1 John 2:20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

◄ 1 John 2:20 ►

New International Version
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

New Living Translation
But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.

English Standard Version
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

Berean Standard Bible
You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

Berean Literal Bible
And you have the anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know.

King James Bible
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

New King James Version
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

New American Standard Bible
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

NASB 1995
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

NASB 1977
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

Legacy Standard Bible
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

Amplified Bible
But you have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit], and all of you know [the truth because He teaches us, illuminates our minds, and guards us from error].

Christian Standard Bible
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.

American Standard Version
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Contemporary English Version
Christ, the Holy One, has blessed you, and now all of you understand.

English Revised Version
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Holy One has anointed you, so all of you have knowledge.

Good News Translation
But you have had the Holy Spirit poured out on you by Christ, and so all of you know the truth.

International Standard Version
You have an anointing from the Holy One and know all things.

Majority Standard Bible
You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

NET Bible
Nevertheless you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

New Heart English Bible
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

Webster's Bible Translation
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Weymouth New Testament
As for you, you have an anointing from the holy One and have perfect knowledge.

World English Bible
You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you have an anointing from the Holy One, and have known all things;

Berean Literal Bible
And you have the anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know.

Young's Literal Translation
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and have known all things;

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and know all things.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But you have the unction from the Holy One, and know all things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet you have the anointing of the Holy One, and you know everything.

New American Bible
But you have the anointing that comes from the holy one, and you all have knowledge.

New Revised Standard Version
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you are enabled to distinguish between men.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And you have an anointing from The Holy One, and you discern every person.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And you have an anointing from the Holy One, and know all things.

Godbey New Testament
You have an unction from the Holy One, and you all know.

Haweis New Testament
though ye have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things.

Mace New Testament
As for you who have receiv'd the unction of the holy spirit, you know the whole affair.

Weymouth New Testament
As for you, you have an anointing from the holy One and have perfect knowledge.

Worrell New Testament
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye all know Him.

Worsley New Testament
And ye have an unction from the holy One, and know all.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Beware of Antichrists
…19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

1 Corinthians 2:12
We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

1 Corinthians 2:15
The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, / placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.

Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Hebrews 10:15
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:

1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

Jeremiah 31:33-34
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. / No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 54:13
Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their prosperity.

Joel 2:28-29
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Proverbs 1:23
If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.

Treasury of Scripture

But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.

ye have.

1 John 2:27
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1 John 4:13
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Psalm 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

the Holy.

Psalm 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Psalm 71:22
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 43:3
For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

and ye.

Proverbs 28:5
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

John 10:4,5
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice…

John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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1 John 2

1. He comforts them against the sins of infirmity.
3. Rightly to know God is to keep his commandments;
9. to love our brothers;
15. and not to love the world.
18. We must beware of antichrists;
20. from whose deceits the godly are safe, preserved by perseverance in faith, and holiness of life.

Berean Study Bible

You, however
This phrase serves as a direct address to the recipients of the letter, distinguishing them from those who have been led astray by false teachings. The Greek word for "you" here is "ὑμεῖς" (hymeis), emphasizing the personal and collective identity of the believers. It underscores the intimate relationship between the apostle John and his audience, reminding them of their distinct position as followers of Christ amidst a world of deception.

have an anointing
The term "anointing" comes from the Greek word "χρίσμα" (chrisma), which is related to "Christos," meaning "the Anointed One." This anointing signifies the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. In the Old Testament, anointing was a physical act that set individuals apart for a specific purpose, such as kings or priests. Here, it symbolizes the spiritual empowerment and sanctification that believers receive, marking them as God's chosen people and equipping them to discern truth from falsehood.

from the Holy One
The "Holy One" refers to Jesus Christ, who is often identified in Scripture as the source of holiness and truth. The Greek term "ἅγιος" (hagios) denotes something sacred or set apart. This phrase highlights the divine origin of the anointing, affirming that it is not a human invention but a gift from Christ Himself. It reassures believers of their secure position in Him, as they are sanctified and guided by His Spirit.

and all of you know the truth
The phrase "know the truth" is rooted in the Greek word "γινώσκω" (ginōskō), which implies a deep, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual assent. This knowledge is not just factual but relational, stemming from a personal relationship with Jesus, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The assurance that "all of you" possess this knowledge emphasizes the communal aspect of the faith, where every believer, regardless of status or maturity, has access to the truth through the Holy Spirit. This truth acts as a safeguard against the lies and deceptions of the world, anchoring the believer in the reality of God's revelation.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - The thought of many antichrists suggests that of many Christs; i.e., many who have been anointed χριστοί by the Christ himself. "The false teachers have the spirit of antichrist; ye have a chrism from the Christ." The Johannine καί places the two antithetical groups side by side, while the emphatic ὑμεῖς (comp. 1 John 4:4) accentuates the contrast. And ye have an anointing from the Holy One. The unction or chrism is the Holy Spirit (John 1:33; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 2:27). As Christ was anointed with the Spirit in all fullness, so each Christian is anointed with him in his measure (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22). The twenty-first 'Catechetical Lecture' of St. Cyril, "On the Holy Chrism," should be read in illustration of this verse. "In apostolic language, each Christian is in due measure himself a Christ, empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit to announce the truth which he has learnt, to apply the atonement which he has received, to establish the kingdom which he believes to be universal" (Westcott). The ἀπό depends on ἔχετε, not on χρίσμα. The Holy One is Jesus Christ (John 6:69; Acts 3:14; Revelation 3:7; comp. John 14:26; John 16:7, 13). It is hard to decide between three readings:

(1) καὶ οἴδατε πάντα, "and ye know all things" necessary to salvation, i.e., "the truth" (verse 21; John 16:13);

(2) καὶ οἴδατε πάντες, "and ye all know" that ye have this anointing;

(3) οἴδατε πάντες," ye all know - I did not write to you because ye know not the truth." There is evidence of a fourth variation, πάντας "ye know all" the antichrists. If . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

You,
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

however,
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

have
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

[an] anointing
χρῖσμα (chrisma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5545: An anointing. From chrio; an unguent or smearing, i.e. the special endowment of the Holy Spirit.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive 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.

Holy [One],
Ἁγίου (Hagiou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

all of you know the truth.
οἴδατε (oidate)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

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NT Letters: 1 John 2:20 You have an anointing from the Holy (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)