Warnings of Coming Doom. But He knows that in the end the rulers must have their way. He tells the Pharisees that His time is short, and that they will need Him when it is too late. The Jews are scornful. Is He thinking of suicide? In answer He emphasizes the gulf which separates them from Him and His teaching. Who is He, they ask, to make such claims? He reiterates the hopelessness of the situation. Why does He talk with them at all? (So John 8:25 mg. The view that He called Himself The beginning comes from the Vulg.; the Gr. cannot be so translated. It is very doubtful whether the words can mean either Essentially I am what I say or I am what I have told you all along from the beginning.) He has much to say. But they would not listen to God's truth. He must say it to a different audience (John 8:26). They will never understand till they have exalted the Son, through suffering and rejection, to the honour God has appointed for Him. Then they will know that He is no self-boaster, but God's obedient Messenger.
John 8:21-30
21 Then said Jesus again unto them,I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith,Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them,Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them,Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28 Then said Jesus unto them,When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.