8:12
Here we have one of the best well known “I am” statements, “I am the light of the world”. Light is often used as a metaphor in the Old Testament. Psalm 27:1 is an excellent example, “The Lord is my light and salvation”. So Jesus’ use of the light metaphor would strike home to the religious leaders and to the people. It also makes the claims all the more audacious. If we follow Him we will not walk in darkness. So how were the people walking in darkness? Again, saying this would hit hard at the religious leaders. They would think of the Gentiles walking in darkness, not themselves! Yet Jesus is implying that they were walking in darkness. They were in darkness because of their sin. Both the religious leaders and the people could have seen themselves as being in darkness because of the Roman occupation. If we believe in Jesus we have the light of life. Whatever the circumstances we need to look to Jesus, for He alone is the one who will give us the light that we need.
8:13
As usual the Pharisees do not confront the issue of Jesus’ teaching but quibble about something. Earlier Jesus (John 5:31) had said if He testified about Himself His testimony was not valid, so they think they have caught Jesus in a trap. However, in His earlier statement He had been talking about how He was doing the Father’s will (I can do nothing on my own). He did not mean that His words were not true.
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