John 8:12-30
12 Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Those people who become my disciples will never walk in the dark. No, they will have the light that gives life.’
13 The Pharisees began to argue with him. They said, ‘You are saying things about yourself. But there is nobody else to agree that these things are true.’ 14 Jesus answered, ‘What I say is true. Even if I do speak about myself, my words are true. I know where I have come from. I also know where I will go. As for you, you do not know where I came from. You do not know where I will go.
15 You judge in the way that people think. I do not judge anyone. 16 But if I did judge anyone, I would decide correctly what is right. That is because I am not alone. The Father has sent me, and he is with me. 17 Your own Law says, “There must be two people to agree that something is true.”
18 I speak what is true about myself. The Father, who sent me, also speaks what is true about me.’ 19 Then they asked him, ‘So where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know either me or my Father. If you really knew me, you would also know my Father.’ 20 Jesus said all these words while he taught in the yard of the temple. He was near the place where they kept the gifts of money. But nobody took hold of him, because it was not the right time for that yet. 21 Jesus said to them again, ‘I will go away and you will look for me. But even when you die, God will still not have forgiven your sins. You cannot go where I will go.’ 22 So the Jewish leaders said to each other, ‘Perhaps he means that he will kill himself. He says, “You cannot go where I will go.” Perhaps that is why he says this.’ 23 Jesus answered, ‘You belong to the things down here in the world. But I have come from above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. 24 I told you that when you die, God will not have forgiven you. You must believe that “I am who I am.” If not, you will die and God will certainly not have forgiven you.’ 25 Then the Jewish leaders asked Jesus, ‘So, who are you?’ He answered, ‘I have told you who I am from the beginning. 26 I have many things I could say about you. I could show that you have done many wrong things. But the one who sent me speaks to me. I tell people only what I have heard him say to me. What he says is true.’
27 They did not understand that he was speaking to them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, ‘You will lift up the Son of Man on a cross. Then you will know that “I am who I am”. And you will know that I do nothing by myself. I say only what the Father has taught me to say. 29 He who sent me is with me. I always do the things that make him happy. So he has never gone away and left me alone.’ 30 Many people who heard Jesus say these things believed in him.“
Questions:
1. V.13 What accusations did the Pharisees make against Jesus? How did Jesus defend it? Why did Jesus have the authority to testify for himself? Why was his testimony true (see John 5:31-40)?
2. V.15-16 What is the difference between Jesus’ judgment and that of the Pharisees? Why is Jesus’ judgment true?
3. What is the real reason why the Pharisees could not recognize Jesus (see 5:37-38)?
4. V.21 When Jesus mentioned His leaving, what did He mean (see 7:33-34)? Why did the Pharisees die in their sins? Did the Pharisees understand Jesus’ words?
5. V.23 Jesus mentioned that He and the Pharisees (including all unbelieving people in the world) belong to which two different realms? What is the contrast between these two realms? How can people enter from the realm below to the realm above? Domain (see John 3:3)?
6. What does V.28 “lift up the Son of Man” mean? See Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33-34. Which three places in this book mention "the Son of Man will be lifted up"? See John 3:14. 8:28. 12:33-34. From the context of these three passages, Jesus' fate is In whose hands is it?
7. V.25 The Jews asked Jesus who he really was? How did Jesus answer their questions in these two verses V24 and 28? Did they understand? Did Jesus’ speech this time receive a positive response?
Reflection and Application:
Have you ever walked in darkness? Please share what “Jesus is the Light of the World” means to you. The Pharisees were unable to discern that the testimony of Jesus was true. When you witness to unbelievers, the other party may not agree that your testimony is true. What should you do?
