John 8:20

20 Jesus spake these words in the treasury, teaching in the temple; and no man took him, for his hour came not yet.

John 8:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 8:20

These words spake Jesus in the treasury
The place where the thirteen chests stood, into which the people put their voluntary contributions for the sacrifices, and service of the temple: the Ethiopic version renders it, "at the alms chest"; (See Gill on Mark 12:41). The design of this observation of the evangelist, is to suggest to us, that it was in a very public place, in the temple, openiy, that Christ delivered the above words:

as he taught in the temple;
where the Jews resorted, where his ministry was public, and he spake freely, and without reserve; in a very bold manner, with intrepidity, and without fear of man:

and no man laid hands on him;
though they had sought to do it the day before; had sent officers to take him; and they themselves had a good will to it; and yet they were so awed and over ruled by one means, or one account or another, that no man did it; the reason was,

for his hour was not yet come;
the time appointed for his sufferings and death.

John 8:20 In-Context

18 I am, that bear witnessing of myself, and the Father that sent me, beareth witnessing of me.
19 Therefore they said to him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Neither ye know me, nor ye know my Father; if ye knew me, peradventure ye should know also my Father.
20 Jesus spake these words in the treasury, teaching in the temple; and no man took him, for his hour came not yet.
21 Therefore again Jesus said to them, Lo! I go, and ye shall seek me, and ye shall die in your sin; whither I go, ye be not able to come [whither I go, ye may not come].
22 Therefore the Jews said, Whether he shall slay himself, for he saith, Whither I go, ye be not able to come [Whither I go, ye may come]?
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.