Why did the Jews think Jesus might kill Himself in John 8:22? Canonical Text (John 8:21-24) “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ So the Jews began to ask, ‘Will He kill Himself, since He says, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ But He continued, ‘You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Thus I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.’ ” Immediate Literary Setting 1. The exchange takes place in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 14). 2. Twice already the crowd has misread Jesus’ statements about departing (John 7:33-36; cf. 13:33). 3. John’s Gospel repeatedly highlights a pattern: Jesus speaks of heavenly realities, and His hearers remain locked into earthly categories (John 2:19-22; 3:3-4; 4:10-11; 6:52). Second-Temple Jewish Attitudes Toward Suicide 1. Explicit Old Testament prohibition is implied in Genesis 9:5-6 and Exodus 20:13. 2. Rabbinic tradition (m. Semachot 2.1-2; t. Semachot 2.1) placed suicides in the lowest regions of Sheol, separated from the righteous dead. 3. Josephus records suicide as a grave sin bringing divine judgment (B.J. 3.380). 4. Thus the leaders presume that if Jesus takes His own life, He will descend to an accursed realm “below” — a realm they believe they will avoid. Johannine Irony and Misunderstanding • Jesus’ “going” speaks of voluntary sacrificial death followed by resurrection and ascension (John 10:17-18; 20:17). • The Jews interpret strictly on the horizontal, thinking only of physical self-destruction. • Their question drips with scorn: suicide was viewed as the one pathway that could separate someone from the people of God, “where we will not follow.” Contrast of Realms: “Above” vs. “Below” • Jesus: “You are from below; I am from above” (v. 23). • “Below” = the fallen world system (cf. John 3:31; 1 John 2:15-17). • “Above” = God’s dwelling (John 6:38; 17:5). • The real divide is spiritual estrangement, not geographical locality. Theological Significance 1. Spiritual Blindness: Sin renders them incapable of perceiving divine truth (Isaiah 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:14). 2. Voluntary Death, Not Suicide: Jesus’ life is not taken but intentionally laid down according to divine plan (John 10:18; Acts 2:23). 3. Imminent Judgment: “You will die in your sins” (v. 24) echoes Ezekiel 3:18; unrepentant unbelief seals their fate (Hebrews 9:27). Cross-References • John 7:35–36 – similar misinterpretation (“Will He go to the Dispersion?”). • John 13:33, 36 – disciples later wrestling with the same phrase. • Proverbs 14:12 – self-chosen path ending in death. • Hebrews 9:24 – Christ enters the heavenly sanctuary, the destination “where I am going.” Patristic Witness • Augustine, Tractate 33 on John: “They supposed He spoke of self-murder, because they were murderers at heart and could not conceive of a death that conquers death.” • Chrysostom, Homily 53 on John: “They charge Him with crime; He promises glory. Their very scorn proves their darkness.” Practical Application 1. Misreading Christ’s words leads to fatal misunderstanding; Scripture must be received with a repentant heart (Psalm 119:18). 2. Separation from Christ is not spatial but moral and spiritual; the only bridge is belief that “I am He” (v. 24; cf. John 14:6). 3. Rejection of divine revelation culminates in eternal separation far worse than any concept of Sheol. Summary Answer The Jews assumed Jesus might kill Himself because, bound to earthly categories and rabbinic views that suicides descend to a cursed realm, they interpreted His “going away” as self-inflicted death. Their scornful misreading reveals spiritual blindness, contrasts their “below” with His “above,” and sets the stage for Jesus to declare that only faith in Him rescues from dying in one’s sins. |
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