As he spoke these words, Jesus was in the temple court during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the illuminated lamps recalled the pillar of light that guided Israel and pointed to the coming Messiah. These words were his declaration that he is the light of the world, meaning he is the source of spiritual light that dispels the world's darkness. Whoever follows him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. The temple lamps were only an imperfect symbol of his mission, while the light of the sun gave a truer picture of it.
These words also proclaimed his unity with the Father, that the Father was with him and had not left him alone. He did nothing of himself but spoke as the Father taught him, and he always did what pleased the Father. He declared that when the Son of man was lifted up they would know who he was. The belief of many followed his teaching about being lifted up, about continuing in his word, about knowing the truth, and about being made free.
His words carried convincing power, and the divine influence surrounding him moved many hearers, including many Jews, to believe on him. The whole chapter holds a lesson of greatest importance. To those Jews who so believed he then said that if they continued in his word they would indeed be his disciples, would know the truth, and the truth would make them free.
As he spoke these words, Jesus was in the temple court during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the illuminated lamps recalled the pillar of light that guided Israel and pointed to the coming Messiah. These words were his declaration that he is the light of the world, meaning he is the source of spiritual light that dispels the world's darkness. Whoever follows him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. The temple lamps were only an imperfect symbol of his mission, while the light of the sun gave a truer picture of it.
These words also proclaimed his unity with the Father, that the Father was with him and had not left him alone. He did nothing of himself but spoke as the Father taught him, and he always did what pleased the Father. He declared that when the Son of man was lifted up they would know who he was. The belief of many followed his teaching about being lifted up, about continuing in his word, about knowing the truth, and about being made free.
His words carried convincing power, and the divine influence surrounding him moved many hearers, including many Jews, to believe on him. The whole chapter holds a lesson of greatest importance. To those Jews who so believed he then said that if they continued in his word they would indeed be his disciples, would know the truth, and the truth would make them free.