+++
title = "John 8:12–20"
date = "2026-05-08"
+++

### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John8.12-20)

I have the feeling that Jesus was going to continue the lesson that began with "I am the light of the world." (_v. 12_)
While the symbolism of light and darkness is pretty standard across cultures and times, it still seems like there was more explanation coming.
Or I have just been extra-tired this week and struggled with basic concepts.

While it makes perfect sense for Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Word of God come down to us from eternal glory, to make a claim like "follow me in order to have the light of life," the skeptical Pharisses' reaction is also completely understandable.
Hearing a mere human, even a gifted and knowledgable teacher, make claims like this require more than just their say-so.
The context for this conversation is still the Feast of Booths, commemorating Israel's journey through the wilderness between Egypt and Canaan.
Just as the water-drawing ceremony pointed back to the water that God provided from the rock, candles were also lit during the feast days to refer to the blessing of the pillar of flame that led the people by night, providing light and heat in the desert.
For Jesus to say "I am the light" not just of Israel but of the whole world, and then to say, "Follow me," is really close to Him saying, "I am like God who led our ancestors out of Egypt."

According to the Law of Moses, legal testimony isn't valid unless at least two people corroborate it.
The Pharisees are therefore saying Jesus is making up claims about Himself because no one else can say this about Him too.
Jesus corrects their technical-legal usage of "true" by saying His testimony is true in the basic, literal sense even if no one else says so.
On top of that, He also declares that God the Father says the same things about Him because He sent Him.
The Pharisees don't recognize this because they do not have a relationship with God as they should, or they would know the truth of Jesus's words.

* * *

Illuminate our hearts so we can know the truth and behold Your glory.