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John 8 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
It would not be a stretch to call this the “chapter of traps.” After trying to get Jesus to condemn a woman caught in adultery, the Pharisees continue their verbal trickery.
I Am The Light
Most times we read this statement, we gloss over it as common knowledge. Sure, Jesus is the light. It’s a metaphor. However, such a statement would not have been glossed over so easily in ancient times. Light was an intregal part of Jewish history. It was a symbol that marked the Feast of the Tabernacles and a time to reflect on God had become a pillar of light (fire) that led Israel during their Exodus. Notice how Jesus takes that concept and blows it up.
Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 HCSB
He is not just the light of Israel. He is the light of the entire world! Once again we see a revolutionary statement that challenged the narrow-minded status quo regarding the Messiah. He goes on to use the term “follow Me” – another reference to how Israel had followed the pillar of fire. Disturbed and confused, the Pharisees engage Him once again hoping to spring a trap.
Trap #1
It’s sneaky and disgusting. The religious elite attempt to invalidate Jesus’ witness by using His own words against Him. In John 5, Jesus had said, “If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.” He then went on to prove why His testimony was valid and offered three examples. The Pharisees remembered this, and tried to catch Him contradicting Himself. However, Jesus refers back to Deuteronomy 17 which requires at least two witnesses for testimony to be valid. Naturally, both the Son and the Father testify to His Messianic nature, therefore, His words are true. Interestingly, this also provides foundational evidence supporting the fact that the Son and the Father could be viewed separately. Earlier, in John 1, it was established that Jesus is God in the flesh. He is both God and His own person.
Trap #2
With all this talk about His Father, the Pharisees ask a question that is both insulting and potentially damning. They ask Him who His father is. They know His earthly father is Joseph, but they also know the scandal that surrounds His birth. It was, of course, a virgin birth but they believed was premarital. They may have been expecting Jesus to say Joseph so they could condemn Him with their “inside knowledge.” Jesus doesn’t take the bait. He very plainly tells them they do not know His Father – a complete reversal to the insult they initially planned. In fact, they may not have understood just how insulting this statement was at the time! Jesus was telling them they don’t know God! This fact is revealed later in the chapter. (Joh 8:27 “They did not know He was speaking to them about the Father.”)
Trap #3
Agitated, the Pharisees move to a different tactic which they used repeatedly through Jesus’ ministry. They ask Him to directly state who He is. They were looking for an answer they could use to have Him sentenced and executed. Jesus, once again, doesn’t take the bait. He reiterates His identity as consistent with His previous teachings. Then He goes on to say something that absolutely crushes His opponents.
The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
John 8:29 HCSB
Obedience. Jesus turns the conversation from words to actions. He challenges His opponents to find a flaw in anything He has done to this point. Conversation over.
Fruit
We might be tempted to think that traps like this are just distractions with no real purpose. The conversation was unfair. The motive of the religious leaders was repulsive. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about being put in such a vulnerable state where everything I’m saying is being questioned and evaluated. But one verse reveals a different story. There was fruit.
As He was saying these things, many believed in Him.
John 8:30 HCSB
How did this happen?
The people looking in from the outside saw the consistency of Jesus and the inconsistency of the Pharisees. Both claimed to know God. Both claimed to work for His Kingdom. Both claimed to have authority directly from Him. The difference was found in who had the actions to match the words. The people knew the track records of both, and they believed Jesus because He walked the talk. What a challenge for us to consider!