THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 8, Part 3
The Truth will Set You Free
It would be easy to read this chapter as if it were spoken to and meant for the Jews and the Pharisees in particular. But, as a reminder this chapter reveals the most profound truths of Jesus’ Mission, His Purpose, His Identity as the “son of man” and The Son of God and of our destiny as believers, both now and for all eternity.
John 8:26. I have many things to say and to judge regarding you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I say to the world.”
Verse 27. They did not realize that He was speaking to them about the Father. Verse 28. So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and I do nothing on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me. Verse 29. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” Verse 30. As He said these things, many came to believe in Him.
(Commentary Break): These words of Jesus were a riddle to some, such as “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I Am.” This phrase introduces a direct statement from Jesus, emphasizing His role as a teacher and authority. In the Gospel of John, Jesus often uses direct speech to reveal deep spiritual truths and to clarify His identity and mission. This setting is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the people in the temple courts.
The term “lifted up” is a reference to Jesus’ crucifixion. In the cultural and historical context, crucifixion was a Roman method of execution, symbolizing shame and suffering. However, Jesus uses it to signify His glorification and the fulfillment of His mission. The title “Son of Man” is a messianic term from Daniel 7:13-14, indicating both His humanity and divine authority. This phrase foreshadows the crucifixion as a pivotal event for revealing Jesus’ true identity.
“Then you will know that I am He”, points to the recognition of Jesus’ divine identity post-crucifixion. The phrase “I am He” echoes the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, suggesting Jesus’ unity with God. The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection serve as the ultimate revelation of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and confirming His teachings.
Jesus says, “I do nothing on My own”, emphasizing His complete dependence on and unity with the Father. This reflects the consistent theme in John’s Gospel of Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will. It highlights the Trinitarian relationship and the divine mission of Jesus, who acts not independently but in perfect harmony with God’s plan.
Finally, Jesus says “I speak exactly what the Father has taught Me”, which underscores the divine origin of Jesus’ teachings. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, a rabbi or teacher would often speak on their own authority or tradition. However, Jesus claims His teachings come directly from God the Father, affirming His role as the ultimate prophet and teacher. This aligns with Deuteronomy 18:18, where God promises to raise a prophet who will speak His words. Jesus’ teachings are thus presented as the ultimate revelation of God’s truth. (Green text is from Biblehub.com commentary).
Others recalled that what Jesus is saying was foretold in scriptures and came to believe. A good example for us. (End Commentary Break).
The Truth Will Set You Free
Verse 31. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; verse 32, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Verse 33. They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”
(Commentary Break): “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It is worth repeating. Jesus has said elsewhere that it is those who endure to the end who will be saved (Matthew 24:8). You will be made safe, whole, made well and you will be set free from the penalty the power and the curse of sin – which is death. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 34. Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. Verse 35. Now the slave does not remain in the house forever; the Son does remain forever. Verse 36. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. Verse 37. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you are seeking to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. Verse 38. I speak of the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” Verse 39. They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. Verse 40. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. Verse 41. You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born as a result of sexual immorality; we have one Father: God.” Verse 42. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came forth from God and am here; for I have not even come on My own, but He sent Me. Verse 43. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot listen to My word. Verse 44. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. Verse 45. But because I say the truth, you do not believe Me. Verse 46. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? Verse 47. The one who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
(Commentary Break): These verses and the ones to follow give us deep insights into the true relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. They are both amazingly and frighteningly true beyond natural comprehension. Additionally, Jesus is addressing these Pharisees, Jews, and is speaking to them through their own historical, religious practices and cultural context. Jesus tells them they are slaves to sin, and that being a slave to sin means, (1), the person has no rights or permanent residence in the ‘household’ in which they claim to reside and (2), they have no control over their destiny. Their future is separate from the spiritual family of Abraham, with a lonely eternal death. However, Jesus tells them that if He sets you free, you are not only set free from the penalty and curse of sin, but He has removed the shackles of sin and you are free to become a child of God and a brother of Jesus, with full rights as a joint heir. But these Pharisees who claim descendancy of Abraham, fail to recognize that birth descendancy is insufficient to claim a permanent relationship with God; and secondly, they ignorantly and defiantly wish to kill Jesus, Who comes from the Father as the prophesied Messiah. If they were truly of Abraham then they would know He is Who He claims to be. But they do not know and cannot know because His words has not place in Him, and their true spiritual father is not Abraham, but is the devil. This should be a clear and stark warning to all of us, who presently claim the name of Christ, yet do not what He says. According to Hebrews 6:4-6, “It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.” (End Commentary Break).
Verse 48. The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not rightly say that You are a Samaritan, and You have a demon?” Verse 49. Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; on the contrary, I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. Verse 50. But I am not seeking My glory; there is One who seeks it, and judges. Verse 51. Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone follows My word, he will never see death.” Verse 52. The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets as well; and yet You say, ‘If anyone follows My word, he will never taste of death.’ Verse 53. You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died, are You? The prophets died too. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Verse 54. Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; verse 55, and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him. And if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you; but I do know Him, and I follow His word. Verse 56. Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see My day, and he saw it and rejoiced.” Verse 57. So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?” Verse 58. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Verse 59. Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and left the temple grounds. (End Chapter 8, part 3).
(Commentary Break): What we read and hear in verses 48 through 59 is a clear contrast between an earthly or natural physical perspective and understanding versus a heavenly and a Spiritual perspective view which gives wisdom. The former is of the flesh which leads to death, and the latter is of the Spirit which leads to life. (End Commentary Break).
Romans 8:5-9 tells us that “For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” From the Greek language, to ‘set their mind on’ translates to mean to ‘frame up, to enter into and become captive to or imprisoned by one’s own continual thoughts’. If it is of the flesh, then it a death camp, a prison holding cell, where one is held until their sentence of death is executed. However if it is of the Spirit, it is a waiting room, so-to-speak, for heaven – which leads to life and peace.
This message from Jesus was not intended solely for the Pharisees of His day, but for anyone and everyone of a ‘Pharisaical spirit’ of all the ages.
(The adjective pharisaical literally means “similar to the Pharisees.” In common usage, though, the word pharisaical is employed to describe someone who is hypocritical and-or self-righteous, traits that the Pharisees in the New Testament were known for. The Pharisees elevated their own traditions to the level of Scripture. While not denying the value of some traditions, we should make sure we hold to our traditions lightly while we have an iron grip on God’s Word. The Pharisees pretended to be passionate for God while their hearts were far from Him. We should strive to obey the law of Christ and urge others to do the same, declaring God’s truth with compassionate love (Ephesians 4:15)).
Let’s set our minds on the Spirit and be set free!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 8, Part 2, Jesus is the Light of The World.
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