1 John 3:20

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Cross-references

In Jeremiah 23:24, God declares no one can hide from him because he fills heaven and earth, reinforcing that he knows all things, including our hidden guilt.

Revelation 2:23 says Christ searches minds and hearts — the same omniscience that reassures believers in 1 John.

Hebrews 4:13 declares nothing is hidden from God's sight — reinforcing the theme of total divine knowledge.

1 Corinthians 4:4 says the Lord judges even with a clear conscience — echoes God being greater than our heart.

Romans 2:15 Parallel

Romans 2:15 describes conscience accusing or excusing — directly parallels heart condemning and God's greater knowledge.

John 21:17 Parallel

In John 21:17, Peter affirms Jesus knows everything — a direct echo of the claim that God knows all things.

John 10:29 Parallel

In John 10:29, Jesus says the Father is greater than all, directly echoing the 'God is greater than our heart' here, assuring believers of supreme power over condemnation.

John 2:25 Parallel

In John 2:25, Jesus knows what is in every person — directly parallel to God knowing all, including our hearts.

In Jeremiah 17:10, the Lord searches the heart and mind, showing that God’s knowledge is moral and personal, as 1 John 3:20 affirms he knows all things.

In Psalm 139:1-4, God’s exhaustive knowledge of thoughts and words is detailed, providing a powerful Old Testament backdrop to 'knows all things' here.

Psalm 90:8 Parallel

In Psalm 90:8, God sets our secret sins in the light of his presence, illustrating the omniscience that 1 John 3:20 says is greater than our condemning heart.

Psalm 44:21 Parallel

In Psalm 44:21, God discovers hidden sin because he knows the secrets of the heart, directly paralleling 'knows all things' in 1 John 3:20.

Genesis 3:10 shows Adam's fear after sin — a classic example of a condemning heart, which God's greater knowledge overcomes.

Jeremiah 12:3 appeals to God's knowledge of the prophet's thoughts, directly reinforcing the claim that God knows everything.

2 Samuel 24:10 shows David's heart striking him after numbering Israel — another example of a heart that condemns.

1 Samuel 24:5 shows David's heart striking him after cutting Saul's robe — a direct instance of a condemning heart.

John 8:9 Parallel

John 8:9 shows accusers convicted by conscience — a narrative parallel to heart condemnation.