Albert Barnes Commentary John 8:22

"The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come?" — John 8:22 (ASV)

Will he kill himself? It is difficult to know whether this question was asked from ignorance or malice. Self-murder was regarded then, as it is now, as one of the greatest crimes; and it is not improbable that they asked this question with mingled hatred and contempt. "He is a deceiver; he has broken the law of Moses; he is mad, and it is probable he will go on and kill himself." If this was their meaning, we see the wonderful patience of Jesus in enduring the hostility of sinners; and as he bore contempt without returning insult for insult, so should we.