PREFACE: As we pick up with verse 12 in the John Chapter 8 remember that the preceding section is not included in some old Greek manuscripts. If the section 'Caught in Adultery' (7:53-8:11) does not belong then 8:12 immediately follows 7:52. Given the potential absence of the 'Caught in Adultery' section, the context flows with Jesus indirectly interacting with the chief priests and Pharisees to Jesus now directly conversing with the Pharisees. If the 'Caught in Adultery' account belongs, then 8:12 probably picks up later that day or the next day. Above all, remember that John did not write this gospel from a purely chronological perspective. He wanted you to know the Word in a way that the other gospel writers (Matthew, Mark and Luke) did not.
12. Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." Jesus, although feeling increased pressure from the chief priests and Pharisees, continue
s to speak not just to them, but with them. There is dialogue. Jesus said, "ἐγὼ εἰμι τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου" Let their be no mistake, Jesus was not afraid of declaring His identity (I AM) to those religious authorities who questioned His very existence, origin and validity. He is not only the 'Light of the world,' He is the source of Light for anyone who follows Him. Notice the contrasting 'but' (ἀλλ’) which distinguishes 'walk' with 'have' and 'darkness' with 'Light of life.' 'Walk' is περιπατήσῃ meaning 'walk around in circles,' 'live aimlessly.' No direction. No progression. So busy going nowhere. Ever try to walk in the dark, total darkness? I mean complete darkness when your eyes never dilate enough to capture some small ray of light? I have. Go spelunking sometime. Now that is darkness! You are aimlessly wandering without direction without even knowing it. You think, but you are not. Without light you are lost. Next, John contrasts 'walk' with 'have.' The Greek word, ἕξει, translated 
'have' means: to have, to hold, being in possession of, a permanent condition, a state or habit of body or mind. 'Walking' is doing. 'Having' is being. Follow 'I AM' and you will go from a doing (really nothing) aimless acts of self gratification TO being life with direction to others. 13. So the Pharisees said to Him, "You are testifying about Yourself, Your testimony is not true." Ever had someone tell you that you were lying even though you were telling the truth? Don't be too hard on the Pharisees. They were one of the religious elite that perfected efficient 'doing aimless acts of self gratification.' It is not surprising that they would kick against any kind of notion that undermined their life long professions. 14. Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15. "You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16. "But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17. "Even in you law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. 18. "I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me." Verse 14 through 18 are Jesus' response to the Pharisees' rejection. First, in verse 14, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of knowing who you are as a firm foundation upon which you stand when people cast insults and doubts at you. Jesus knew who He was and who His Father was. Therefore, he stood in all confidence of being the Light of the world. Secondly, in verse 15, Jesus correctly passed all judgment on to His Father. For He is not alone on this mission of dispelling the darkness (v. 17). "Man looks at the outward appearance ('the flesh'), 
but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). "Do not judge according to outward appearance, but judge with a righteous judgment" (John 7:24). Thirdly, the Law referred to here is cited in Deuteronomy 17 and 19 (see below). Litigation and judging would do well to consider the validity of a multiplicity of witness. Therefore, Jesus invokes His own witness to Himself (taking the stand in His own defense) and He invokes His Father's testimony of Him. This will unfold more as we go through John's gospel. We will be able to ask and to answer the question: In what ways does the Father bear witness to His Son? 19. So they were saying to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Their question is different than our question. We ask our question based on the validity of the Father. They question the existence of Jesus' Father. Remember, they have had this problem with His Father before. Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also." Jesus is all about His Father. Do people that know me, know the Father? Is my life sharply focused unto that end? 20. These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come. Jesus is teaching again. It is interesting that John uses this term 'teaching' (διδάσκων) to describe this conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees. The 'treasury' (γαζοφυλακίῳ) was a inner court in the temple for the collection boxes. Jesus was all over the temple. He was no stranger to the most holy place in the Jewish religion. Yet, the timing and His life mandate controlled His arrest. It was not His time to be arrest because they, and we, needed to be instructed more.SUMMARY
Do you follow Jesus? Or, do you visit Him? Or, do you listen to people talk about Him? Or, do you read about Him? Or, can you not stand all that talk about Him? Consider DARKNESS or LIGHT. For life, follow Him. For He will be your direction, purpose, vision, and life. Follow Him!
Deuteronomy 17: 2-6
If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of his covenant, and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars of the sky, and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death. On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.
Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
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