Was Jesus All-knowing? (And does it matter?)

Some of my very favorite stimulating conversations have centered around this question, “Was Jesus, in His earthly, human-God state, all-knowing?”  Without exception, everyone so far has responded definitively, “Yes!”  Because “He knew what was in their hearts”, etc.  I press a bit further, “Was that inherent knowledge, or revealed to Him in the moment?” and a lively discussion ensues.

Several years ago, I sat in a Bible class under a teacher who both had extensive knowledge and who had an obvious experiential relationship with God.  One day, as I sat in wrapt attention, he made a statement that stirred some real questions within.  He was talking about Jesus in his time on earth and he said, “Imagine an expert at the highest level in whatever field you’re in [I was in healthcare, imagining a brain surgeon]...Jesus had that knowledge.”  I doubted it.  

I raised my hand.  “What if, instead, Jesus “all-knowing” powers were more about his connection to the Father, than about containing within Himself all the possible knowledge in the world?  What if he had access to what was relevant in every situation based on that connection?”  “But He was God so, therefore, all-knowing.”  “But He gave up those rights to come to earth...or would you say that He was also omnipresent?”  There was a palpable silence.  I continued, “What if His connection with the Father was so real that if He had to perform that brain surgery, He would have exactly the knowledge He needed in the moment to carry out the task?  What if that’s what John is talking about throughout his gospel when Jesus repeatedly says, “I only do what I see the Father doing” or “I say the words that the Father gives me.”  What if it’s all about connection instead of divinity?”  I don’t need to tell you that both the teacher and the classroom were swayed…

Why does it matter?  Because I think we get tripped up by seeing Jesus, in His time on earth, simply as God.  Yes, He was both God and human and we can’t wrap our minds around that.  But if we stop for a second to see Him as the human Son of an all-knowing God, suddenly, that’s relatable!  If it’s more about his connection to the Father than the fact that He was divine, and that’s within our reach!  In His humanity, Jesus was so vitally connected to the Father that John implies that there was a constant dialogue between Father and Son as Jesus went about His work.  Is it any surprise then that Jesus “knew what was in their hearts”?  

John 5:19-20, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

So Jesus answered them by saying, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn]. The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment."

John 12:49, AMPC

"This is because I have never spoken on My own authority or of My own accord or as self-appointed, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders [concerning] what to say and what to tell."

John 5:30, AMPC

"I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgement is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me."

John 14:10, AMPC

"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power)."

So to complete to the original question, Was Jesus All-knowing, or was He “just” connected to the Father?  And if the latter, then shouldn’t we be able to aim towards cultivating the same?  And yes, that’s why it matters.  It actually impacts everyday life if that kind of connectedness is within our reach.

Maybe it seems like I’m stoking a pot for the sake of controversy, or otherwise straining at straws, but, as always, these musings are written merely to provoke thought and challenge beliefs in a quest to find and live out truth.  I’d love to hear your response!