Devine Scripture

John 8:22

What does John 8:22 mean?

A plain-English look at John 8:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 8:22 means

The Jews misunderstand Jesus’ words and speculate that He might kill Himself, since He says they cannot come where He goes. Their misreading shows how earthly thinking twists spiritual truth. Instead of asking what hinders them from following, they fixate on a literal, morbid scenario. This reaction reveals the distance between Jesus’ revelation and their categories. They stand before the One who opens heaven, yet assume dark motives. Misinterpretation is not neutral; it stems from hearts resisting the light. Their question sets the stage for Jesus to clarify the vast gulf between His origin and theirs.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So the Jews said, Will he take his life? Is that why he says, Where I go it is not possible for you to come?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

The Jews, therefore, said, `Will he kill himself, because he saith, Whither I go away, ye are not able to come?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The Jews therefore said: Will he kill himself, because he said: Whither I go you cannot come?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This response follows Jesus’ solemn warning about going away and their inability to follow, leading to death in sin. Their mistaken speculation invites Jesus to state plainly the contrast between Himself and them: He is from above; they are from below. The flow moves from warning to misunderstanding to sharper clarification. Recognizing this pattern helps the reader see the patience and firmness of Jesus’ teaching, as He presses the necessity of right belief about His identity for salvation in the next verses.

v.21He said therefore again unto them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin: whither I go, ye cannot come.

v.22This passage

v.23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 7:35

    The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

  • Hebrews 13:13

    Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

  • John 8:52

    The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.

  • Psalms 123:4

    Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scoffing of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.

  • Hebrews 12:3

    For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.

  • Psalms 31:18

    Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak against the righteous insolently, With pride and contempt.

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