Gann's Commentary on the Bible

John 8:12

8:12 I am. The light metaphor is steeped in OT allusions (e.g., Exodus 13:21-22; Psalms 27:1; Psalms 119:105). Jesus is the promised light (Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 60:19-20; cf. Acts 13:47).

8:12 During the Festival of Shelters, sixteen gold bowls in the inner courts of the Temple were filled with oil and lighted. Jesus stood beneath these lights in the Temple (8:20) and said that he was now the source of the light.

Now, the lighting of the giant lamps reminded the nation of the pillar of fire which guided them at night (cf. Exodus 13:21; Numbers 9:15-23

How fitting that during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the large lamps were burning, Jesus … said, I am the Light of the world (cf. John 1:4, John 1:9; John 12:35, John 12:46)

John 8:13

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John 8:20

Several times John noted that Jesus’ time had not yet come (John 2:4; John 7:6, John 7:8, John 7:30; John 8:20). Then in His intercessory prayer, just before the Cross, He began, “Father, the time has come” (John 17:1; cf. John 12:23, John 12:27; John 13:1).Several times John noted that Jesus’ time had not yet come (John 2:4; John 7:6, John 7:8, John 7:30; John 8:20). Then in His intercessory prayer, just before the Cross, He began, “Father, the time has come” (John 17:1; cf. John 12:23, John 12:27; John 13:1).

John 8:59

Picked up stones -- It is interesting to remember that the temple was undergoing a reconstruction at this very time begun by Herod the Great and not completed until about AD 62. So there would have been considerable rubble from the constructions for the Jews to find stones to throw at Jesus.

Hidden -- κρύπτω^c: to cause something to be invisible (in the sense of being hidden), but for the purpose of safekeeping and protection—‘to hide, to make invisible, to make hidden and safe.’

(Did he conceal him among the temple court buildings, or did he make himself "invisible"? cf. Luke 4:30 where "he passed through their midst" ( "walked through the crowd").