John 8:17-20 (WEL) “In your own law, it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 “I bear witness about myself. The Father who sent me also bears witness about me.” 19 Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You do not know me or my Father because if you had known me, you would have known my Father also.” 20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury as he taught in the temple, and no one arrested him because his time had not come yet.
V17 “In your own law, it is written that the testimony of two people is true.
Your own law refers to the law that these Jews follow; it is a modified Mosaic law with many man-made additions (Matthew 15:9 and Colossians 2:22). Two or more witnesses are necessary to prevent one person from bringing false accusations for various reasons (all lies though).
Jesus is making a point that He is not His own witness.
Principle: Today we have the Scriptures to tell us God’s witness, which is our first and greatest witness. Of course, it must be interpreted in its plain, normal sense.
V18 “I bear witness about myself. The Father who sent me also bears witness about me.”
Many fulfillments of prophecy, actions, teaching, life, etc. prove Jesus to be the suffering Messiah (Isaiah 53). The warrior, conqueror Messiah comes at the end of the Tribulation to save Israel and rule the world (Zechariah 14).
Jesus is the Son, and if a son, then He has a Father, God the Father (Luke 1:32-35). See Proverbs 30:4, Psalm 2:7, and Isaiah 9:6.
V19 Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You do not know me or my Father because if you had known me, you would have known my Father also.”
They are still arguing with Jesus. Some people never give up. These are that type of people. They believe they are correct and refuse any other information, no matter how true.
Principle: People will use gaslighting, ad hominem attacks, lies, slanders, etc., to win arguments. When this happens, stop any discussion with them, for you are then casting pearls before swine.
These people do not fear God, believe in the God of the Bible and Israel, or accept living by the Scriptures themselves. These types of people are very common.
V20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury as he taught in the temple, and no one arrested him because his time had not come yet.
The treasury is the offering box in the Temple area.
The leaders wanted to arrest him, but it wasn’t time for Jesus to be arrested. God made sure of that.
Principle: Serve until you can’t serve anymore.
We learn:
- Jesus always has the perfect response to people.
- Be faithful and speak the truth.
Questions:
- How do you handle criticism?
- Do you know the truth well enough to tell the truth?