Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 12/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I am a Christian and have a question about John 8:14 part B. In part 'A' of John 8:14, Jesus makes an assertion, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid". He then defends/supports this assertion beginning with the word "for," and his defense ends, as I understand it, in verse 18. To me, what he says in verse 18 is a strong argument. However, I do not understand the merit of his argument in verse 14b where he says, "for I know where I came from and where I am going". I understand how his origin and destiny relates to his testimony about himself in verse 12, but I do not understand how this is supposed to persuade someone to trust in him (and, especially, how this was supposed to persuade his opponents, the Pharisees)? Anyone can make claims like this, that he is an ambassador from heaven with a special, divine mission. So could you explain how his statement in verse 14b is supposed to support his assertion in verse 14a that his testimony is valid?

Thank you very much, in advance.
James

ANSWER: Dear James,

Thank you for your question about John 8:14.

Read the entire chapter in order to get the context of what is going on. Starting with verse 12 and ending in verse 58, Jesus is describing to the people around Him, which included the Pharisees and others, the very reason why He came to this earth. And in order for them to understand that, they must first understand His origins—where He came from, who He is, and where He is going.

It’s all important to His argument that ends in verse 58, “Before Abraham was born I AM.” He is declaring throughout this chapter that He is God’s son, that He is one with the Father, that He came from Heaven because the Father had sent Him, and that when I was finished with His work He would again go back to His Father. He makes it plain, in the meantime, that the One whom they claim to be their God is the One He is calling His Father.

It’s interesting to note that in the Greek, the expression for the Hebrew “I AM” is translated ego eimi “I am.” And Jesus used this phrase 13 time in the discourse. But it was only when He compared His existence to that of Abraham that the Jews really got the point and put 2 and 2 together.

So the phrase in the 14th verse is vital to His argument, for it asserts His eternal divinity. Or as the writer of Hebrews puts it:

Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

In invite you to visit my website www.PettyPress.com where I’ve posted the complete text of 18 of my books, 40 Bible lessons and much more.

Thank you again for your question.

Always be ready for Jesus to come,
Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
Thurman@PettyPress.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hell. Thank you for your prompt and helpful reply. I consider it a great privilege to receive instruction from you. From your reply, I learn that Jesus had a strong motivation to say what he did in verse 14b. And I see how verse 14b fits well with the overall theme of chapter 8.

But still, I do not completely understand his statement in verse 14b. I now understand from you how this verse fits in with the wider context of chapter 8, but I still do not see how it fits with the immediate context. Jesus responded to the Pharisees' challenge by telling them in verse 14 part 'A', "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid". And then he says  the word "for" which indicates a logical relationship with the content of the second half of verse 14, "I know where I came from and where I am going". Thus, verse 14 part 'B' seems to have a stronger connection with its immediate context rather than with the wider context. And, if this is the case, it would seem that he expects his audience (and opponents?) to trust his testimony because of where he claims to come from and is going.

I ask this out of a sincere desire to fully understand what he says here and be able to defend it, and I really value your help. Thank you, again.

Answer
Dear James,

I'm not sure I can give you any further help than I've done. I really can't second-guess Jesus on what He was thinking at the time. There are many things in Scripture that are not within our understanding. I'm sorry, but perhaps a Biblical scholar who speciallizes in exegesis, can help you.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Always be ready for Jesus to come,
Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
Thurman@PettyPress.com