John 8:28 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of John, where Jesus is having a dialogue with the Pharisees and professing who he is to them.

In this verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and predicting his crucifixion. He is stating that when they have "lifted up" or crucified the Son of man, they will come to realize that he is indeed the Messiah. He also asserts that he does nothing of his own accord but only speaks and acts in accordance with the teachings of his Father.

The theme of this verse is the divinity and Messiahship of Jesus. Throughout the book of John, Jesus makes several claims about his identity, and this verse is one of them. By stating that the Pharisees will know who he is once they have crucified him, Jesus is foreshadowing his resurrection and the realization of his true nature as the Son of God.

The context of this verse is important to understand its full meaning. Prior to this statement, Jesus had been teaching in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to him. They were trying to trap Jesus by asking him if the woman should be stoned according to the Law of Moses. Jesus famously responds by saying, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). This leads to the crowd dispersing, and Jesus telling the woman to go and sin no more. This incident highlights Jesus' mercy, forgiveness, and grace.

The Pharisees continue to challenge Jesus, and he responds with several teachings, including the statement in John 8:28. This dialogue ultimately leads to a heated exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees, with Jesus asserting his divine authority and the Pharisees rejecting his claims. It is within this contentious atmosphere that Jesus makes the statement about his crucifixion, further solidifying his stance as the Son of God.

Symbolism plays a significant role in this verse. The act of "lifting up" the Son of man refers to the crucifixion, where Jesus will be raised up on the cross. This act becomes the ultimate sign of Jesus' divinity, as his resurrection will confirm his identity as the Messiah. Additionally, the phrase "I do nothing of myself" emphasizes Jesus' submission to the will of the Father and his obedience to God's teachings. This highlights the perfect unity between Jesus and the Father, as well as his role as the obedient Son.

Overall, John 8:28 is a powerful declaration of Jesus' identity and his willingness to fulfill the ultimate purpose of his earthly ministry through his crucifixion and resurrection. It serves as a reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love for humanity and his unwavering commitment to the will of the Father. This verse invites believers to reflect on the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection and to embrace the truth of his divinity. It also challenges skeptics to consider the evidence of Jesus' identity as the Son of God, as foretold by Jesus himself.