Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12-20)

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John 8:12-20 is a significant passage in the New Testament. In this section, Jesus speaks about the imporantce that people should follow him.

Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world" (ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου [egō eimi to phōs tou kosmou]). This statement is profound, asserting that Jesus is the source of spiritual enlightenment and truth, guiding people away from darkness (symbolizing ignorance and sin).

The Pharisees challenge Jesus, saying that his testimony is not valid because he speaks on his own behalf. Jesus responds that even though he testifies about himself, his testimony is valid because he knows where he came from and where he is going. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for judging by human standards. He mentions that in their Law, the testimony of two witnesses is true. He offers himself and the Father who sent him as the two witnesses, thus fulfilling the requirement of the Law.

The Pharisees inquire about his Father, not understanding that he speaks of God. Jesus tells them that if they knew him, they would also know his Father. This indicates their lack of understanding of Jesus' divine nature and mission.

The passage brings up a few key topics. Jesus’ declaration as the light of the world is a direct claim of his divine identity and mission. It reflects the theme of light versus darkness prevalent in John's Gospel, symbolizing truth, life, and guidance in contrast to falsehood, death, and misguidance.

The passage emphasizes the validity and authority of Jesus’ testimony about himself. It challenges the conventional Jewish legal requirements by presenting Jesus and the Father as two witnesses, affirming His divine authority.

The interaction in the passage highlights the unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father, a central theme in Christian theology. It underscores the concept of the Trinity, where Jesus is understood as being one with the Father, yet distinct.

In summary, John 8:12-20 is a pivotal passage that underscores Jesus' divine identity, his authority to testify about himself, and his role as the bringer of spiritual light and truth, while also highlighting the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders of the time. The passage is significant for its declaration that faith in Jesus is the path to true spiritual enlightenment and salvation. It invites believers to follow Jesus to avoid spiritual darkness.

Vocabulary

Word Meaning
Ἰησοῦς, οῦ, ὁ Jésus, Josué
δέ cependant, mais
πορεύομαι aller, avancer
εἰς vers; dans (avec A)
ὁ, ἡ, τό le, la, les
ὄρος, ους, τό montagne
3M9TuDCypIlbd8eRqthJ6aYiHnQZ0FGgsBof2047 ἐλαία, ας, ἡ olive
ὄρθρος, ου, ὁ aube
πάλιν de nouveau; en arrière
παραγίνομαι venir, arriver

Biblical text

8:12Πάλιν οὖν αὐτοῖς ἐλάλησεν Ἰησοῦς λέγων Ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου· ἀκολουθῶν μοι οὐ μὴ περιπατήσῃ ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ, ἀλλ’ ἕξει τὸ φῶς τῆς ζωῆς.13εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι Σὺ περὶ σεαυτοῦ μαρτυρεῖς· μαρτυρία σου οὐκ ἔστιν ἀληθής.14ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Κἂν ἐγὼ μαρτυρῶ περὶ ἐμαυτοῦ, ἀληθής ἐστιν μαρτυρία μου, ὅτι οἶδα πόθεν ἦλθον καὶ ποῦ ὑπάγω· ὑμεῖς δὲ οὐκ οἴδατε πόθεν ἔρχομαι ποῦ ὑπάγω.15ὑμεῖς κατὰ τὴν σάρκα κρίνετε, ἐγὼ οὐ κρίνω οὐδένα.16καὶ ἐὰν κρίνω δὲ ἐγώ, κρίσις ἐμὴ ἀληθινή ἐστιν, ὅτι μόνος οὐκ εἰμί, ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ καὶ πέμψας με.17καὶ ἐν τῷ νόμῳ δὲ τῷ ὑμετέρῳ γέγραπται ὅτι δύο ἀνθρώπων μαρτυρία ἀληθής ἐστιν.18ἐγώ εἰμι μαρτυρῶν περὶ ἐμαυτοῦ, καὶ μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ πέμψας με Πατήρ.19ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ Ποῦ ἐστιν Πατήρ σου; ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς Οὔτε ἐμὲ οἴδατε οὔτε τὸν Πατέρα μου· εἰ ἐμὲ ᾔδειτε, καὶ τὸν Πατέρα μου ἂν ᾔδειτε.20Ταῦτα τὰ ῥήματα ἐλάλησεν ἐν τῷ γαζοφυλακίῳ διδάσκων ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐπίασεν αὐτόν, ὅτι οὔπω ἐληλύθει ὥρα αὐτοῦ.