John 8:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 8:12-20

The rest of the chapter is taken up with debates between Christ and contradicting sinners, who cavilled at the most gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth. It is not certain whether these disputes were the same day that the adulteress was discharged; it is probable they were, for the evangelist mentions no other day, and takes notice (John 8:2) how early Christ began that day's work. Though those Pharisees that accused the woman had absconded, yet there were other Pharisees (John 8:13)... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 8:12-20

8:12-20 So Jesus again continued to speak to them. "I am the Light of the World," he said. "He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but he will have the light of life." So the Pharisees said to him: "You are bearing witness about yourself. Your witness is not true." Jesus answered: "Even if I do bear witness about myself, my witness is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going to. You do not know where I came from and where I am going to. You form your judgments on... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 8:12-20

Jesus said: "He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The light of life means two things. The Greek can mean either the light which issues from the source of life or the light which gives life. In this passage it means both. Jesus is the very light of God come among men; and he is the light which gives men life. Just as the flower can never blossom when it never sees the sunlight, so our lives can never flower with the grace and beauty they ought to have... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 8:12-20

When Jesus made his claim to be the Light of the World the scribes and Pharisees reacted with hostility. That claim would sound even more astonishing to them than to us. To them it would sound like a claim--as indeed it was--to be the Messiah, and, even more, to do the work that only God could do. The word light was specially associated in Jewish thought and language with God. "The Lord is my light" ( Psalms 27:1 ). "The Lord will be your everlasting light" ( Isaiah 60:19 ). "By his light... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:15

Ye judge after the flesh ,.... According to their carnal affections and prejudices; taking the Messiah to be a temporal prince, and his kingdom to be of this world, they judged that Jesus could not be he; they looked upon him as a mere man, and seeing him in much outward meanness, in his human nature, they judged of him according to this outward appearance: or "ye" that are "after the flesh judge"; to which sense the Persic version agrees, "for ye are carnal"; and so judged as carnal men,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:15

Ye judge after the flesh - Because I appear in the form of man, judging from this appearance, ye think I am but a mere man - pay attention to my teaching and miracles, and ye shall then see that nothing less than infinite wisdom and unlimited power could teach and do what I have taught and performed. Our Lord speaks here exactly in the character of an ambassador. Such a person does not bring a second with him to vouch his truth; his credentials from his king ascertain his character: he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:15

Verse 15 15.You judge according to the flesh. This may be explained in two ways; either that theyjudge according to the wicked views of the flesh, or that they judge according to the appearance of the person. For the flesh sometimes denotes the outward appearance of a man; and both meanings agree well with this passage, since wherever either the feelings of the flesh prevail, or a regard to the person regulates the judgment, neither truth nor justice dwells. But I think that the meaning will be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:1-23

Excluded from the destination of Jesus. In one sense Jesus was very near to men, very closely connected with them. At the same time he was very far from them, separated in many ways. The Gospel of John abounds in indications of this felt difference and superiority. Yet there is much to help and cheer even in words like these: "Whither I go, ye cannot come." The truth of Jesus is the same, spoken to friends or to enemies, and everything Jesus said on the earth has something of gospel in it.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:13-18

The objection of the Pharisees, and the answer of our Lord. "Thou bearest testimony to thyself; thy testimony is not true." 1 . Superficially regarded, the objection was one of which Jesus himself had admitted the force. "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true" ( John 5:31 ). In that case he had spoken of himself as mere man. Now he speaks of himself in his Divine nature. 2 . But the essential characteristic of Christ ' s being was that he was, as the Light,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:13-19

(2) The refusal of the Pharisees to accept this claim on his unsupported testimony, and Christ ' s reply. read more

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