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Book of John - Chapter 8 - Verse 21

8:21
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

Meaning

In this verse from the book of John, Jesus is speaking to a group of people and foretelling his impending departure from them. He informs them that they will seek him but will not be able to find him, and that they will die in their sins. He is implying that without him, they will be unable to escape the consequences of their sins and will perish eternally. By saying "whither I go, ye cannot come," Jesus is alluding to his eventual crucifixion and ascension to heaven, which the people will not be able to follow him to. This verse serves as a warning to those who reject Jesus and choose to live in sin, that apart from him there is no salvation. It emphasizes the importance of turning to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness of sins in order to attain eternal life with him in heaven.

Theological Overview

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse where Jesus says, "I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come," it is essential to understand the context of the passage. In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders who were questioning his identity and authority. He is warning them that if they continue to reject him and refuse to believe in him, they will die in their sins. By stating that they cannot come to where he is going, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of faith in him as the only way to salvation.

Furthermore, a word study of this verse reveals that the term "sins" carries a profound theological significance. In the original Greek text, the word used for "sins" is "hamartia," which not only refers to individual transgressions but also signifies a state of separation from God. Therefore, Jesus' statement highlights the consequences of living a life devoid of faith and the necessity of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God through him.

American Standard Version

He said therefore again unto them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin: whither I go, ye cannot come.
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