The fall of Adam in the garden brought sin, death, and sickness in the world. Sin caused the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical sufferings in the world. Thus, one may say that in general, all sicknesses was due to sin. But in terms of specific sins and sicknesses, one must have the right perspective. Jesus healed a man who was born blind. Before healing the man, His disciples asked a question that revealed the perspective of their time. They asked who sinned, was it the parents or the man born blind. The answer of Jesus was neither. There are times that unwanted incidents happen to humans. The reasons for the incidents may vary. It could be one or a combination of the following: a fiery trial, a consequence of sin, a result of bad decisions, or to reveal the glory of God.

Jesus explained to those who believed that His genuine disciples are those who abide in His word. And they will know the truth, which will set them free. To His accusers, Jesus stated that they were of their father, the Devil, who was a murderer and a liar. However, Jesus is the truth and the Son who can set them free. The Jewish accusers retorted that they were descendants of Abraham. Although that might be so in the genealogical sense, in terms of practice, their father was the Devil. The reason is that they intended to murder Jesus, and they opposed the truth in Christ.

Jesus explained that those who genuinely believe will remain in His word. And they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (John 8:31-32). The Jews replied and claimed that they were not enslaved; thus, there was no need to be freed. Yet Jesus explained those who practice sin are slaves of sin, and only the Son can set the enslaved people free.

Jesus declared that He is not of this world, unlike humanity; He is from above. And those who do not believe in Him will die in their sin. Although Jesus has been telling the listeners who He was, not everyone understood. That is why they had to ask who He was. According to Jesus and His apostles, He is the Son of Man, Son of God, Messiah, Light of the World, the Word of God, the Judge, and God Himself. Jesus continued to speak to a mixed crowd, with many believing but with those who sought to kill Him.

Jesus declared that He is the Light of the World and that the Father testifies of who Jesus is. Those who believe will not walk in darkness, but they will have the light of life. It follows that those who do not believe choose to remain in darkness. He would warn those who do not believe will die in their sins. But even with the dire warning, the majority of Jewish leaders of the time did not believe. Yet, there were those who did believe in Him.

The author once again highlights two of the claims of Jesus. One, He is the Light of the world, and two, He is one with the Father. The learner will appreciate the clarity and consistency of the author since the prologue (John 1:1-18). The writings of John, the son of Zebedee, gave clarity to his intent, which every believer should understand, believe, and proclaim. In this section, the author affirms that He is the Light of the World and the one sent by God. Some will believe Him, but others will not. Moreover, the religious of their day would seek to arrest and kill Him, as expressed in the whole account of John. The setting of the conversation is at the treasury, which could be in the temple compound.

The earliest manuscripts do not contain the cited text. Somehow, it found its way into the later manuscripts. Some scholars would argue that it should not be in the biblical compilation. However, some would tolerate it since it does not contradict the gospel. Moreover, it might have some validity through oral tradition. The account involves a woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees and Scribes challenged Jesus to give His position if they should stone her according to the law of Moses.

On the last day of the Feast of Booths, Jesus invited all who thirst to come to Him. He proclaimed that whoever believes in Him will flow rivers of living water. In other words, those who believe will never thirst again. Jesus spoke of the promise of the Spirit to all who believe. Some believed Him, but some did not. But those who came to arrest Jesus could not arrest Him. Although many marveled at His teachings, it resulted in different reactions. The author of the Gospel of John will reveal that the Pharisees practice false judgement.

The Jewish authorities intended to arrest Jesus but could not, even though He was in public. Jesus taught at the temple at the Feast of Booths, and many marveled at His teachings. The crowd had mixed reactions to Jesus. Some would believe, yet others would doubt. Whether they doubted or believed, Jesus clarified that He was from the Father. As the Father sent Him, Jesus would one day return to the Father. But it was not yet time, even though the intent to arrest and kill Him pervaded. The Father would use the hostile Jews for His purpose, ushering in the greatest sacrifice in History.

During the Feast of Booths, Jesus went to the temple to teach. Many marveled at His teaching, but the Lord was quick to glorify the Father. Jesus claimed that the teaching was not His own, and the authority to teach comes from the One who sent Him. One of the things Jesus addressed when He was teaching was the wrong view of the Sabbath and their faulty reason for killing Him. He raised the practice of obeying the law to circumcise a son on the eighth day when the day fell on the Sabbath. The Jews circumcised their sons even though it was a Sabbath so that they would not violate the law of Moses. Were they not violating the Sabbath? Why do they seek to kill Him when He healed a man on the Sabbath? Jesus exposed their unfounded legalism, which might have added to the fuel of killing Him.