John 8:12-30 – If Ye Had Known Me, Ye Should Have Known My Father Also

Read John 8:12-30

1) In John Chapter 5, Jesus tells the Jews to “Search the scriptures . . . they are they which testify of me.” He then proceeds to identify himself with several incidents in Israel’s history. Look up the following scriptures and explain how the Old Testament reference would help us to understand who Jesus is. (See also Nehemiah 9:12, 15, 19)

a) Exodus 16:4-31, John 6:31-33:

b) Numbers 20:2-13, John 7:37-38:

c) Exodus 13:21-22, 14:19-20, John 8:12:

2) According to verse 12, who is the person who does not walk in darkness? What else has John already said about “the light” in his Gospel? (John 1:4-9, 3:19-21)

3) Look up 1 John 1:5-7 and 2:9-11. What distinguishes the person who walks in the light versus the one who walks in darkness?

4) Based on several passages in Isaiah (42:6-7, 43:10,12, 44:8, 49:1-7, 60:1-3ff), Jewish people even today will state that it is the Jewish people who are to be a “light to the Gentiles.” Paul seems to confirm that self-understanding in Romans 2:19. With this in mind, give your assessment of the following passages of scripture:

a) Luke 4:16-30:

b) Acts 10:44-48:

c) Acts 13:40-52:

d) Acts 22:1-24:

e) Acts 28:16-29:

5) How will Jesus’ statement that he is the light of the world ultimately be fulfilled? (Isaiah 60:19-22, Revelation 21:23-24)

6) Rather that address Jesus’ claim to be the light, what did the Pharisees choose to focus on?

7) What qualifies someone to be a witness in a legal sense? How does this relate to Jesus’ statement in 8:14? Who else would be qualified to testify regarding the things Jesus gives testimony of? (See John 1:18, 3:11-13, 3:31-34, 6:46, 7:28-29) Why is Jesus alone qualified to testify of these things? (See verse 23)

8 ) Read Jesus’ last earthly words to his disciples in Acts 1:8. What must we have before we can be witnesses to Jesus?

9) In Chapter 5, Jesus stated that the Father had committed all judgment to the Son. Here he says he judges no man. Compare this statement with John 12:46-50. When and on what basis will men be judged?

10) Jesus refers to two witnesses of his identity in this passage. Examine 1 John 5:6-8. Who are the witnesses to Jesus’ identity? Why does Jesus only refer to he and the Father in verse 18? (See John 7:39. 15:26-27)

11) Recall that there are at least two theories about Jesus’ parentage (John 6:42 and 8:41). What is the motive behind the Pharisees’ question regarding where Jesus’ father is?

12) What is the relationship between knowing Jesus and knowing the Father that Jesus stresses in this passage? Why are the teachers and rulers of the nation unaware of this relationship? (See 5:37-38)

13) It would be easy enough to assume that Jesus is on the defensive with them in this passage. What information does John give us to suggest otherwise (see verse 20 and diagram of the temple below also)? Who is in control of the situation?

14) What leads the Pharisees to jump to the conclusion that they do in verse 22? How does Jesus counter this in verses 23-24?

15) Compare verse 24 with John 8:28, and 8:58. What do the Pharisees not understand in this verse that they understand only too well by the end of the chapter?

16) Who has Jesus been telling them that he is? (See particularly John 3:13 with Daniel 7:13-14) How is it that they still lack understanding in verse 27?

17) What must they (and we) believe in order not to die in their sins? Why is this absolutely critical to salvation?

18) What happened at Jesus’ crucifixion that lends weight to his statement to the Pharisees in verse 28? (See Luke 23:44-48) In verse 21, Jesus said that the Pharisees would seek him but would die in their sins. What is the state of emotion of the people in Luke 23:48?

19) The Pharisees thought to extinguish The Light rather than allow the light to expose their sin. According to Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:14-16, we are the light of the world, as well. What can we learn from this passage about being lights in a dark world?

20) How does Paul say that we should live as lights in the world in Philippians 2:12-16?