John 8:23

"The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”"

Key Reflection

The Jews present at Jesus' words would likely have been deeply troubled by his statement that they could not follow where he was going. The phrase "kill himself" stems from a misunderstanding of Jesus’ divine mission and His reference to ascending to the Father, which His audience misinterpreted as suicidal behavior due to their limited understanding of spiritual realities. This verse highlights the gap between Jesus' divine wisdom and the earthly prejudices and limitations of those around Him.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 23. Ye are from bequeath. The expression from beneath, here, is opposed to the phrase from above. It means, You are of the earth, or are influenced by earthly, sensual, and corrupt passions. You are governed by the-lowest and vilest views and feelings, such as are opposed to heaven, and such as have their origin in earth or in hell. I am from above. From heaven. My views are heavenly, and my words should have been so interpreted. Ye are of this world. You think and act like the corrupt men of this world. I am not of this world. My views are above these earthly and corrupt notions.

More from John 8

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