John 8:22

Will he kill himself? The form of the question in Greek shows that a negative answer is expected. The suggestion is very different from that of ch. 7:35. Some have conjectured that the Jews are making reference to “the darkest place in Hades,” to which, Josephus (War iii. 8. 5 [375]) declares, suicides are consigned. The place would be inaccessible to the living.

Their inquiry was not entirely beside the point. Jesus would die, and His death would place Him beyond their reach. But He would go to heaven, a place which, in their impenitence, they would never reach, not to Hades as they may have intended to imply. Their question in ch. 7:35 was likewise vaguely prophetic. Following His death His emissaries were to go to the Jews dispersed among the Gentiles, and also teach the Gentiles (Acts 1:8).