22. The Question of Authority (John 8:12-20)

• Jul, 19 2025

"In John 9:8–16, the miraculous healing of a man born blind becomes a battleground between divine truth and religious legalism. Neighbors question the reality of the healing, but the man affirms, ""I am he."" When brought before the Pharisees, his testimony is scrutinized, not for truth, but for violations of Sabbath tradition. The healing, pa"In John 8:12–20, Jesus declares Himself “the light of the world,” a profound statement made during the Feast of Tabernacles, drawing direct parallels to the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness. This bold claim provokes the Pharisees, who challenge His authority by citing legal requirements for multiple witnesses. Jesus responds by affirming that His testimony is true because He knows His divine origin and destiny, and that the Father—God Himself—bears witness with Him. This exchange underscores a major theme in John’s Gospel: Jesus’ authority comes not from human credentials but from the Father’s validation through both word and deed.The Pharisees' refusal to acknowledge Jesus' authority reveals their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to confront the truth. Instead of examining the scriptural and miraculous evidence supporting Christ's claims, they evade the real issue with dismissive questions like, “Where is your Father?” Jesus exposes their ignorance, stating that they neither know Him nor the Father. The chapter highlights the moral basis of true knowledge and authority, showing that those opposed to Jesus reject both divine truth and its Source. Ultimately, Jesus' authority is inseparable from His identity as the divine Son, and rejecting Him is rejecting the very God the religious leaders claimed to serve."erformed on the Sabbath, was viewed by many religious leaders not as a divine act of mercy, but as a breach of their man-made laws. Some Pharisees rejected Jesus outright, insisting that a Sabbath-breaker could not be from God. Others were troubled, asking how a supposed sinner could perform such miracles—resulting in division among them.This passage highlights the deep conflict between man-centered religious systems and the truth of God revealed in Christ. The healing serves as a sign of divine authority, revealing that truth must be grounded in God's Word, not in human tradition or legalism. Jesus' act of healing on the Sabbath challenges the Pharisees' false priorities, exposing their reliance on ritual over righteousness. Ultimately, the narrative calls believers to examine their own presuppositions: Do we begin with God's truth, or with our own reasoning? The man born blind is healed not only physically, but spiritually—becoming a witness to the power and person of Jesus Christ as the Lord of the Sabbath and the source of all truth."

Author

R.J. Rushdoony

Chalcedon Founder

Narrated by

Nathan F. Conkey

Narrator, teacher, missionary