Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” New Living Translation The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?” English Standard Version So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Berean Standard Bible So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Berean Literal Bible Therefore the Jews were saying, “Will He kill Himself, that He says, ‘Where I am going, you⁺ are not able to come’?” King James Bible Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. New King James Version So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?” New American Standard Bible So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” NASB 1995 So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come ‘?” NASB 1977 Therefore the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Legacy Standard Bible So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Amplified Bible So the Jews were asking [among themselves], “Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Berean Annotated Bible So the Jews (people of praise) began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you⁺ cannot come’? Christian Standard Bible So the Jews said again, “He won’t kill himself, will he, since he says, ‘Where I’m going, you cannot come’? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible So the Jews said again, “He won’t kill Himself, will He, since He says, Where I’m going, you cannot come?” American Standard Version The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come? Contemporary English Version The people asked, "Does he intend to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying we cannot go where he is going?" English Revised Version The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come? GOD'S WORD® Translation Then the Jews asked, "Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means when he says, 'You can't go where I'm going'?" Good News Translation So the Jewish authorities said, "He says that we cannot go where he is going. Does this mean that he will kill himself?" International Standard Version So the Jewish leaders were asking, "He isn't going to kill himself, is he? Is that why he said, 'You cannot come where I'm going'?" NET Bible So the Jewish leaders began to say, "Perhaps he is going to kill himself, because he says, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'" New Heart English Bible The Jewish leaders therefore said, "Will he kill himself, that he says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come?'" Webster's Bible Translation Then said the Jews, will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. Weymouth New Testament The Jews began to ask one another, "Is he going to kill himself, do you think, that he says, 'Where I am going, it is impossible for you to come'?" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” World English Bible The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe Jews, therefore, said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, To where I go away, you are not able to come?” Berean Literal Bible Therefore the Jews were saying, “Will He kill Himself, that He says, ‘Where I am going, you⁺ are not able to come’?” Young's Literal Translation The Jews, therefore, said, 'Will he kill himself, because he saith, Whither I go away, ye are not able to come?' Smith's Literal Translation Then said the Jews, Will he not kill himself? for he says, Where I retire, ye cannot come. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe Jews therefore said: Will he kill himself, because he said: Whither I go, you cannot come? Catholic Public Domain Version And so the Jews said, “Is he going to kill himself, for he said: ‘Where I am going, you are not able to go?’ ” New American Bible So the Jews said, “He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?” New Revised Standard Version Then the Jews said, “Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe Jews said, Why, will he kill himself? for he says, Where I am going, you cannot come. Aramaic Bible in Plain English The Judeans were saying, “Will he now kill himself?”, because he had said, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThen said the Jews: Will he kill himself, because he says, Whither I go, you can not come? Godbey New Testament Then the Jews were saying, Whether will He kill Himself, because He says, Haweis New Testament The Jews said therefore, Will he kill himself? because he said, Whither I go, ye cannot come. Mace New Testament then said the Jews, what, will he kill himself? that he says, "whither I go, you cannot come." Weymouth New Testament The Jews began to ask one another, "Is he going to kill himself, do you think, that he says, 'Where I am going, it is impossible for you to come'?" Worrell New Testament The Jews, therefore, said, "Will He kill Himself?" because He said, Worsley New Testament The Jews therefore said, What! will He kill himself; that He says, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Woman Caught in Adultery…21Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.… Cross References So the Jews began to ask, John 6:41-42 At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” / They were asking, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” John 7:12-13 Many in the crowds were whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” But others replied, “No, He deceives the people.” / Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews. John 10:19-21 Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message. / Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?” / But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” “Will He kill Himself, John 10:17-18 The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. / No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.” Acts 2:23 He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. Matthew 20:18-19 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death / and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.” since He says, John 16:5-7 Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ / Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things. / But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 20:17 “Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. ‘Where I am going, John 14:2-4 In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. / You know the way to the place where I am going.” Acts 1:9-11 After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. you cannot come’?” John 7:34 You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” John 13:33 Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ John 13:36 “Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.” John 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. Treasury of Scripture Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he said, Where I go, you cannot come. Will. John 8:48,52 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? … John 7:20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? John 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Jump to Previous Able Impossible Jews Kill Life Surely Think Where WhitherJump to Next Able Impossible Jews Kill Life Surely Think Where WhitherJohn 8 1. Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.12. He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine; 31. promises freedom to those who believe; 33. answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham; 48. answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity; 59. and slips away from those who would stone him. So the Jews began to ask, This phrase indicates a reaction from the Jewish leaders or people present during Jesus' teaching. The Jews often questioned Jesus' statements, reflecting their skepticism and misunderstanding of His spiritual teachings. This questioning attitude is seen throughout the Gospels, where the Jewish leaders frequently challenge Jesus' authority and teachings. “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’? Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to the Jews about His divine origin and destiny. 2. The Jews This term refers to the Jewish leaders and people who were questioning Jesus' statements and authority. 3. Jerusalem While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the events of John 8 take place in Jerusalem, a significant location for Jewish religious life. 4. The Temple The broader context of John 8 includes Jesus teaching in the temple courts, a place of worship and learning. 5. The Discourse on Spiritual Blindness This event is part of a larger discourse where Jesus addresses spiritual truths and the misunderstanding of His mission. Teaching Points Misunderstanding of Jesus' MissionThe Jews' question reveals their misunderstanding of Jesus' spiritual mission. They interpret His words through a worldly lens, missing the spiritual truth. Spiritual Blindness This passage highlights the spiritual blindness of those who do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. It serves as a reminder to seek spiritual discernment through prayer and study of the Word. The Importance of Context Understanding the context of Jesus' statements is crucial. This passage encourages believers to study Scripture holistically, considering historical and cultural backgrounds. Eternal Perspective Jesus speaks of a destination beyond this world. Believers are reminded to focus on eternal life and the hope of being with Christ. The Danger of Assumptions The Jews assumed Jesus was speaking of physical death. This warns against making assumptions about spiritual matters without seeking God's wisdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of John 8:22?2. How does John 8:22 reveal the misunderstanding of Jesus' identity by the Jews? 3. What does John 8:22 teach about the consequences of rejecting Jesus' message? 4. How can we ensure we correctly understand Jesus' teachings, unlike in John 8:22? 5. How does John 8:22 connect with John 14:6 about Jesus being the way? 6. What steps can we take to avoid spiritual misunderstanding as seen in John 8:22? 7. Why did the Jews think Jesus might kill Himself in John 8:22? 8. How does John 8:22 reflect the misunderstanding of Jesus' mission? 9. What cultural beliefs influenced the Jews' interpretation in John 8:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 8? 11. Who is the author of Leviticus? 12. Who will be judged? (John 5:22 vs. Romans 8:1) 13. If Jesus was sinless, why did He break the Sabbath by healing (John 5:18)? 14. Did Jesus deceive His brothers? What Does John 8:22 Mean So the Jews began to ask• The conversation picks up right after Jesus’ warning, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come” (John 8:21). • Hearing that, the crowd is puzzled. Earlier they had wondered, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him?” (John 7:35). Their continued confusion shows how far their thoughts are from Jesus’ heavenly mission. • Scripture often notes this pattern of misunderstanding whenever hearts are hardened (Isaiah 6:9–10; Matthew 13:15). The question they raise exposes spiritual blindness rather than honest seeking. Will He kill Himself, since He says, • Their first guess is shocking: “Will He kill Himself?” They leap to a dark conclusion because they cannot fathom any other destination outside their earthly frame of reference. • The irony is thick. Jesus will indeed “lay down His life of His own accord” (John 10:18), but not in despair. He will offer Himself as the spotless Lamb (John 1:29) and rise again (John 2:19). • Scripture treats self-murder as the tragic end of those in desperation (1 Samuel 31:4; Acts 16:27). Jesus’ sacrifice, by contrast, is an act of obedience and love (Philippians 2:8). • Their flawed assumption underlines their lack of revelation; “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’ • Jesus speaks of returning to the Father, the glory He shared “before the world existed” (John 17:5). Heaven is His destination (John 14:2), and sin bars the unrepentant from entering (Revelation 21:27). • Unbelief is the barrier: “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). In contrast, faith in Christ grants access—“I am the way… No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). • Peter later hears the same words, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” (John 13:36). The promise becomes true for every believer (1 Thessalonians 4:17). • For Jesus’ hostile listeners, the statement is a solemn warning; apart from repentance, they will never share His eternal home. summary The crowd’s cynical question reveals spiritual blindness, not curiosity. Jesus is not plotting suicide; He is preparing the cross, resurrection, and ascension. His words spotlight a stark divide: unbelief keeps sinners from God’s presence, while faith in the crucified and risen Christ opens the way to follow Him where He is going. (22) Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself?--They see the deeper meaning of His words, and yet cannot see how that meaning is to be fulfilled. "He is going away, and He clearly refers to His death. But the issues of life are in the darkness of the future. Who can know the hour of His own departure? There is only one class of persons who can speak with certainty of thus going away, and these are persons who by their own act fix the limit of their own lives."Because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.--Comp. Note on John 7:35. Then they had asked in scorn if He would go to the Dispersion and teach the heathen? If so, they certainly could not follow Him. Here there is the same scorn. If He intends to go to Hades, He will indeed be beyond their reach. They expect to go to Abraham's bosom: between Him and them there will be the great gulf which no one can pass. (Comp. Notes on Luke 16:22-26.) Many expositors have seen here a reference to the deeper darkness which, in current Jewish belief, fell on the souls of those who had by their own act passed to the other world. This is supported by the speech of Josephus at Jotapata (Wars, iii. 8, ? 5). Their words may imply, "If He is going to that depth, well may He say 'Whither I go, ye cannot come.'" But if this meaning were expressed in their words, we should have expected some reference to it in the answer of our Lord; and if it be expressed at all it is in their words. It has no sanction in thought or word from Him. Verse 22. - The Jews therefore said (were saying one to the other), Will he kill himself, that (because) he saith, Whither I go, thither ye cannot come? This query was one of harsh mockery, and can hardly be exaggerated in malign intent. The suicide was supposed to have his place in Gehenna, According to Josephus ('Bell. Jud.,' 3:08. 5), "the darkest regions of Hades would receive the souls of such." The Jews then scoff at his departure as a spontaneous resort to a fate towards which they did rot care or mean to follow him. Edersheim declares this passage of Josephus not to be sustained by rabbinical authority, and he doubts this aspect of their scorn. He limits it to the Jewish guess that Jesus must be contemplating self. murder, and as putting deliberately such a distance between them and him that they could not traverse it. The very fact that they had it in their hearts to destroy him makes it probable that they were looking beyond the act of suicide, either to the hell of popular belief or the hatred of contemporaries. They obviously thought that none but a suicide can determine the time of his departure. Christ proceeded to show them that the reason why his death would separate them from him was a fundamental difference of nature.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Soοὖν (oun) Conjunction Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. began to ask, Ἔλεγον (Elegon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “Will He kill ἀποκτενεῖ (apoktenei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 615: To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy. Himself, ἑαυτὸν (heauton) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. since ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. He says, λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘Where Ὅπου (Hopou) Adverb Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am going, ὑπάγω (hypagō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. cannot δύνασθε (dynasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. come’?” ἐλθεῖν (elthein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 2064: To come, go. Links John 8:22 NIVJohn 8:22 NLT John 8:22 ESV John 8:22 NASB John 8:22 KJV John 8:22 BibleApps.com John 8:22 Biblia Paralela John 8:22 Chinese Bible John 8:22 French Bible John 8:22 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: John 8:22 The Jews therefore said Will he kill (Jhn Jo Jn) |
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