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In this lesson:
"Who art thou?" Remember this question as you read today's passage. Study Tip: Find the truth in each passage of the Bible. Think how that truth is relevant to you. Decide how you can apply that truth to your life. |
Jesus teaching in the Temple (John 8:20).
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 8:12-30
The light of the world 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 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. 20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. 21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. 28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. |
Margin notes:
"Then spake Jesus again unto them." (8:12) - Jesus returns to talking with the assembled crowd after the incident with the Pharisees and the adulteress woman. "I am the light of the world." (8:12) - To the Pharisee's shock, Jesus is proclaiming His deity. This critical point, that Jesus is the "light of the world," is repeated from John 1:9. So there can be no misunderstanding, Jesus will tell us again in verses 9:5 and 12:46. Also, this is the second of seven times in John's Gospel that Jesus says, "I Am." The first was "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). Keep your eyes open for the next five. "Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true." (8:13) - Means, "You're bearing witness for yourself, therefore it can't be trusted." According to Mosaic Law, at least two witnesses were required to validate a claim (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). "Ye cannot tell whence I come." (8:14) - "You don't know where I come from." "Ye judge after the flesh." (8:15) - "You judge according to human standards." "The testimony of two men is true." (8:17) - Again, the Mosaic Law required at least two witnesses to establish a truth. "The treasury." (8:20) - Part of the "Court of Women" inside the Temple, so named because thirteen donation boxes were located there (see also Luke 21:1-4). "No man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come." (8:20) - God's divine plan called for Jesus to be arrested later in Gethsemane Garden, giving Him more time to prepare His church. See also John 7:30 (lesson 181). "I go my way, and ye shall seek me." (8:21) - Where will Jesus go? Look back to John 7:33-34 (lesson 181). "Ye...shall die in your sins." (8:21) - Jesus will reinforce this message in verse 8:24. "If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (8:24) - Believe in Jesus Christ or die in sin, a powerful statement. "He that sent me is true." (8:26) - Means God is dependable. Jesus is repeating this from John 7:28. See also John 3:33. "When ye have lifted up the Son of man." (8:28) - "When you have lifted me up on the cross." |
New Living Translation
John 8:12-30
Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
13 The Pharisees replied, "You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid."
14 Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me.
15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.
16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me.
17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.
18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."
19 "Where is your father?" they asked.
Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father."
20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.
The Unbelieving People Warned
21 Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going."
22 The people asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, 'You cannot come where I am going'?"
23 Jesus continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.
24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins."
25 "Who are you?" they demanded.
Jesus replied, "The one I have always claimed to be.
26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful."
27 But they still didn't understand that he was talking about his Father.
28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.
29 And the one who sent me is with me-he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him."
30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
13 The Pharisees replied, "You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid."
14 Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me.
15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.
16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me.
17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.
18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."
19 "Where is your father?" they asked.
Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father."
20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.
The Unbelieving People Warned
21 Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going."
22 The people asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, 'You cannot come where I am going'?"
23 Jesus continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.
24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins."
25 "Who are you?" they demanded.
Jesus replied, "The one I have always claimed to be.
26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful."
27 But they still didn't understand that he was talking about his Father.
28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.
29 And the one who sent me is with me-he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him."
30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (8:12)
"And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (8:23-24)
"Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him." (8:28-30)
"And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (8:23-24)
"Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him." (8:28-30)
Today's Question:
1. Who does Jesus claim to be? (8:12)
One purpose of this course is to create an interest in learning more about the Bible.
So, please spend time exploring the Scriptures on your own.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. As foretold seven hundred years earlier in Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, and 60:19-20, Jesus told the Temple crowd that He is "the light of the world," The Son of God. In no uncertain terms, this passage tells us exactly who Jesus is and what His mission was. Jesus is the light that illuminates our path and guides us (Psalm 119:105). He is the Messiah, the "light of life" who came to save humanity from their sins (Acts 13:47). To have any chance of salvation, we must follow Jesus Christ (8:24). Without Jesus, there is only darkness and hopelessness. See also John 1:4-9; 3:19; 9:5; 12:35-36; 12:46 and 2 Corinthians 4:6.
Application thought for the day:
Spend the day thinking about what it means to follow Jesus.
1. Who does Jesus claim to be? (8:12)
One purpose of this course is to create an interest in learning more about the Bible.
So, please spend time exploring the Scriptures on your own.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. As foretold seven hundred years earlier in Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, and 60:19-20, Jesus told the Temple crowd that He is "the light of the world," The Son of God. In no uncertain terms, this passage tells us exactly who Jesus is and what His mission was. Jesus is the light that illuminates our path and guides us (Psalm 119:105). He is the Messiah, the "light of life" who came to save humanity from their sins (Acts 13:47). To have any chance of salvation, we must follow Jesus Christ (8:24). Without Jesus, there is only darkness and hopelessness. See also John 1:4-9; 3:19; 9:5; 12:35-36; 12:46 and 2 Corinthians 4:6.
Application thought for the day:
Spend the day thinking about what it means to follow Jesus.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke