Jesus’ Identity
JESUS’ IDENTITY
JOHN 8:21-30
Jesus’ death led to resurrection and ascension, confirming the truth of his claims.
The long discourse, which follows to the end of the chapter, is connected with themes which have already been introduced. Here are discussed his origin, his destination, his parentage and his identity. The contrast is made between what he claims to be, and in fact is, and what the Jews in fact are, despite their claims.
Jesus speaks first of going away. His destination is somewhere that they cannot reach (cf. 7:33-36). Their tragedy is that death will overtake them before their sin is forgiven. The probable allusion to death is picked up by the Jews, but they suspect that he is planning suicide. Jesus goes on to point the contrast between himself and them. There are two worlds, one above and one below. His origin, unlike theirs, is from the one above. Their failure to believe in his supernatural origin is the reason why they will die in their sins. There is nothing optional about the gospel of Christ.
To a direct question about his identity, Jesus replies that he has been telling them all along if only they had been able to exercise spiritual discernment. His authority was a derived authority. As they could not understand this, Jesus went on to speak of the lifting up of the Son of Man which would authenticate his message. In all circumstances he enjoyed his Father’s presence and lived a life of perfect conformity to his will. Such claims, though baffling to many, led others in some measure to believe in him. Faith in him should result in our doing always what pleases his Father.
Notes 8:24: “I am he.” The Greek is simply “I am” (ego eimi). It is used on its own three other times in the Gospel (4:26; 8:28; 13:19). Here it seems to carry clear overtones of deity and the NEB renders “I am what I am,” giving the echo of Exodus 3:14 (cf. also Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10). 8:25: Jesus’ reply may be rendered as in the RSV margin, “Why do I talk to you at all?” This seems less likely in the context. 8:28: “lifted up” (cf. 3:14; 12:32,34). It already had a double sense in the Old Testament, where the heads of Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker were “lifted up” in exaltation and in death (Genesis 40:20ff.). Here it obviously marks an important point of transition in Christ’s relationship with the world (cf. 3:14). Later on, Christ made clear that this expression referred to his cross (12:32ff.).