John 8:21-27

Read John 8:21-27

Helpful Background Information: 

• In Mark 11:27-33, Jesus is questioned about his authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Although their question could be seen as a good-faith question - after all, Jesus cleansed the temple, forgave sins, redefined the Sabbath, and so on - their response to Jesus’ question showed their skepticism and intentional unbelief towards Jesus. Through Jesus’s counterquestion, Jesus infers that his authority comes from heaven. 

• And by God’s grace, Jesus spoke more clearly about this manner in John 8. In our passage for today, Jesus is predicting his death, resurrection, and ascension. Bewildered, the Jewish crowd and Pharisees ask who Jesus is (v.25), seeking to figure out his authority. Jesus responds by stating that he is from the One who is true, or God the Father (v. 26-27), and that all of his deeds and teachings are done in unison with the Father (v. 28-29). 

• Hence, Jesus’ teaching in John shows us the correct answer to his counter-question in Mark 11. Jesus’ authority was firmly from heaven, commissioned by God himself. He had only one authority in His life, and that was the divine will which He knew perfectly as the divine Son. Our Lord never consulted the Pharisees. He never consulted the scribes. He never consulted the rabbis to get permission to do anything. He never consulted the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of Israel, on anything at all. And as the divine Son of God, Jesus Christ shared in that authority and glory with the Father.

Reflection Questions: 

• Why is it significant that Jesus’ authority comes “from heaven” rather than from religious institutions or human approval?

• In what ways does intentional unbelief show itself in this passage? Are there ways people today, religious or not, ask questions about Jesus without truly wanting to submit to His authority?

• What response does Jesus’ divine authority call forth from you: trust, repentance, obedience, or something else?