I Am the Light of the World.
John 8:12-30
Key Verse 12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Jesus presents himself as the “light” of the world. In John 6-8, Jesus uses three different metaphors to describe himself: Manna, water, and light. All of these are related to the “wilderness wanderings” period of Israel’s history after the Exodus.
“I am the light of the world” is the second of the seven ‘I AM’ statements in this Gospel. The 7 “I AM” statements reveal who Jesus really is and call our attention to what we need to do with him.
Through his statement, Jesus proclaims that he is our God and Savior whom we should follow.
Jesus also promises that, if we follow him, we will receive the light of life.
May God help us deeply accept him as our Messiah and our God and follow him! Amen.
1. Read verse 12.
ANSWER:
Jn 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Who does Jesus claim himself to be?
ANSWER:
The light of the world.
He is not just the light of the Jews.
Setting:
The Feast of Tabernacles was still underway if we assume that 7:53-8:11 was not in this gospel originally. Otherwise, the feast was over (8:2 refers to dawn of the day after 7:37, the last day of the feast).
Jesus was in the Court of the Women in the temple where the four golden candelabra stood. Verse 20 reads, “He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put.”
Jesus made this “I AM” statement (the second of seven) in reference to the four golden candelabra.
The lighting of the four huge candelabra during the feast symbolized God who led Israel by a pillar of fire during Israel’s desert journeys (Exo 13:21-22; Num 9:15-21).
Jesus takes this important Jewish symbol and applied to himself to reveal his identity, origin and mission. He is the Son who came from above to show us his Father and to die on the cross to open the way to the Father.
Jesus, by his crucifixion, is the splendorous candelabra, the light of the world. Lifted up on the cross, the light of his glory and love and truth shines forth, drawing men to himself (Jn 12:32, 23). By means of his death on the cross, the Holy Spirit is poured out, shining light into hearts and minds through the word of God, convicting men of sin, showing them the way of salvation, and drawing them to repentance and faith and to the kingdom of God whereupon men receive the light of life.
“Light” is a symbol for God (Psa 27:1; Exo 13:21; Isa 60:20; 1Jn 1:5). So, by calling himself the “light”, Jesus was claiming to be God. This was on top of using the words “I AM” in reference to Exo 3:14 to proclaim himself to be God.
The term “light” is a title for the Messiah (Isa 9:2, 42:6, 49:6)
When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world”, he was claiming to be the Messiah.
Jesus was saying, ‘I am your Messiah’.
Light is another name for the Word of God (Psa 43:3, 119:105).
Jesus is the Word (Jn 1:1). Jesus is the light. (Jn 1:4)
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
ANSWER:
To “follow” Jesus means following him similar to the way:
a soldier follows his captain with an absolute attitude.
a slave follows his master, attending to his master’s needs with joy.
a disciple follows his teacher, esteeming his teachings, learning from him and following his wise counsel.
a loyal subject follows his king, obeying the laws of his government and standards.
In short, following Jesus means that we obey him, honor him, praise him, love him, glorify him and worship him.
Following Jesus must be done with all our heart and mind and strength.
We follow him completely. We follow him wholeheartedly.
We do not follow him half-heartedly.
We are willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus (Luk 14:33).
That’s the kind of following Jesus meant.
To follow him means that we live according to his word (31).
We must live according to his word rather than our own idea or non-biblical philosophies.
It is through his living word that the light of life is administered to us (Jn 6:63; 14:15-17,21,23).
What happens when a person follows Jesus?
ANSWER:
Jn 8:12b Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
(See the above underlined text).
The person who genuinely follows Jesus will be given the Holy Spirit. The Spirit delivers that person from the dominion of darkness and death and installs in him the dominion of Jesus, the dominion of light and life.
To walk in darkness means:
To have sin and the love of this dark world ruling inside.
To have inside oneself the kingdom of hatred, murder, fear, lust and jealousy. To be controlled by evil habit patterns.
To lack happiness, contentment, and love inside; to be empty and dead, unable to find pleasure in God but only temporary pleasure in fleshly things.
To have the light of Jesus means:
We know (with certainty, not vaguely) the Truth (32; 1Jo 5:20; Jn 17:3). The Holy Spirit shows us the glory of who Jesus is (Jn 1:51; 16:14; 14:21; 17:24; 1Co 2:12). In his light, we know Jesus’ redeeming love for us (Ro 5:5) and the worthiness of investing our life into his worship and service.
We know who we are, that we are his possession and child (1Jn 5:19a, 13; 3:19, 24; Ro 8:16; Mat 16:18a).
We have discernment to see things clearly.
We grow daily in the understanding of his teachings with assurance of its truth.
We can discern what is eternal, or temporary, worthy or worthless.
We know the right way and follow the right way without wandering.
We can have a clear life direction to follow.
We have Jesus as our direct Teacher and Shepherd (1Jn 2:27; Jn 10:14, 27).
To have the life of Jesus means:
We have received from the Spirit the powerful, life-giving benefits of what Jesus did on the cross. Sin has lost its dominion and a new object of love, Jesus, has arisen in our heart which was once dead to him. He has become the new object of our love and affection and delight and interest and service (Ro 7:6).
We have power to live a new life (1Jn 2:3; Ro 6:4,6)
We have eternal life.
This combination of light of revelation and transformative, powerful, liberating life establishes Jesus as King of our affections and the fountain of our joy, giving us fullness of life (Jn 10:10b). This combination establishes Jesus as the captain, master, teacher, and king of our life, so that we know which paths to follow and how to live.
2. Read verses 13-20.
ANSWER:
Jn 8:13-20 The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid." 14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me." 19 Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.
How did the Pharisees challenge Jesus? (13)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:13 The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."
(See the above underlined text).
The Pharisees knew that Jesus was claiming himself to be the Messiah by saying, “I am the light of the world”.
The Jews raised an objection based on a legal technicality of lack of evidence. They alleged that there was no reason to accept his testimony because there were no witnesses to support it.
The Law requires two witnesses (Num 35:30; Deu 17:6; 19:15-21).
Jesus had spoken earlier regarding this (Jn 5:31) and had provided several witnesses.
What gives validity to Jesus’ testimony? (14,16-18)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.
Jn 8:16-18 But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."
The light of Jesus itself gives validity to his claim to be the light of the world. Light is self-evidencing. It needs no external corroboration.
The words of Jesus are self-attesting because of their illuminating effect; the Spirit persuades us of their truth and unlocks the meaning of his words so that they makes sense (1Jn 5:10; Acts 5:32; Jn 15:26).
The words of Jesus are self-attesting because of their life-giving effect; the Spirit gives life to us through his words and sanctifies us.
Jesus knew with certainty about his origin and destiny (14; 16:28). He came as a light to reveal his Father and the way to come to the Father to people in darkness like these Pharisees. But, having rejected him and his light, they had no idea about his origin and destiny. Their objection shows that they were in darkness; they had no idea where they themselves were going. In darkness, they were not qualified to make a judgment about him.
God the Father who was with Jesus was his second witness (16-18)
Jesus had intimate union with God the Father always (Jn 8:16,29; 16:32).
What is the difference between the Jews and Jesus in the matter of judgment? (15-16)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:15-16 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.
The Jews judged by human standards.
They judged him according to outward appearances (7:24) because that is how they presented themselves to others, seeking praise from men (12:43).
Human standards are determined by human beings. These standards are relative and based on external behaviors, not internal motives.
Not only the Jews but all of us judge people by human standards.
Judging people is a sin (Mat 7:1)
Only God can judge people (1Co 4:4-5)
Jesus judged no one.
God sent Jesus to save the world, not to condemn (Jn 3:17).
Jesus came not to judge, but to give life.
By the very fact of his coming, those who reject him are “judged” in a sense (Jn 3:18-21; 9:39).
What do the Jews not know? (14,19,25)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.
Jn 8:19 Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
Jn 8:25 "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied.
The Jews do not know God the Father. (19)
They understood Jesus only on a physical, literal level.
Because of their preconceived ideas and pride, they were closed to the truth (Jn 8:27).
The Jews had no idea about Jesus’ identity, origin or mission (14,19,25)
They did not know Jesus’ place of birth (Jn 7:41-42)
They did not know where he was going (Jn 7:34-36; 8:21).
They did not know how he came from the Father to reveal his Father.
They did not know who he was.
3. Read verses 21-24.
ANSWER:
Jn 8:21-24 Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come." 22 This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, `Where I go, you cannot come'?" 23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins."
What will happen to Jesus and to them? (21)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:21 Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."
Jesus was going to heaven.
The Jews were not going to heaven. (They were going to hell).
They will look for their Messiah when the days come upon them that Roman legions attack the city. God in his wrath was going to destroy them for having killed their Messiah and their will die in their sin (Luk 19:41-44; Mat 23:33-36).
Jesus’ words of warning echo those of Pro 1:24-30 which reads, “But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, 25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you -- 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. 28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. 29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD”.
Jesus evidently did not believe that his return would proceed the time of their deaths.
What did Jesus say about his origin and their origin? (23)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
The origin of the Jews:
From below; from the earth;
They belonged to this world. This world is under the control of the evil one (Eph 2:2, 1 Jn 5:19)
They were “of” the world, meaning unspiritual, corrupted, and flesh-oriented.
The origin of Jesus:
From above, from heaven (Jn 3:13; 1Co 15:48).
He belongs to heaven, not this world.
What will happen if we refuse to believe in Jesus? (24)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins."
(See the above underlined text).
Jesus states that he is the “I AM”.
The title “I AM” is a claim to deity. It is a reference to the great “I AM” of Exo 3:14, YHWH.
The words “the one I claim to be” were added by translators.
The result of continual, ongoing rejection of Jesus by willful unbelief is to die in sin.
Saving faith is one that accepts him as our God and Savior.
Those who do not know Jesus and following him do not have life (12, 17:3). At the last day, Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you” (Mat 7:23) or “I don’t know you” (Mat 25:12).
What does it mean ‘to die in your sins’?
ANSWER:
It means to die separated from Jesus and from the gift of eternal life found in him – to die under the penalty of sin which is eternal death (Ro 6:23; 2Th 1:8-9).
If we deal with our sins by following Jesus, we will not die in our sins but receive the light of life (12).
4. Read verses 25-30.
ANSWER:
Jn 8:25-30 "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 26 "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." 27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
What did the Jews ask Jesus? (25a)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:25a "Who are you?" they asked.
(See the above underlined text).
Their question was not sincere and honest.
They were looking for legal grounds for a charge of blasphemy (Mat 26:59-65).
What was Jesus’ answer? (25b-26)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:25b-26 "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 26 "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world."
He said, “Just what I have been claiming all along”
Jesus already clearly revealed himself through his words and his deeds.
His miraculous signs and words clearly show his deity and authority (5:36).
Jesus had much to say in judgment of the Jews.
Yet Jesus did not say anything in judgment of the Jews except for what he has heard from the Father.
Jesus reveals in his reply:
The Father sent me (Jn 3:17,34; 4:34; 5:36,38; 6:29,44,57; 7:28-29; 8:16,26,42)
The Father is true (Jn 3:33; 7:28)
His teachings are from the Father (Jn 3:11; 7:16-17; 8:26,28,40; 12:49; 14:24; 15:15)
Jesus reveals the Father (Jn 1:18; 8:26-29; 12:49-50; 14:7,9)
In short, Jesus reveals here that he is the Prophet whom God promised to send in Deu 18:18-19 (Acts 3:22).
What will they know after they have lifted up the Son of Man?” (28)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
They will know that he was their Messiah, the Prophet who spoke the Father’s words to them.
The phrase “lifted up” refers the crucifixion of Jesus (Jn 3:14; 12:32-33; Isa 52:13).
They would find out who Jesus was after his crucifixion when it was too late.
This was not necessarily going to be a saving revelation of his identity but rather a conviction of their guilt for having killing their Messiah -- a conviction coming with dread of divine punishment (Luk 23:48).
Many will know who Jesus is when it is too late after they die.
What is the relationship between the Father and the Son? (29)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
God the Father is with Jesus (perfect unity with God the Father).
Jesus always does what please God the Father. Jesus is sinless and perfect and holy.
His life was consistent with his message.
What happened to many even as Jesus spoke? (30)
ANSWER:
Jn 8:30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
(See the above underlined text).
The words of Jesus came with power so that, as he spoke, they believed in him.
Their belief was probably not genuine and saving but temporary and shallow. Soon, they would turn from their belief and seek to stone him (59).
They believed in him but would not come to him (repent) by holding his word (31).
In Conclusion: Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is God. When we follow Jesus, we will not be in the darkness, but will have the light of life.
Even if 7:53-8:11 is rightly placed in John’s Gospel, the feast may still have been under way. Lev 23:36 indicates that the Feast of Tabernacles lasts 8 days but Deu 16:13 indicates that it lasts 7 days. So, Jn 7:37 may have referred to the seventh day with one day still remaining in the feast. “Whether the events in John 7:37—39 took place on the seventh or eighth day is not clear because either day could technically be called “the last and greatest day” (7:37) since the eighth day was not really an original part of Tabernacles… The expression “the great day” is not specifically found in the Jewish sources though either the seventh or eighth day could be so designated depending on one’s point of view.” (Gerald L. Borchert, John 1-11, New American Commentary, Pg 290)
“In the very Court of the Women where Jesus was speaking, four huge candelabra were lit, pushing light up into the night sky like a searchlight.” (John MacArthur, John 1-11, Pg 334).
“The analogy of light, as with Jesus’ earlier use of the metaphor of living water (7:37—39), was particularly relevant to the Feast of Tabernacles. The daily water-pouring ceremony had its nightly counterpart in a lamp-lighting ceremony. In the very Court of the Women where Jesus was speaking, four huge candelabra were lit, pushing light up into the night sky like a searchlight. So brilliant was their light that one ancient Jewish source declared, “There was not a courtyard in Jerusalem that did not reflect [their] light” (cited in F F Bruce, The Gospel of John [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983], 206 n. 1).They served as a reminder of the pillar of fire by which God had guided Israel in the wilderness (Ex. 13:21—22). The people—even the most dignified leaders—danced exuberantly around the candelabra through the night, holding blazing torches in their hands and singing songs of praise. It was against the backdrop of that ceremony that Jesus made the stunning announcement that He is the true Light of the world.” (John MacArthur, John 1-11, Pg 334). “As the Mishnah states: On the first, or, as the Talmud would have it, on every night of the festive week, ‘the Court of the Women’ was brilliantly illuminated, and the night spent in the demonstrations already described.” (Alfred Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah) “At the close of the first day of the feast the worshippers descended to the Court of the Women, where great preparations had been made. Four golden candelabras were there, each with four golden bowls, and against them rested four ladders; and four youths of priestly descent held, each a pitcher of oil, capable of holding one hundred and twenty log, from which they filled each bowl. The old, worn breeches and girdles of the priests served for wicks to these lamps. There was not a court in Jerusalem that was not lit up by the light of ‘the house of water-pouring.’ The ‘Chassidim’ and ‘the men of Deed’ danced before the people with flaming torches in their hands, and sang before them hymns and songs of praise; and the Levites, with harps, and lutes, and cymbals, and trumpets, and instruments of music without number, stood upon the fifteen steps which led down from the Court of Israel to that of the Women, according to the number of the fifteen Songs of Degrees in the Book of Psalms. They stood with their instruments of music, and sang hymns... It seems clear that this illumination of the Temple was regarded as forming part of, and having the same symbolical meaning as, ‘the pouring out of water.’ The light shining out of the Temple into the darkness around, and lighting up every court in Jerusalem, must have been intended as a symbol not only of the Shechinah which once filled the Temple, but of that ‘great light’ which ‘the people that walked in darkness’ were to see, and which was to shine ‘upon them that dwell in the land of the shadow of death’ (Isa 9:2). May it not be, that such prophecies as Isaiah 9 and 60 were connected with this symbolism? At any rate, it seems most probable that Jesus had referred to this ceremony in the words spoken by Him in the Temple at that very Feast of Tabernacles: ‘I am the light of the
world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life’ (John 8:12).” (Alfred Edersheim, The Temple - Its Ministry and Services).
This metaphor of light is repeated in John (Jn 1:4,5,9; Jn 3:19-21; Jn 9:5; Jn 12:46)
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