THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Chapter Eight
Verses Twelve to Fifty-nine

12

When Jesus spoke to the people again, He said,

I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me shall never walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

13

The Pharisees challenged him,

Who are you to witness on your own behalf?

Your testimony alone is not valid.

14

Jesus replied,

Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is still valid.

Because I know where I came from and where I am going.

But you have no comprehension where I come from or where I am going.

You use only human standards to judge, but I am not judging anyone.

Even if I do judge, my judgment will be sound; because I am not alone.

I stand with the Father, who sent me.

In your own law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.

I may testify for myself, but the Father who sent me is my witness.

19

They asked him,

Where is your Father?

Jesus replied,

You do not know me nor my Father, if you knew me, you would know my Father as well.

20

He spoke these words while teaching in the Temple grounds,

Yet no one seized Him, because His time had not yet come.

21

Again He said to them,

I am going away and you will look for Me, and you shall die in your sin.

It is impossible for you to go where I am going.

22

The Jews murmured,

Is he going to kill himself?

Is this what he means when he says that it is impossible for us to go where he is going?

23

Jesus continued,

You are from below, I am from above.

Because I know where I came from and where I am going.

You are of this world, I am not of this world.

I have told you already that you will die in your sins.

Because, if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.

25

They asked,

Who are you?

Jesus replied

Why do I bother to talk to you?

I have much to say in judgment of you.

But, He who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from Him I declare to the world.

27

They did not comprehend that He was speaking about His Father.

28

Jesus continued,

When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.

I do nothing by myself, I speak only what the Father has taught me.

He who sent me is with me, he has not left me alone,

because I always do what pleases Him.

30

While He was speaking these words, many put their faith in Him.

31

To these Jews, who believed Him, Jesus said,

If you earnestly remain in my teaching, then you will indeed be my disciples.

You shall know the correct doctrine and that truth will make you free.

33

Other Jews questioned Him,

We are descended from Abraham, and we have never been the slaves of anyone.

What do you mean when you say, we will be made free?

34

Jesus replied,

I tell you and it is true, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Now the slave's place in the house is not assured, but the son's place is assured.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

I know that you are descended from Abraham.

In spite of that, you want to kill me because nothing I say has penetrated into your mind.

What I tell you, I have seen in the Father's presence,

And you, you do what you have learned from your father!

39

They retorted.

Abraham is our father!

Jesus observed:

If you were indeed Abraham's children, then you would do the things that Abraham did.

Even now you determine to murder me, when I tell you the truth I have learned from God.

That is not what Abraham did.

What you are doing, is what your father does.

They protested,

Have we been spiritually unfaithful? Our father is God Himself.

42

Jesus said to them,

If God were your Father, You would have loved me.

It is from God I am, and it is from God I come.

I have not come on my own initiative, for He has sent me.

Do you know why you cannot comprehend?

It is because you are unable to hear what I say.

The devil is your father and you prefer to do what your father wants.

He was a murderer from the start.

He has never stood for truth, for there is no truth in him at all.

In his lies, he speaks his native tongue, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

But as for me, I speak the truth, that is why you do not believe me!

Can one of you convict me of sin?

If I speak the truth, why don't you believe me?

A child of God listens to the words of God.

For this reason you cannot hear: you do not belong to God.

48

The Jews answered Him,

It has been well said, that you are a Samaritan and possessed by a demon.

49

Jesus replied,

I am not possessed by a demon.

I honor my Father, you dishonor me.

I do not seek my own glory.

There is one who takes care of that and is the judge of it.

I tell you and it is true, whoever keeps my word, will never see death.

52

The Jews exclaimed,

Now we know for certain that you are demon-possessed!

Abraham died and so have the prophets.

Yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.'

Surely you are not greater than our father Abraham?

He died and so did the prophets.

Just who do you think you are?

54

Jesus answered,

If I seek my own glory, that would be no glory at all.

My glory is conferred by the Father.

It is by Him, whom you claim as your God.

You have not known Him, I do know Him.

If I had said that I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you.

But I do know Him and keep His word.

Your father Abraham rejoiced knowing that he would see my day.

He saw it and was glad.

57

The Jews argued,

You, who are not yet fifty, you have seen Abraham?

58

Jesus answered,

I tell you and it is true, before Abraham ever was, I AM.

59

At this point, they picked up stones to stone Him, but Jesus hid Himself,

and left the temple grounds.

FORWARD to next section.