Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am^(A) the light of the world.^(B) Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”^(C)

¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”^(D)

¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going.^(E) But you have no idea where I come from^(F) or where I am going.

Dispute Over Who Jesus Is

²¹ Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die^(A) in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”^(B)

²² This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

²³ But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.^{(C) 24} I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he,^(D) you will indeed die in your sins.”

³⁰ Even as he spoke, many believed in him.^(A)

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,^(B) you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”^(C)

⁵¹ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”^(A)

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed!^(B) Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham?^(C) He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself,^(D) my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.^{(E) 55} Though you do not know him,^(F) I know him.^(G) If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.^{(H) 56} Your father Abraham^(I) rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it^(J) and was glad.”

⁵⁷ “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,^(K) I am!”^{(L) 59} At this, they picked up stones to stone him,^(M) but Jesus hid himself,^(N) slipping away from the temple grounds.