
the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

Legacy Standard Bible
which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Amplified Bible
None of the rulers of this age recognized and understood this wisdom; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

Christian Standard Bible
None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

American Standard Version
which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:

Contemporary English Version
The rulers of this world didn't know anything about this wisdom. If they had known about it, they would not have nailed the glorious Lord to a cross.

English Revised Version
which none of the rulers of this world knoweth: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Not one of the rulers of this world has known it. If they had, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory.

Good News Translation
None of the rulers of this world knew this wisdom. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

International Standard Version
None of the rulers of this world understood it, because if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Majority Standard Bible
None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

NET Bible
None of the rulers of this age understood it. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

New Heart English Bible
which none of the rulers of this age has understood. For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Webster's Bible Translation
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Weymouth New Testament
a wisdom which not one of the leaders of the present age possesses, for if they had possessed it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

World English Bible
which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
which no one of the rulers of this age knew, for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory;

Berean Literal Bible
which none of the rulers of this age has understood. For if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Young's Literal Translation
which no one of the rulers of this age did know, for if they had known, the Lord of the glory they would not have crucified;

Smith's Literal Translation
Which none of the rulers of this world knew: for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

Catholic Public Domain Version
something that none of the leaders of this world have known. For if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

New American Bible
and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

New Revised Standard Version
None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Which none of the rulers of the world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
That which none of the Rulers of this world knew, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified The Lord of Glory.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.

Godbey New Testament
which no one of the princes of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Haweis New Testament
which none of the rulers of this world have known: for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Mace New Testament
which none of the rulers of this age understood: for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Weymouth New Testament
a wisdom which not one of the leaders of the present age possesses, for if they had possessed it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

Worrell New Testament
which no one of the rulers of this age has known; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

Worsley New Testament
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Spiritual Wisdom
7No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”…

Cross References
Acts 3:17
And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.

Acts 13:27
The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

John 7:28
Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him,

John 16:3
They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.

John 1:10
He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

John 8:19
“Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.”

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Matthew 13:15
For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Psalm 2:1-2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

Psalm 24:7-10
Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter! / Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. / Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter! ...

Psalm 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.


Treasury of Scripture

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

none.

1 Corinthians 2:6
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

1 Corinthians 1:26-28
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: …

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

for.

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

John 3:19-21
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil…

John 8:19
Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

the Lord.

Psalm 24:7-10
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in…

Acts 3:16,17
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all…

Acts 7:2
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

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1 Corinthians 2
1. Paul declares that his preaching,
4. though it bring not excellence of speech, or of human wisdom,
5. yet consists in the power of God;
6. and so far excels the wisdom of this world, that the natural man cannot understand it.














None of the rulers of this age understood it.
The "rulers of this age" refers to both the political and spiritual authorities of the time, including Roman and Jewish leaders, as well as demonic forces. In a historical context, figures like Pontius Pilate and the Sanhedrin were instrumental in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. Spiritually, this phrase also alludes to the unseen powers and principalities mentioned in Ephesians 6:12, which were blinded to God's plan of salvation through Christ. The "it" refers to the wisdom of God, which is a mystery revealed through the Gospel. This wisdom was hidden from the rulers, as prophesied in Isaiah 6:9-10, where God speaks of people who will hear but not understand. The lack of understanding by these rulers highlights the divine nature of God's plan, which transcends human wisdom and insight.

For if they had,
This conditional statement underscores the ignorance of the rulers regarding the true identity and mission of Jesus. It implies that their actions were based on a lack of spiritual discernment. The rulers' failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah was a fulfillment of prophecies such as Isaiah 53, which speaks of the suffering servant who would be rejected by men. This lack of understanding was part of God's sovereign plan, as seen in Acts 2:23, where Peter explains that Jesus was delivered up according to God's predetermined plan and foreknowledge.

they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
The term "crucified" refers to the Roman method of execution, which was reserved for the most serious criminals and was considered a curse under Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:23). The crucifixion of Jesus was a pivotal event in Christian theology, as it represents the atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins. The title "Lord of glory" is a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' divine nature and majesty, connecting Him to the glory of God described in passages like Psalm 24:7-10. This title emphasizes the irony and tragedy of the crucifixion, as the rulers unknowingly put to death the very embodiment of divine glory. The crucifixion, however, was not the end but the means through which God accomplished salvation, as seen in 1 Peter 1:18-21, where the precious blood of Christ is described as the means of redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rulers of this Age
Refers to both the spiritual and earthly authorities at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, including Roman and Jewish leaders. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the spiritual forces of evil that influence worldly systems.

2. The Crucifixion
The event where Jesus Christ was crucified, a pivotal moment in Christian theology representing the atonement for sin.

3. The Lord of Glory
A title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine nature and majesty. The term "glory" in Greek is "doxa," which signifies honor, splendor, and divine radiance.
Teaching Points
The Wisdom of God vs. Human Understanding
God's wisdom is often hidden from those who rely solely on human understanding. The rulers' failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah demonstrates the limitations of human wisdom.

The Irony of the Cross
The crucifixion, intended as a defeat, was actually the means of victory over sin and death. This irony highlights God's sovereign plan and the unexpected ways He works.

Recognizing Jesus as Lord of Glory
Believers are called to see Jesus not just as a historical figure but as the divine Lord of glory. This recognition should transform our worship and daily lives.

Spiritual Blindness
Spiritual blindness can affect anyone, regardless of status or knowledge. We must seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to truly understand and follow God's will.

The Role of Humility in Understanding
Humility is essential in receiving God's wisdom. Acknowledging our limitations opens us to the deeper truths of God's revelation.(8) They would not have crucified.--The conduct of the princes and rulers of this world, alike Jewish and Gentile, illustrates and proves the previous assertion (John 8:19; John 19:9).

Lord of glory.--In striking contrast to the ignominy of the crucifixion.

Verse 8. - Had they known it; literally, had they recognized; had they got to know it. The apostles often dwell on this ignorance as being in part a palliation for the sin of rejecting Christ (see especially Acts 3:17; Acts 13:27; comp. Isaiah 2:1). Jews and Romans, emperors, procurators: high priests, Pharisees, had in their ignorance conspired in vain to prevent what God had foreordained. The Lord of glory. This is not a mere equivalent of "the glorious Lord," in Psalm 24:10. It is "the Lord of the glory," i.e. "the Lord of the Shechinah" (comp. Ephesians 1:17, "the Father of the glory "). The Shechinah was the name given by the Jews to the cloud of light which symbolized God's presence. The cherubim are called, in Hebrews 9:5, "cherubim of glory," because the Shechinah was borne on their outspread wings (see, however, Acts 7:2; Ephesians 1:17). There would have been to ancient ears a startling and awful paradox in the words "crucified the Lord of glory." The words brought into juxtaposition the lowest ignominy and the most splendid exaltation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
None
οὐδεὶς (oudeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

rulers
ἀρχόντων (archontōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 758: Present participle of archo; a first.

of this
τούτου (toutou)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

age
αἰῶνος (aiōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

understood
ἔγνωκεν (egnōken)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

[it].
ἣν (hēn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

they had,
ἔγνωσαν (egnōsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

they would not have crucified
ἐσταύρωσαν (estaurōsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4717: From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

of glory.
δόξης (doxēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the rulers of this (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 2:7
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