Jesus the Light and His Claim
John 8:12-30
John.8.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Παλιν: ADV
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ελαλησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγων·Εγω: PARTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,m+PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- φως: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου·ο: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ακολουθων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- ου: PART,neg
- μη: PART
- περιπατηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- σκοτια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αλλ᾽εξει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- φως: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- John 1:4-9 (verbal): Speaks of 'life' as 'the light of men' and the 'true light' shining in darkness, echoing John's light-life terminology and motif.
- John 9:5 (verbal): Jesus again declares 'I am the light of the world,' a direct repetition of the Johannine self-identification and its ethical consequence.
- Isaiah 42:6 (allusion): The Servant is called a 'light for the nations,' an Old Testament source for the Messianic mission of bringing light to people.
- Isaiah 9:2 (thematic): ‘Those who walked in darkness have seen a great light’—uses darkness/light imagery to describe salvation, paralleling Jesus' promise about following him.
- Psalm 27:1 (thematic): ‘The LORD is my light and my salvation’—the motif of God (and here Jesus) as light and savior resonates with the promise of life and deliverance in John 8:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- Again Jesus spoke to them, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'
- Again Jesus spoke to them, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.'
John.8.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι·Συ: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- περι: PREP
- σεαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- μαρτυρεις·η: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μαρτυρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αληθης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- John 5:31 (verbal): Jesus earlier addresses the same objection — that testimony by one person about himself is not valid — and begins to set out other witnesses to validate his witness.
- John 8:14 (structural): Immediate response to the Pharisees' charge in v.13; Jesus insists that even if he testifies about himself his testimony is true, defending the validity of his witness.
- John 8:17 (allusion): Jesus appeals to 'your law' about testimony, claiming that the law itself supports the requirement for multiple witnesses — a theme used to counter the Pharisees' objection.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (quotation): The OT legal principle that 'a matter is established by the testimony of two or three witnesses' underlies the Pharisees' objection and Jesus' subsequent defense of witnesses.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Pharisees therefore said to him, 'You testify about yourself; your testimony is not true.'
- The Pharisees said to him, 'You bear witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.'
John.8.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Καν: PRON,dat,pl,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- μαρτυρω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- περι: PREP
- εμαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m,1
- αληθης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μαρτυρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- οτι: CONJ
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- ποθεν: ADV
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- που: ADV
- υπαγω·υμεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- ποθεν: ADV
- ερχομαι: VERB,pres,mid/dep,ind,1,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- που: ADV
- υπαγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- John 5:31 (verbal): Direct verbal contrast on self‑testimony — in 5:31 Jesus says testimony about himself would not be valid, which contrasts with 8:14’s claim that his self‑testimony is true because he knows his origin and destiny.
- John 8:18 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same discourse: Jesus affirms he bears witness about himself and adds that the Father who sent him also bears witness (supports the claim in 8:14).
- John 8:23 (thematic): Both verses stress Jesus’ heavenly origin and others’ earthly status: 8:23 explicitly contrasts 'you are from below; I am from above,' echoing 8:14’s claim about knowing where he came from and is going.
- John 3:13 (thematic): Speaks of Jesus’ unique descent from and (implied) return to heaven — connects to 8:14’s assertion that he knows whence he came and whither he goes.
- John 13:3 (verbal): Uses very similar language — Jesus ‘knew that he had come from God and was going to God,’ directly paralleling 8:14’s claim about knowledge of origin and destiny.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus answered, 'Even if I bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.'
- Jesus answered, 'Even if I bear witness about myself, my witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.'
John.8.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- κατα: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σαρκα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κρινετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ου: PART,neg
- κρινω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ουδενα: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 8:16 (verbal): Immediate contextual continuation — Jesus qualifies the statement by asserting that if he does judge, his judgment is true and based on divine witness.
- John 12:47 (thematic): Jesus declares his mission is not to condemn but to save, echoing the claim here that he does not judge people in the worldly sense.
- John 5:22-30 (thematic): Passage develops the theme of Jesus and judgment: he has been given authority to judge by the Father and will judge rightly — a contrast and complement to his refusal to judge 'according to the flesh.'
- Matthew 7:1-2 (thematic): Jesus' broader teaching against hypocritical human judgment parallels the critique of judging 'according to the flesh' and the call to avoid unjust condemnation.
- Romans 14:4 (thematic): Paul's admonition 'Who are you to judge another?' parallels the New Testament concern over human judgment and the reminder that ultimate judgment belongs to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.'
- You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
John.8.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- κρινω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- κρισις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εμη: PRON,poss,nom,sg,f
- αληθινη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- μονος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αλλ᾽εγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πεμψας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- John 5:30 (thematic): Jesus emphasizes that he does not act independently in judgment—he is dependent on the Father’s will, paralleling 8:16’s claim that his judgment is true because he is not alone but with the Father.
- John 5:31-32 (verbal): Discusses the necessity of another witness and states that the Father bears witness to Jesus—closely parallels 8:16’s claim that the Father who sent him validates his judgment.
- John 8:18 (verbal): Immediate Johannine parallel: Jesus says he bears witness of himself and that the Father who sent him also bears witness—this verse directly echoes and clarifies 8:16.
- John 14:10 (thematic): Jesus insists his words and works are not from himself but from the Father who dwells in him, reinforcing 8:16’s theme that his judgment/authority is grounded in union with the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, because I am not alone; I and the Father who sent me are one witness.'
- Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone— I and the Father who sent me.
John.8.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- υμετερω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μαρτυρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αληθης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (quotation): Direct Old Testament law Jesus alludes to: ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall the matter be established,’ the precise legal principle he invokes in John 8:17.
- Deuteronomy 17:6 (thematic): A closely related legal formulation in the Pentateuch about capital cases—‘on the evidence of two or three witnesses’—providing the broader Mosaic background for Jesus’ appeal to the law.
- Matthew 18:16 (verbal): Jesus elsewhere applies the same rule (‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses’) to matters of church discipline, echoing the same legal tradition cited in John 8:17.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites the same judicial principle (‘in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established’) to validate apostolic testing, showing early Christian use of the same canon John mentions.
- John 5:31–34 (structural): Close Johannine parallel within the same Gospel: Jesus discusses the insufficiency of self-testimony and the need for other witnesses (the Father and John the Baptist), preparing the argument in 8:17 about testimony and the law.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'In your law it is written that the testimony of two people is valid.'
- In your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true.
John.8.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μαρτυρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- περι: PREP
- εμαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m,1
- και: CONJ
- μαρτυρει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- περι: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πεμψας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- John 5:31-37 (verbal): Jesus discusses testimony about himself and then points to the Father (and other witnesses) who bears witness to him, using very similar language about divine witness.
- John 8:16 (verbal): Immediate context in the same chapter: Jesus contrasts his judgment with the Father's and states 'I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me,' a close verbal parallel to 8:18.
- John 3:32-34 (thematic): Speaks of one who 'testifies to what he has seen and heard' and of God sending and bearing witness to the Son—echoing the theme of heavenly testimony to Jesus' identity.
- 1 John 5:9-10 (thematic): Reflects the Johannine theme of God's testimony versus human testimony and the believer's reception of that testimony about the Son.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (allusion): Old Testament rule that 'a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses' provides a background for Jesus' claim to have the Father's corroborating witness.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'I am one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.'
- I am the one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.
John.8.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτω·Που: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους·Ουτε: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εμε: PRON,acc,sg,1
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- ουτε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μου·ει: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εμε: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ηδειτε: VERB,impf,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- αν: PART
- ηδειτε: VERB,impf,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- John 14:7 (verbal): Near-verbatim repetition: 'If you had known me, you would have known my Father also,' here expanded with 'and have seen him.' Continuation of the same argument about knowing Jesus and knowing the Father.
- Matthew 11:27 (thematic): Similar theme of exclusive mutual knowledge and revelation: 'No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son...'; emphasizes revelation of the Father through the Son.
- John 1:18 (allusion): States that the unique Son has made the Father known—parallels John 8:19's claim that knowledge of the Father is mediated through knowledge of the Son.
- John 14:9 (thematic): Jesus' claim 'Whoever has seen me has seen the Father' reinforces the same point: knowing/seeing Jesus is knowing/seeing the Father.
- John 10:30 (structural): Proclaims unity between Son and Father ('I and the Father are one'), providing the theological basis for the statement that knowing the Son is knowing the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to him, 'Where is your Father?' Jesus answered, 'You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.'
- They said to him, 'Where is your Father?' Jesus answered, 'You neither know me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.'
John.8.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ελαλησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- γαζοφυλακιω: NOUN,dat,sg,neut
- διδασκων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιερω·και: NOUN,dat,sg,neut
- ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- επιασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ουπω: ADV
- εληλυθει: VERB,perf,mid,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- John 2:4 (verbal): Uses the same motif of Jesus’ 'hour' not yet coming—Jesus delays the decisive hour (ὥρα) in both contexts.
- John 7:30 (verbal): Nearly identical observation: opponents sought to seize Jesus but 'no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come'—same phrasing and theological point.
- Mark 12:41-44 (structural): Same temple/treasury setting (Jesus near the gazophylakion) — Mark records Jesus teaching/observing by the treasury, linking location to public instruction and interactions.
- John 17:1 (thematic): Later Johannine reversal: here Jesus prays 'the hour has come'—contrasts John 8:20’s statement that his hour had not yet come with the later fulfillment of that hour.
Alternative generated candidates
- These things he said in the treasury, while he taught in the temple; no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
- These words he spoke in the treasury, teaching in the temple; and no one arrested him, for his hour had not yet come.
John.8.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- αυτοις·Εγω: PRON,dat,pl,m;PRON,nom,sg,m
- υπαγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ζητησετε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αμαρτια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- αποθανεισθε·οπου: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,pl+ADV
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- υπαγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- John 7:34 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel earlier in the same Gospel: 'You will seek me and will not find me; and where I am you cannot come,' repeating the claim that his destination is inaccessible to his hearers.
- John 13:36 (verbal): Peter is told, 'Where I go you cannot follow me now; you will follow later,' a closely worded parallel that highlights a temporary inability to accompany Jesus to his destination.
- John 16:5 (thematic): Jesus again speaks of departing ('now I am going to him who sent me') and the disciples' failure to ask where, connecting the theme of his necessary leaving with the disciples' lack of understanding or seeking.
- John 14:2-3 (thematic): Promised contrast: Jesus says he goes to prepare a place and will return to take believers so that 'where I am you may be also'—this contrasts John 8:21's warning that certain hearers cannot come where he goes.
- Acts 1:9-11 (allusion): The Ascension narrative (Jesus taken up into heaven) is an event fulfillment/allusion to Jesus' statement about going to a place his hearers cannot now reach; angels also point ahead to his return, echoing the tension of presence/absence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Again he said to them, 'I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.'
- Again he said to them, 'I go away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.'
John.8.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοι·Μητι: NOUN,nom,pl,m + PART,interr
- αποκτενει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- οτι: CONJ
- λεγει·Οπου: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg + ADV,rel
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- υπαγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- John 7:34-36 (verbal): Contains the same saying of Jesus—'You will seek me and you will not find me; where I am you cannot come'—and shows the Jews' similar misunderstanding in the earlier context.
- John 13:33 (quotation): Jesus repeats to his disciples, 'Where I am going you cannot come now,' explicitly echoing the language of 8:22 and linking it to his imminent departure.
- John 14:3 (thematic): Jesus promises to return and take the disciples to be where he is; thematically related by addressing destination and the disciples' future ability (or inability) to follow him.
- John 10:17-18 (thematic): Jesus explains that he lays down his life voluntarily and takes it up again—clarifies the true nature of his 'going' and death against the Jews' speculation that he would kill himself.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the Jews said, 'Will he kill himself, because he says, "Where I go you cannot come"?'
- So the Jews said, 'Will he kill himself, since he says that where he goes you cannot come?'
John.8.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Υμεις: PRON,dat,pl,m + PRON,nom,pl,2
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- κατω: ADV
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανω: ADV
- ειμι·υμεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εκ: PREP
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- John 3:31 (verbal): Uses the same contrast of origin — 'he who comes from above' vs. 'from below' — echoing Jesus' claim that his origin is 'from above' while others are 'from below/worldly.'
- John 6:38 (allusion): Jesus' statement that he 'came down from heaven' supports the Johannine theme of Jesus' heavenly origin, paralleling the claim 'I am from above.'
- John 8:42 (verbal): Earlier in the same dialogue Jesus affirms his divine origin ('I proceeded forth and came from God'), directly reinforcing the contrast between his heavenly origin and the world's.
- John 17:14-16 (thematic): In Jesus' high-priestly prayer he distinguishes his followers from the world ('they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world'), echoing the same separation asserted in 8:23.
- 1 John 4:5-6 (thematic): Contrasts those 'of the world' with those 'of God' who hear God's words, reflecting the Johannine theme in 8:23 that some belong to the worldly realm while Jesus (and his true followers) belong to a different, divine origin.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.'
- Jesus said to them, 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.'
John.8.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- αποθανεισθε: VERB,fut,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- αμαρτιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υμων·εαν: PRON,gen,pl,2+PART,cond
- γαρ: PART
- μη: PART
- πιστευσητε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αποθανεισθε: VERB,fut,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- αμαρτιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- John 8:21 (verbal): Same discourse and repeated declaration that Jesus told them they would ‘die in your sins’—immediate verbal parallel within the same unit.
- John 8:58 (allusion): Jesus’ use of ‘I am’ (ἐγώ εἰμι) in 8:24 (‘that I am’) echoes the absolute divine self-identification in 8:58, linking belief in his identity to the life/death consequence.
- John 3:18 (thematic): Both verses stress the existential consequence of unbelief—those who do not believe in Jesus are condemned/‘die in their sins’ (John 3:18: lack of belief brings condemnation).
- John 11:25–26 (thematic): Contrasting yet related promise: Jesus as giver of life—those who believe in him will live; 8:24 warns unbelief leads to death in sin, while 11:25–26 affirms belief brings life.
- Luke 13:3 (thematic): A parallel warning formula: ‘unless you repent you will perish’—Luke frames the consequence of unrepentance/unbelief in terms of perishing, comparable to ‘die in your sins.’
Alternative generated candidates
- 'I told you that you would die in your sins; unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.'
- 'I told you that you would die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.'
John.8.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτω·Συ: PRON,dat,sg,m + PRON,nom,sg,2
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Την: NOUN,nom,sg,m / ART,acc,sg,f
- αρχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- λαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- John 1:19-23 (verbal): Priests and Levites ask John the Baptist 'Who are you?' (same question) and receive an identity-centered reply; parallels the dialogic motif of asking for Jesus' identity.
- John 8:24 (verbal): Immediately related in the same discourse: Jesus insists people must believe 'that I am he'—the claim to identity that underlies his response in 8:25.
- John 18:4-6 (verbal): When soldiers ask whom they seek, Jesus replies 'I am he' (ἐγώ εἰμι), a direct self-identifying formula that echoes the identity theme of 8:25.
- Mark 8:27-30 (thematic): Jesus asks his disciples 'Who do you say that I am?' and receives Peter's confession—another passage centered on the question of Jesus' identity and how people respond.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to him, 'Who are you?' Jesus said to them, 'What I have been saying to you from the beginning.'
- They said to him, 'Who are you?' Jesus said to them, 'Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.'
John.8.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- περι: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- λαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- κρινειν·αλλ᾽ο: VERB,pres,act,inf
- πεμψας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- αληθης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- παρ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- λαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κοσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 7:16-17 (verbal): Jesus insists his teaching is not his own but comes from the one who sent him, echoing the claim in John 8:26 that he speaks what he has heard from the Sender.
- John 12:49-50 (verbal): Jesus states explicitly that he does not speak on his own authority but declares what the Father commanded and what he has heard—closely paralleling 'what I heard from him I tell the world.'
- John 3:34 (thematic): Affirms that the one God has sent utters God’s words and receives the Spirit without limit, thematically supporting John 8:26’s claim that Jesus speaks the Sender’s true message.
- Deuteronomy 18:18 (allusion): God’s promise to put his words in a prophet’s mouth (and send him to the people) provides an Old Testament background for Jesus’ role as the sent one who speaks God’s words to the world.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'I have many things to say about you and to judge; but he who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell to the world.'
- 'I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but he who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world.'
John.8.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγνωσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- John 8:19 (structural): Immediate context: Jesus and his interlocutors misunderstand one another about the Father—here Jesus says they neither know him nor the Father, paralleling 8:27's remark that they did not realize he was speaking of the Father.
- John 1:10-11 (thematic): Theme of failure to recognize Jesus: though he was in the world, the world (and his own people) did not know or receive him, echoing the lack of recognition in 8:27.
- John 1:18 (thematic): Jesus as the one who reveals the Father: no one has seen God, but the Son 'has made him known'—this contrasts with and explains why listeners in 8:27 fail to perceive Jesus' reference to the Father.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (quotation): Prophetic motif of people hearing but not understanding and seeing but not perceiving; this passage is used in the NT to explain hardened hearing and failure to recognize divine revelation, paralleling the inability in 8:27.
- Matthew 13:13 (allusion): Jesus explains why his audience does not understand by quoting Isaiah (see Isaiah 6:9-10): 'they hear but do not understand,' a direct thematic parallel to the statement in 8:27 that they did not know he was speaking of the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father.
- They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father.
John.8.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Οταν: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υψωσητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τοτε: ADV
- γνωσεσθε: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- απ᾽εμαυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- καθως: CONJ
- εδιδαξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- λαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- John 12:32-33 (verbal): Uses the same language of being 'lifted up' (ὑψωθῶ) to speak of Jesus' vindication/exaltation through death, closely paralleling 'When you lift up the Son of Man.'
- John 5:19 (verbal): 'The Son can do nothing of his own accord...' echoes 8:28's 'I do nothing of myself,' emphasizing the Son's dependence on and conformity to the Father.
- John 6:38 (thematic): 'I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me' parallels 8:28's stress that Jesus speaks/acts as the Father taught him — submission to the Father's will.
- Isaiah 52:13 (allusion): The prophetic motif of the servant being 'high and lifted up' (exalted) resonates with Jesus' prediction of the Son of Man being lifted up and later identified as the suffering/exalted servant.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak as the Father taught me.'
- So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own; but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.'
John.8.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πεμψας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- εστιν·ουκ: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg+PART,neg
- αφηκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- μονον: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αρεστα: ADJ,acc,pl,neut
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- παντοτε: ADV
Parallels
- John 6:38 (verbal): Jesus: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Direct verbal parallel stressing Jesus’ obedience to the sender’s will.
- John 5:30 (verbal): “I can do nothing on my own... I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Emphasizes dependence on the Father and acting to please him, matching John 8:29.
- John 4:34 (thematic): “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” Same theme: doing the Father’s will is Jesus’ sustaining purpose and what pleases the Father.
- John 15:10 (thematic): “If you keep my commandments... as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Connects Jesus’ obedience to remaining in the Father’s presence/pleasure—paralleling ‘the one who sent me is with me.’
- Hebrews 10:7 (allusion): “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.’” Quotation/applied Psalm that the NT uses to describe Christ’s mission of doing God’s will, echoing John’s emphasis on pleasing the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.'
- The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.'
John.8.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- λαλουντος: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,masc
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- επιστευσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 7:31 (verbal): Another Johannine instance using the same verb and idea: many of the people believed in him after hearing Jesus, closely mirroring John 8:30's report of belief in response to his words.
- John 4:39 (thematic): Many Samaritans believed because of the woman's testimony about Jesus—another Johannine example of hearing testimony/words leading to belief.
- John 12:42 (thematic): Reports that many (even some leaders) believed in Jesus but were reluctant to confess him publicly, highlighting varied responses to belief in the Johannine narrative.
- Acts 4:4 (thematic): After apostolic proclamation many who heard the message believed (about five thousand men); a Lucan parallel showing widespread belief resulting from proclamation.
- Romans 10:17 (structural): States the principle that faith comes from hearing, providing a theological explanation for how hearing Jesus' words (as in John 8:30) produces belief.
Alternative generated candidates
- As he spoke these things, many believed in him.
- As he spoke these things, many believed in him.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The Pharisees therefore said to him, "You bear witness about yourself; your testimony is not true."
Jesus answered them, "Even if I bear witness about myself, my testimony is true—for I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I come from or where I go."
You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
Yet even if I judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone; I and the Father who sent me are one witness. And in your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true.
I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me."
They asked him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
He spoke these things in the treasury, teaching in the temple; yet no one laid hands on him, for his hour had not yet come.
Again he said to them, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go you cannot come."
The Jews said, "Will he kill himself, then, because he says, 'Where I am going you cannot come' ?"
He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
I told you that you would die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins."
They said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I have been telling you from the beginning."
I have many things to say about you and to judge; but the one who sent me is true, and what I have heard from him I declare to the world."
They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and that I do nothing on my own, but speak as the Father taught me.
For the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
As he spoke these things, many believed in him.