ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for John 8

John 8:12 I am. See note on 6:35. Jesus is the light of the world (see 1:4–5; 3:19–21; 12:35–36; 46). Jesus fulfills OT promises of the “light” of salvation (e.g., Isa. 9:2; 42:6; 49:6; John 9:5; Acts 26:18, 23; Eph. 5:8–14; 1 John 1:5–7).

John 8:13–14 The Pharisees continue the dispute from 5:31–47 (see notes).

John 8:15 according to the flesh. According to the natural understanding and human standards of this world. “I judge no one.” During his earthly ministry, Jesus was primarily a Savior, not a judge (see 3:17; 12:47). In the future he will judge the world (see 5:22; 27; 29; 12:48).

John 8:20 The treasury likely was next to the Court of the Women (compare Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4). The Greek term may indicate either a collection box for the treasury or the treasury structure itself.

John 8:21 Where I am going. Heaven, in the presence of the Father.

John 8:23 From below means belonging to this natural world; from above means from God the Father. It also means following God’s will and speaking his truth.

John 8:24 I am he may simply mean “I am the Messiah.” However, John often uses words with a double meaning (see notes on 3:14; 4:10; 19:19) and this verse is one of several that hint at a connection with God’s statement to Moses in Ex. 3:14, “I am who I am.” See notes on John 6:20; 8:58.

John 8:28 lifted up. The second of three “lifted up” sayings in John (see also 3:14; 12:32). All three have a double meaning (see notes on 4:10; 8:24; 19:19), referring to both Jesus’ death and his resurrection and exaltation.

John 8:31 To abide in Jesus’ word means to continue believing what Jesus has said and to continue obeying him (see note on 15:4; also 6:56; 1 John 3:6).

John 8:32 There is only one way to know the truth. That is by continuing to believe and obey Jesus’ word (v. 31). set you free. From the guilt and enslaving power of sin (see note on v. 34).

John 8:34 Being a slave to sin means being unable to escape from sinful patterns of conduct without Jesus’ help (see v. 36; see also notes on Rom. 6:16; 1 Cor. 7:21).

John 8:36 Sets you free from both the guilt and the life-controlling power of sin.

John 8:37 my word finds no place in you. Because of the spiritual condition of their hearts.

John 8:39–40 They were physically descended from Abraham (v. 37), but they are not truly Abraham’s children, for their behavior contradicts that claim. Abraham’s true children are only those who believe in Jesus (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 2:28–29; 9:6–8).

John 8:43 you cannot bear. Or, “you are not able.” to hear my word. “Hear” means “hear and accept.”

John 8:44 The devil was a murderer from the beginning. The devil motivated Cain to kill Abel. He is the father of lies, since he contradicted God’s word (Gen. 3:3–4; see Gen. 2:17).

John 8:47 You do not hear in the sense of hearing, believing, and following.

John 8:48 Samaritan. See note on 4:4.

John 8:56 Abraham rejoiced that he would see the day of Christ. He saw it and was glad. Jesus possibly refers to a consistent pattern of joyful faith in Abraham’s life, rather than one specific event.

John 8:58 Jesus claims to have been alive before Abraham was. He does not mean that he is more than 2,000 years old. Rather, he uses the pres­ent tense I am in speaking of existence more than 2,000 years earlier. Thus he claims an existence apart from time that is true only of God. For “I am,” see note on 6:20.

John 8:59 picked up stones. See note on Acts 7:58. Stoning was the punishment for blasphemy (Lev. 24:16; John 10:31–33). However, it was supposed to be imposed only after careful judgment, not amid mob violence (Deut. 17:2–7).