What does John 8:28 mean?

Explanation

John 8:28 speaks of a future event when Jesus refers to being "lifted up," which is commonly interpreted as a prophecy about his crucifixion.

He is addressing the disbelief among the people and particularly the Jewish leaders of the time.

In saying "When ye have lifted up the Son of man" (the term "Son of man" being a title Jesus often used to refer to himself), Jesus is pointing to the manner of his death as being a definitive sign of his identity as the Messiah and his divine authority.

"When ye know that I am he," Jesus is not only referring to his messianic identity but also echoing the divine name "I am," which God used in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14).

This suggests that Jesus is identifying himself with God, implying his divine nature.

The latter part of the verse, "and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things," emphasizes Jesus' relationship with the Father.

He stresses his unity with the Father in purpose and action, reinforcing the idea that his teachings are not his own, but those of God the Father who sent him.

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus' ministry, the Roman Empire ruled over Judea, and the Jewish people were awaiting the coming of a Messiah who would liberate them.

However, many were expecting a political or military leader. Jesus' teachings and actions, though, pointed to a very different kind of Messiah, one who would bring spiritual liberation rather than political.

The religious leaders of the time, mainly the Pharisees and the Sadducees, were often at odds with Jesus because he challenged their authority and interpretations of the law.

The Gospel of John is thought to have been written toward the end of the first century AD, and its narrative often emphasizes the divinity of Christ.

It is within this context, and against the backdrop of Jewish messianic expectations, that Jesus' statement in John 8:28 would have been deeply provocative and even blasphemous to his contemporary audience.

Theological Insights

From a Trinitarian Christian viewpoint, this verse reinforces the concept of the Trinity, with Jesus indicating a unique and divine relationship with God the Father.

The concept of the Son being instructed by the Father also accommodates the incarnation, where Jesus, while being divine, operated within human limitations, being obedient to the Father's will.

A Unitarian perspective might see Jesus’ statement as an affirmation of God’s oneness and Jesus as God's representative rather than God himself. They would emphasize the aspect of Jesus doing nothing of himself, supporting a belief in the distinction between God and Jesus.

A non-Christian perspective might view this statement within the historical and cultural context of a prophet speaking on behalf of God, akin to prophets found in various other religious traditions.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can encourage individuals to reflect on the importance of purposeful living in alignment with a higher will or calling. It may inspire believers to seek guidance from their faith traditions and teachings when making decisions.

An additional application is the reminder to recognize the signs that might reaffirm one’s faith or encourage one to look beyond the surface of events or people, aligning one’s judgement with deeper truths and wisdom.

For those in teaching or leadership roles, the verse can serve as a model of humility, authority derived from service, and the ethical communication of ideas taught or revealed to them.

Cross-References

• John 3:14 (KJV): "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:"
• John 12:32 (KJV): "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
• John 14:10 (KJV): "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."
• Exodus 3:14 (KJV): "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the phrase "I am he" is translated from "ἐγώ εἰμι" (egō eimi), which resembles the phrase used in the Greek Septuagint for Exodus 3:14, where God reveals his name to Moses as "I AM." This Greek phrase can carry connotations of self-existence and eternal presence, which are attributes of God.

The term "lifted up" is derived from the Greek word "ὑψόω" (hypsoō), which means to exalt or to lift up high. In the context of the Gospels, it often refers to the crucifixion, symbolizing both the physical lifting of Jesus on the cross and the exaltation of his status as the Savior.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing to other ancient myths, the idea of a deity or hero being lifted up or exalted after death is not uncommon. For instance, in Ancient Egyptian religion, the god Osiris is killed and resurrected, becoming the ruler of the afterlife.

Within Jewish tradition itself, the idea of a suffering servant is present in the writings of the prophet Isaiah. There's a parallel to Jesus' teaching about being "lifted up" in Isaiah 52:13, which foretells the exaltation of the servant of the Lord.

Scientific Perspectives

While there is no direct scientific discourse relating to the theological aspects of this verse, the concept of being "lifted up" could metaphorically connect to the idea of transformation.

In psychological or sociological contexts, this might correlate to the impact an individual can have on shifting the beliefs or moral compass of a society.

The claim of unity with the Father does not intersect with scientific understandings, as it is a spiritual or metaphysical assertion not subject to empirical observation or testing.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse often focus on its christological significance.

For example, the Pulpit Commentary puts emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy and the divine mission of Jesus as the one who brings salvation and reconciles humanity with God.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary discusses the nature of Christ's teaching, obedience to God, and humility in his role as the mediator between God and humankind.

Many commentaries concur on the importance of the prediction of Jesus’ crucifixion and the resulting recognition of his identity and authority that came from his fulfillment of Scripture.