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Jn 8:12 continues where 7:52 left off. Jesus' declaration, one of the great I am sayings of John (see the note on 6:35), expresses again the theme of light (v.12). The imagery may have been an allusion to the prominence of light at the Feast of Tabernacles (cf. the note on 7:37-38).
It was contrary to Jewish regulations to accept the testimony of individuals about themselves, and the Pharisees challenged Jesus' pronouncement on this basis (v.13). But his testimony concerning himself was not to be measured by the human standards applied by his opponents; it was based on his unity with the Father, from whom both it and he were derived (vv.14-16). There were thus two who spoke for Jesus: Jesus himself and the Father, who sent him (v.17). This fulfilled the Law, which required two witnesses (cf. Dt 17:6; 19:15). The apparent contradiction between v.14 and 5:31 is not real; the two passages are about different kinds of self-witness.
Jesus' adversaries judged by appearances (v.15; cf. 7:24), and their human ponderings repeatedly become the occasion for further teaching by Jesus in the present context. Their perverse request for Jesus to produce his father exposed their ignorance and lack of faith (v.19). A desire to arrest Jesus is implied (v.20; cf. 7:6-8, 28-30, and notes).
The Jews also misunderstood Jesus' words about his departure and coming inaccessibility (vv.21-24; cf. 7:35-36). They wondered whether he might have been speaking of suicide, but, while his words did refer to his coming death, the laying down of his life (cf. 10:18) was not suicide. His main point was that he and his opponents were from different settings. His was heavenly; theirs was earthly and sinful, and their only hope of escape was through believing Jesus when he said, I am (see the note on 6:35). With these words Jesus identified himself unequivocally with God (cf. Ex 3:14; Isa 43:10).
As to who he is, they have already heard from him reliably (vv.25-26; cf. 3:32-34), and they would know him and his unity with the Father when he, the true Mediator between heaven and earth (cf. 1:51; 3:13; 6:27, 62), was lifted up (vv.27-29). Lifting up refers to Jesus' crucifixion and glorification (cf. 3:14 and note; 12:34). It becomes evident in what follows that those who believed in him as a result of this interchange (v.30) had only a superficial faith.