Category: The Gospel of John

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (John 8:48-51).

If you recall from our study in John 4, the Jews viewed the Samaritans with disdain and contempt. The Samaritans were a half-Jew/half-Gentile people. This was the result of the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. and the intermarriage which followed. Therefore, when the Jewish leaders called Jesus a Samaritan, they indicated their contempt for Him along with their disrespect. Since they could not find fault in His personal life and conduct they resorted to personal abuse.

They also accused Jesus of having a demon. Dr. R.C. Sproul explains the Jewish religious leaders reasoning.

“In today’s passage, we see how these same Jews accused Jesus of being a Samaritan and of having a devil Himself (v. 48). The reason behind their calling Him a Samaritan seems to be the common Jewish view that the Samaritans were unclean and ignorant of true religion. Their thought would be something like this: “Only a demon-possessed Samaritan would have the nerve to accuse Jews, the true children of God, of not being the children of God.” In any case, Jesus rejected their accusation, saying that He could not have a demon because He honored God. And in honoring God, He was not seeking His own glory. Jesus was not seeking to advance Himself. He was concerned only for the truth and for His Father’s will, and His Father’s will is to glorify the Son (vv. 49–50). The Jews were rejecting Him at their peril.”

However, in spite of their derision Jesus continued to offer the gift of salvation to the Jews who trusted in their own righteousness. He explained that those who trusted in Him, and as a result kept the Word of God, would never see death. Jesus was not speaking of physical death but rather eternal death in which physical death cannot overcome (John 5:24; 6:40-47; 11:25-26).

Dr. John Walvoord states that Jesus is, “Partly vindicating His lofty claims as Lord of the kingdom of life everlasting, and, at the same time, holding out even to His revilers the scepter of grace. The word “keep” is in harmony with John 8:31, “If ye continue in My word,” expressing the permanency, as a living and paramount principle, of that faith to which He referred: “never see death,” though virtually uttered before (John 5:24), is the strongest and most naked statement of a very glorious truth yet given. (In John 11:26 it is repeated in nearly identical terms).”

Isn’t it interesting that even today there are those who claim to believe in the existence of God but still reject and regard with disdain, or at least disinterest, the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus remains the only way to receive righteousness and eternal life.

Repent of your sin and receive Him today as Savior and Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”(John 8:41-47).

There is a lot to be observed in today’s text. The give and take between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day demonstrate an unswerving commitment to truth by Jesus and an equally unswerving demonstration of pride and arrogance by the Jewish religious leadership.

Jesus begins by declaring the Jews are doing the same things their ancestors did to the prophets of God. They rejected Jesus just as their forefathers rejected the prophets.

The Jews do not respond with a truthful acknowledgement of Jesus’ statement, but rather insult Him by calling Him an illegitimate son of Joseph and Mary. While it is implied that Jesus may have at least two human fathers, one biological and the other relational, the Jews counter that they have only one father: and that father is God.

Jesus responds by using a cause and effect logical argument. If the Jews were truly children of God, then they would love Jesus because He is God. The reason they do not understand this truth about Jesus is because God’s Word, in spite of the Jews outward religiosity, has no place in their thoughts, emotions or decisions. They cannot bear to hear the word of God. Therefore, they do not love Jesus because they do not have His Word in their hearts.

Jesus then declares the logical conclusion that since the Jews do not love Him and do not have God’s Word dwelling in their hearts, the devil in reality is their true spiritual father. This is proven by the character of the devil and the behavior of the religious leaders. The devil is a murderer and a liar. So also are the religious leaders.

Finally, Jesus makes this final evaluation of His opponents. “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Pastor Burk Parsons explains that, “The Jews whom Jesus confronted after He declared Himself the light of the world apparently understood that Jesus was speaking of a spiritual sonship of Abraham when He rejected their claim to be Abraham’s children (John 8:39–40). We see evidence of this in today’s passage. The Jews claimed not to be illegitimate spiritual children but rather to be children of God (v. 41). On the surface, they had some scriptural justification for this, for Israel is called the son of God in the Old Testament (Hos. 11:1). But again, this reflects an idea that physical descent and Jewish blood is sufficient to make a person spiritually sound, to make him a child of God spiritually.”

The practical application to believers today is clear. Just because a person says they are a follower of Christ does not make it so. The true, biblical evidence of saving faith is love for God and a love for His Word.

Take time today to read 2 Peter 1:3-11.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

“I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father. They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.” (John 8:37-40)

Jesus’ opening statement in John 8:37 is an acknowledgment of what the Jewish religious leaders said in John 8:33. Jesus understands that the leaders are the physical descendants of the patriarch Abraham.

However, God is more interested in an individual’s spiritual relationship with Him. A good person’s godly ancestry doesn’t help a person if they are living in disobedience and sin (Ezekiel 18). Likewise, a person’s ungodly ancestry doesn’t hinder the Holy Spirit regenerating them and they coming to God-given faith in Christ (Romans 4:9-12; Galatians 3:29; 4:21-31).

Jesus subsequently identifies the spiritual condition of the religious leaders. This evaluation is not based on their ancestry but rather on their actions. They seek to kill Jesus. This is because God’s Word has no place in their souls, in spite of their outward religiosity.

Jesus concludes in this section that one’s true heritage and spiritual condition is identified not by credentials and one’s family tree, but rather by one’s behavior.

However, in spite of Jesus’ logic the religious leaders adamantly protest by again proclaiming their religious heritage “Abraham is our father.” Yet Jesus responds with factual evidence rather than trade with them argumentative statements.

He says “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.”

Jesus indicated that Abraham, even though he was a sinner, was obedient to God’s direction even when it was painful. This indicates the fundamental distinction between Abraham and the religious leaders of Jesus’ day or any day. As Dr. R. C. Sproul wisely observes, “True sonship is not defined by biology but by obedience.”

John Calvin writes, “He (Jesus) proves from the effect that they (the religious leaders) are not the children of God, as they boasted, because they oppose God. And, indeed, is there anything in Abraham that is more highly commended that the obedience of faith? This then is the mark of distinction, whenever we are required to distinguish between His children and strangers; for empty titles, whatever estimation they may procure from the world, are of no account with God. Christ concludes again, that they are the children of the devil, because they hate with deadly hatred true and sound doctrine.”

No matter how religious a person may seem outwardly, they are a child of the devil if they have rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. While it may be easy to hate such a person, we are called and commanded to pray and plead with them to repent and receive Jesus Christ. May God find us faithful in doing so.

Soli deo Gloria!

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36).

Whenever words are repeated in the Bible we should take notice. The Holy Spirit has placed them there and repeated them for particular emphasis. He does not want us to miss the principle and biblical truth He has chosen to impart and/or reveal.

Therefore, when Jesus answers the religious leaders in John 8:34 and says, “truly, truly, I say to you…” He is emphasizing that what He is about to say is indeed a “true truth” that must not be ignored or rejected. The Greek word for truly is not unfamiliar to us. It is the word ἀμήν (amen). It means a strong affirmation for what has been declared, such as a prayer. Or in the case of today’s text, it is a strong affirmation for what will be declared.

Jesus says, “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” The word “practices” is the Greek Word ποιέω (poieo) which means to perform, to do or to behave. In this text it is a present tense and active voice verb. Therefore, the word means to do continually do something.

What is that which is practiced? Jesus says “sin.” Sin (ἁμαρτία/ harmartia) means to engage in wrongdoing. It is wrong behavior or actions which violates the will or law of God. Jesus says that everyone who practices sin or continually engages in wrong behavior which violates the will or law of God is a slave to sin.

I want you to take notice of a small, seemingly insignificant word. It is the word “is.” It is a present active verb describing a person’s state of being or present condition. In this case, a person’s present condition in relation to sin. The person who continually practices sin “is” a slave to sin. The word “slave” means one who is subservient to and controlled by sin.

Dr. John MacArthur explains that, “The kind of slavery that Jesus had in mind was not physical slavery but slavery to sin (cf. Rom. 6:17–18). The idea of “commits sin” means to practice sin habitually (1 John 3:4, 8–9). The ultimate bondage is not political or economic enslavement but spiritual bondage to sin and rebellion against God. Thus, this also explains why Jesus would not let himself be reduced to merely a political Messiah (John 6:14–15).”

As one other commentator says, “The very act of committing sin reveals that the one doing the act is under the power and authority of sin. Sin is personified as a cruel master. Paul used the same illustration (Rom. 6:15–23).”

Jesus continues by saying that one’s continual obedience to and practice of sin reveal a person’s true spiritual condition. While the Jewish leaders in this context, and the nation as a whole, believed they were free sons of Abraham they really were slaves to sin. They were not genuine sons of God and were in danger of facing a Christ-less eternity without God.

Jesus, on the other hand, is the true Son of God who sets spiritual slaves free from sin so that they in turn become free children of God. The word free (ἐλευθερόω/eleuthero) means a release from an association with a person or an institution on the basis that the earlier obligation or restriction is no longer relevant or in force. It also means liberty from the dominion of sin. It is those who Christ’s frees from spiritual bondage who are truly free.

Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

The conclusion Jesus gives is, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” This is one of the many cause and effect statements contained in the Gospel of John. If one truth is true, then it stands to reason that another truth will be equally true because of the preceding truth of which it is connected.

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Jesus is the true Son and seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16). He remains in the house and is over it (Heb. 3:6). People can become truly free by becoming sons of God by faith in Christ, the Son (Gal. 3:26).”

Are you truly free from the dominion of sin? Have you received the freedom and liberty to live a life glorifying to God which only Jesus Christ can truly give? If not, then respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, repent of your sin and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’? Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:33).

It is interesting to observe the lengths people will go to deny the reality which is right before them. Webster’s Dictionary defines denial as a refusal to admit the truth or reality of something (such as a statement or charge). It is also a refusal to acknowledge a person or a thing.

Denial is evidenced in John 8:33 on several levels. Let’s unpack this verse and see what these levels of denial are exactly.

First, we see the identity of the deniers. The word “they” refers to the Jewish religious leaders who Jesus has been talking with since John 7:14. They have steadfastly refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. This is in spite of the many evidences Jesus has given and the many people, including some the Pharisees (John 8:30-31), who have believed in Jesus.

Secondly, the religious leader’s denial extends to their own heritage. They identify themselves as Abraham’s offspring. However, those who belong to Abraham and are his offspring are those who possess true faith in the One, True God. They are ones who are circumcised of heart and not just of body (Romans 2:25-29). They are now known as Messianic Jews: followers of Jesus Christ.

Third, the religious leader’s denial extends to their political situation. The Jewish religious leaders denied they had ever been enslaved to anyone. However, biblical and secular historians confirm Israel’s enslavement by Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. Therefore, they must have been referring to spiritual bondage.

One commentator writes, “The pride of the Jewish nation, even now after centuries of humiliation, is the most striking feature of their character. “Talk of freedom to us? Pray when or to whom were we ever in bondage?” This bluster sounds almost ludicrous from such a nation. Had they forgotten their long and bitter bondage in Egypt? Their dreary captivity in Babylon? Their present bondage to the Roman yoke, and their restless eagerness to throw it off? But probably they saw that our Lord pointed to something else—freedom, perhaps, from the leaders of sects or parties—and were not willing to allow their subjection even to these. Our Lord, therefore, though He knew what slaves they were in this sense, drives the ploughshare somewhat deeper than this, to a bondage they little dreamt of.”

The fourth and final denial is the most striking. The religious leader’s denial of their need for freedom from their sin. It is a bondage Jesus immediately addresses in John 8:34 when He says, ““Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”

Dr. John MacArthur explains, “The kind of slavery that Jesus had in mind was not physical slavery but slavery to sin (cf. Rom. 6:17–18). The idea of “commits sin” means to practice sin habitually (1 John 3:4, 8–9). The ultimate bondage is not political or economic enslavement but spiritual bondage to sin and rebellion against God. Thus, this also explains why Jesus would not let himself be reduced to merely a political Messiah (John 6:14–15).”

Some people often exist in a state of denial. It may be a denial regarding failing health, one’s financial stability, substance abuse, or the political mood of the country. Some even deny that the United States has enemies. Since 2001, September 11 is a reminder that there are those who hate Americans and will do whatever it takes to destroy our representative republic.

Even greater is a denial that one is a sinner and in need of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I encourage you today to repent of your sins and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord today. May He begin to be your Master by He having set you free from the law of sin and death.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Genuine salvation and true discipleship is proven by abiding in the Word of God. It’s that simple and at the same time, that complex.

What does it mean to abide? The New Testament word for abide is μένω (meno) meaning to stay, remain and to continue. Within the context of today’s text, what those who believe in Jesus are to “abide in” is the Word of God. If we believers do this, we demonstrate that we truly are Jesus’ disciples. This then is a pivotal passage for believers to understand genuine salvation and true discipleship.

The result of abiding in the Word of God is that the true disciple of Jesus will know or understand the truth of God’s Word. We will have an understanding of reality or the way things really are. This is where abiding in the truth of God’s Word may become complex or difficult. For you see, there are truth’s contained in the Scriptures which we may not initially like or understand: election and predestination, for example. These are hard truths given to us by a holy God. He will not compromise His truth, and neither should His disciples.

When we seek to understand and receive God’s Word, that exposure to truth will bring us a liberty, or a freedom, to do what we ought to do before God and other people. This freedom is a growing and developing liberty which is not stagnant but vibrant and alive because of our relationship to Christ as Savior and Lord.

It is a freedom which prompts the husband to truly sacrificially love his wife. It is a freedom which prompts a wife to truly submit to her husband. It is a freedom which prompts a child to truly obey their parents and for parents to not frustrate their children. It is a freedom which prompts the employee, and employer, to dedicate their work to God and His glory and not for their own advancement whoever it may hurt. It is a freedom which prompts the citizen to be responsible in obeying the law, to be praying for their leaders and to be living as good neighbors within their community.

Are you truly free in Christ? May we live lives of liberty which is grounded in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Soli deo Gloria!

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him.” (John 8:28-30)

In today’s text Jesus demonstrates His omniscience, or His attribute of all-knowledge. As God, this should not surprise us. When He says, ““When you have lifted up the Son of Man,” He not only indicates how He will die, crucifixion corresponds to the phrase “when you have lifted up”, but who will be responsible for His death: the religious leaders.

Dr. R. c. Sproul writes, “This lifting up refers to the Savior’s death by crucifixion, which in John’s gospel is part of our Lord’s exaltation. On the cross, Jesus is seen for who He is, the God-man who suffered as a man for the sins of His people and to whom we owe all glory and honor.”

It will only be after the scribes, chief priests and Pharisees accomplish this God ordained act that they will ultimately realize what they have done. They will be brought to the terrifying understanding and realization that the One who they crucified is the One they should have worshiped.

For many of the religious leaders to whom Jesus spoke, they would die without Christ. However, today’s text reveals that when Jesus concluded speaking, “many believed in Him.” While a broad interpretation could mean that the “many” included all types of people, the narrow view would regard the “many” as many of the religious leaders. I tend to view the latter possibility as the most accurate to the text. One commentator writes, “Many Jews believed on Christ after his death and ascension, realizing that the One whom they rejected was truly the Messiah (Acts 2:36, 37, 41).

The application to us is that we should never give up our attempts to share the Gospel with people who have rejected our previous efforts. It is easy to become frustrated and to simply give up on those who have spurned Jesus in the past. Instead, rest in the sovereign grace of God who knows those who are His. He may use your and my efforts to bring about the salvation of souls for His glory.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

“I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.” (John 8:25-27)

As we continue to examine the dialogue in John 8 between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders of His day, the incapability of fallen people to inherently understand the Gospel is glaringly apparent. In spite of their religious status, these leaders were unable to comprehend what Jesus was saying. As we saw yesterday, it was because they did not belong to the Kingdom of God but rather the Kingdom of the Devil.

I can certainly relate to this. For you see, I was raised in a religious home. We went to church every Sunday. My parents made this a priority. They made sure my sister and I were in church, Sunday school, confirmation classes, etc. It was a part of the weekly schedule of our lives.

During my rebellious teenage years, I acquired a job at Burger King which required me to work on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I drifted away from, what had been for sixteen years, my weekly routine. My parents didn’t mind because getting a job was an understandable reason for missing church.

When a co-worker invited me to their church, for a Sunday evening service of all things, I accepted. Mind you, this was not because I was interested in spiritual things or biblical truth, but rather because I was interested in the girl.

During the service, I noticed something different about the people who were participating. I observed a true, or real conviction, to what they were singing and saying. Yet, at the same time I did not understand it. These people possessed a joy and happiness which I did not have, in spite of all my religious upbringing.

It was when, a little over 18 months later, that God converted me by His sovereign grace and I became a follower of Jesus Christ. It was only then that I “could” understand the Gospel because of the Holy Spirit’s regenerating work (John 3:1-8).

Such was the case with these who Jesus spoke to in John 8. In spite of many witnesses to Jesus’, which John records in the early chapters of his gospel, these religious leaders could not believe. They embodied the truth of John 6:35-66.

To those in your life who have yet to trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, earnestly pray for them that the Holy Spirit would regenerate their souls and they would become followers of Jesus. I am grateful for those I know, and those I don’t, who prayed for that to occur in my own life. Thank you Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”  So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” (John 8:21-24)

My wife and I recently had a conversation with some close friends. In the course of the discussion, which addressed such issues as work, politics and God’s existence, we shared the Gospel. It was not the first time we have done so with this couple. Hopefully it will not be the last time because you see, these two people do not know the Lord as their Savior. Consequently, the Bible says that if and when they die without Christ, they will die in their sins and therefore be condemned to a Christ-less eternity in Hell.

Do you ever find yourselves frustrated when you share the Gospel to the same people and they continue to reject? Do you wonder if you said something different, or if you shared the same message in a different way, that your acquaintances would be more receptive? I wonder?

In today’s passage, we witness Jesus sharing the same message of salvation in Him to the same people, the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus’ audience remained steadfast in their rejection of Him and refused to receive Him as Messiah. An undisclosed amount of time has passed between Jesus’ proclamation of Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12–20) and the dialogue between our Lord and the Pharisees contained in today’s passage.

He instructed the chief priests and the Pharisees again of His impending death, resurrection and ascension to the Father. It was the same announcement to the same people the Apostle John records Jesus proclaiming in John 7:33-34.

Once again, initially like Nicodemas (John 3) and the Woman at the Well (John 4), the religious leaders thought in literal terms. They thought Jesus was saying that He was going to kill Himself. They did not, and could not, understand what His words truly meant (I Corinthians 2:14).  That same can be said of my friends.

Why? The answer is because my friends and I, along with Jesus and the religious leaders of His day, belong to two different realms of authority. Two different kingdoms, if you will.

One kingdom Jesus said is “from below.” It is a kingdom “of this world.” Those who belong to this kingdom will “die in their sins.” The religious leaders, and my friends, belong to this kingdom.

The other kingdom is “from above.” It is a kingdom “not of this world.” Those who belong to this kingdom will be saved from the penalty, power and presence of their sins. This is the kingdom of God. It is a kingdom whose entrance is by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The contrast here is between the realm of God and that of the fallen, sinful world (i.e., “from below”). The world in this context is the invisible spiritual system of evil dominated by Satan and all that it offers in opposition to God, his word, and his people (see notes on 1:9; 1 John 5:19). Jesus declared that his opponents’ true kinship was with Satan and his realm. By this domination, they were spiritually blinded (see 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:1–3).”

Verse 24 is an especially critical one to understand. Jesus once again identifies Himself as the One, True God when He says “for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” His use of the phrase “I AM” is once again a reference to the most personal name for God. It means to be the self-existent One. (John 4:26).

Dr. MacArthur explains that, “The reference may be to both Exodus 3:14 where the Lord declared his name as “I AM” and to Isaiah 40–55 where the phrase “I am” occurs repeatedly (especially Isaiah 43:10, 13, 25; 46:4; 48:12). In this, Jesus referred to himself as the God (Yahweh—the Lord) of the OT, and directly claimed full deity for himself, prompting the Jews’ question of John 8:25.”

What is the pivotal, or crucial truth, separating these two people groups and kingdoms? It is their relationship of faith to Jesus Christ. To have faith in Christ alone as Savior and Lord is to become a citizen of the kingdom of God. Otherwise, failure to believe in Jesus as God in the flesh is to remain condemned in trespasses and sin.

Which kingdom do you belong? Remember, it is a matter of life and death. If there is even a hint of doubt as to which kingdom you are a part of, repent of your sins and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 1:12-13).

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also. These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.” (John 8:19-20).

Jesus instructed the religious leaders that His personal testimony regarding His identity was true. It was supported by three facts: Fist, Jesus knew his origin and destiny while the Jews were ignorant even of basic spiritual truths, making their judgment limited and superficial (vv. 14–15). Second, Jesus’ intimate union with the Father guaranteed the truth of the Son’s witness (v. 16). Third, the Father and Son testified together regarding the identity of the Son (vv. 17–18).

How ironic that the religious leader’s testimony of their own status with God the Father is glaringly apparent. Rather than being those who occupy the highest level of righteousness with God, they reveal their ignorance of Him and their lack of salvation from Him. When they asked Jesus, “Where is your Father?”, apparently in response to Jesus’ previous statement in John 8:16-18, they were once again thinking only on human terms (e.g., 3:4; 4:11; 6:52).

Jesus said, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” To know (οἶδα; oida) means more than just to possess information about someone. It also means to understand the one you claim to know. In other words, you don’t really know someone until you understand how they think and act. The religious leaders, in spite of their claims and religious position, did not know God and did not know Christ.

John Calvin writes that Jesus, “does not deign to give them a direct reply, but in a few words reproaches them with the ignorance in which they flatter themselves. They inquired about the Father, and yet when they had the Son before their eyes, seeing, they did not see (Matthew 13:13).”

Calvin continues by saying, “Let us know that the same thing is spoken to us all; whoever aspires to know God, and does not begin with Christ, must wander – as it were – in a labyrinth.”

John inserts a commentary that this dialogue occurred in the temple, at a part known as the treasury. This was where the sacred offerings were taken. Many people came to part of the temple. Therefore, we may infer that there was a large crowd of people in attendance. Yet no one arrested Him because it was not God the Father’s timing for this to occur.

How do we truly know that we know God? I John 2:3-6 says, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

Are you revealing your intimate knowledge of God today by how you live? Remember, people are watching.

Soli deo Gloria!