John 8:28
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
John 8:28 (KJV)
Context
Jesus spoke these words to the Pharisees who had challenged Him, asking, “Who art thou?” (John 8:25). He answered by pointing them to the cross, using the phrase “lifted up” to describe both His crucifixion and His exaltation. In John 12:32-33, Jesus again says, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me,” and the writer explains that He said this to show what death He would die. The cross, therefore, is the decisive moment when Jesus’ identity would be revealed.
Meaning
The phrase “lifted up the Son of man” refers to Jesus’ death on the cross, but it also carries the idea of being raised to glory. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, people would come to know that He is the Christ, the Son of God. The words “I am he” echo the divine name “I AM” from Exodus 3:14, where God reveals Himself to Moses as “I AM THAT I AM.” In John’s Gospel, Jesus repeatedly uses this “I AM” language, as in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am.” Here, He ties that divine identity to the cross.
Jesus also emphasizes His complete dependence on the Father: “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” This is a consistent theme in John, where Jesus says He can do nothing on His own (John 5:19, 30) and that His teaching comes from the Father (John 7:16). The cross is not only the revelation of Jesus’ identity but also the ultimate demonstration of His obedience to the Father. Though the crucifixion was an act of human wickedness, it was also the divinely appointed means by which Jesus would be glorified and through which His true nature would be made known.
Biblical connections
This verse connects the crucifixion with the revelation of Jesus’ divine identity. The “lifting up” on the cross is the moment when His glory is displayed, and His resurrection confirms that He is the Son of God. The unity between Jesus and the Father is central: Jesus speaks only what the Father has taught Him, showing that His words are the very words of God.
Application
Seek a deeper understanding of Jesus: Reflect on the crucifixion, resurrection, and the message of salvation. Pray for God to reveal more of Himself to you as you study His Word.
Embrace the authority of Jesus’ teachings: Read the Bible with a receptive heart, acknowledging that Jesus’ words are from the Father. Obey His commandments and apply His teachings to your life.
Cultivate humility and reliance on God: Recognize your need for God’s guidance and wisdom in every aspect of your life. Seek to align your will with His, just as Jesus demonstrated His complete dependence on the Father.
Reflection
Seeing the cross as the moment of divine revelation changes how we understand suffering and obedience. Jesus’ dependence on the Father invites us to trust that God’s plan is accomplished even through apparent defeat. As we behold the crucified and risen Son, we are called to know Him truly and to follow Him in humble reliance on the Father.
