Key verse: "Jesus is the Light of the world" v.12a
(NET) Jesus’ remark has to be seen in view of both the prologue (John 1:4, 5) and the end of the discourse with Nicodemus (John 3:19–21). The coming of Jesus into the world provokes judgment: A choosing up of sides becomes necessary. The one who comes to the light, that is, who follows Jesus, will not walk in the darkness. The one who refuses to come, will walk in the darkness. In this contrast, there are only two alternatives. So it is with a person’s decision about Jesus. Furthermore, this serves as in implicit indictment of Jesus’ opponents, who still walk in the darkness, because they refuse to come to him. This sets up the contrast in chap. 9 between the man born blind, who receives both physical and spiritual sight, and the Pharisees (John 9:13, 15, 16) who have physical sight but remain in spiritual darkness.
Main point: In this passage, the Pharisees showed that they were in the darkness by 1. Not accepting Jesus’ testimony v.13. 2. Their rejection based on their ignorance v.14. (NET) First, they thought Jesus came from Galilee (although he really came from Bethlehem in Judea) and second, they did not know that he came from heaven (from the Father), and this is where he would return. 3. They judged based on outward appearance v.15. (NAC) ...a judgment on their judging. 4. Do not know either Jesus or His Father v.19. These were all serious charges. Even John commented that the natural consequences of Jesus was being seized v.20.
Reflection: 第十二節, 耶穌又對眾人說, 我是世界的光, 跟從我的, 就不在黑暗裏走, 必要得著生命的光. 從13至開始, 我們看見看見法利賽人就是走在黑暗裏. 當我跟從耶穌的時候, 我就不應該再像法利賽人. 不要再像他們一樣, 當耶穌說一樣道理的時候, 他們馬上就反對： 也不要再像他們一樣, 連自己不知道的東西, 他們也要反對耶穌； 也不要像他們一樣, 只是憑著自己去做判斷； 最後也不要像他們一樣, 連神也不認識.
Comments