John 8:20

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 8:20

These words spake Jesus in the treasury ,.... The place where the thirteen chests stood, into which the people put their voluntary contributions for the sacrifices, and service of the temple: the Ethiopic version renders it, "at the alms chest"; See Gill on Mark 12:41 . The design of this observation of the evangelist, is to suggest to us, that it was in a very public place, in the temple, openiy, that Christ delivered the above words: as he taught in the temple ; where the Jews... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:20

The treasury - Lightfoot observes, from the rabbins, that the treasury was in what was called the court of the women - that there were thirteen chests in it; in the thirteenth only the women were permitted to put their offerings. Probably the other twelve were placed there in reference to the twelve tribes; each perhaps inscribed with the name of one of Jacob's twelve sons. It seems that our Lord sometimes sat in this court to teach the people. See Mark 12:41 , etc. His hour was not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 8:20

Verse 20 20.These words spoke Jesus in the treasury. The treasury was a part of the temple where the sacred offerings were laid up. It was a much frequented place, and hence we infer that this sermon was delivered by Christ amidst a large assembly of men, so that the people had less excuse. The Evangelist likewise holds out to us the astonishing power of God in this respect, that they were constrained to endure Christ openly teaching in the temple, though but lately they sought to seize him,... 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 8:19-20

The scornful rejoinder of the Pharisees. "Where is thy Father?" I. THE APPEAL TO AN UNSEEN AND ABSENT WITNESS DOES NOT SATISFY THE ENEMIES OF JESUS . They ask not, "Who is thy Father?" but "Where is thy Father?" that he may be produced before us as a witness to thy claims. II. OUR LORD 'S ANSWER . "Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also." 1 . Their ignorance of Christ ' s Divine nature was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 8:20

These words —an expression which emphasized the foregoing interview, and shut it off from the following context— spake he ( Jesus £ ) in the treasury, as he taught in the temple courts . The γαζοφυλακίον ( Mark 12:41 ; Luke 20:1 ) may be the chamber in which the thirteen chests, with trumpet like orifices for the reception of alms, were erected. If so, it was in the "court of the women," or the place of public assembly most abundantly frequented by the multitude, and beyond... read more

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