John 8:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The Judeans said, “Is he going to commit suicide? Is that what he means when 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’?”

American Standard Version:

The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G3767} said^{G3004} the Jews^{G2453}, Will he kill^{{G3385}{G615}} himself^{G1438}? because^{G3754} he saith^{G3004}, Whither^{G3699} I^{G1473} go^{G5217}, ye^{G5210} cannot^{{G3756}{G1410}} come^{G2064}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for John 8:22

John 8:22 is part of a larger discourse in the Gospel of John, where Jesus is engaged in a heated exchange with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. The verse captures a moment of misunderstanding and skepticism among the Jews regarding Jesus' statement about His departure to a place where they cannot follow. The historical context is significant; Jesus is in the midst of His ministry, facing increasing opposition from Jewish authorities who question His authority and origins.

In the verse, the Jews' response, "Will he kill himself?" reflects their incomprehension of Jesus' teachings. They interpret His words about going to a place they cannot come as a suicidal statement, which shows both their lack of spiritual insight and a cynical attitude towards Jesus. This misunderstanding is emblematic of the broader theme in the Gospel of John, where Jesus speaks in spiritual terms, but His audience often takes Him literally or misunderstands His meaning entirely.

The themes present in this verse include the conflict between belief and unbelief, the spiritual blindness of those who refuse to accept Jesus' divine mission, and the concept of Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father. Jesus' reference to going somewhere they cannot follow hints at His eventual return to the Father through His death, resurrection, and ascension—truths that are beyond the Jews' current understanding. This verse foreshadows the ultimate division between those who reject Jesus and those who come to recognize Him as the Savior who opens the way to eternal life with God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2453
   There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
   Transliteration: Ioudaîos
   Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
   Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3385
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μήτι
   Transliteration: mḗti
   Pronunciation: may'-tee
   Description: from μή and the neuter of τὶς; whether at all:--not (the particle usually not expressed, except by the form of the question).
   
5. Strong's Number: G615
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκτείνω
   Transliteration: apokteínō
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ti'-no
   Description: from ἀπό and (to slay); to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy:--put to death, kill, slay.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1438
   There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
   Transliteration: heautoû
   Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
   Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
   
7. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3699
   There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅπου
   Transliteration: hópou
   Pronunciation: hop'-oo
   Description: from ὅς and πού; what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot:--in what place, where(-as, -soever), whither (+ soever).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5217
    There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπάγω
    Transliteration: hypágō
    Pronunciation: hoop-ag'-o
    Description: from ὑπό and ἄγω; to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively:--depart, get hence, go (a-)way.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5210
    There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμεῖς
    Transliteration: hymeîs
    Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
    Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1410
    There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δύναμαι
    Transliteration: dýnamai
    Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
    Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2064
    There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔρχομαι
    Transliteration: érchomai
    Pronunciation: el'-tho
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.