John 8

1 But Yeshua went to the Mount of Olives.

2 At daybreak, he appeared again in the Temple Court, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.

3 The Torah-teachers and the P'rushim brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery and made her stand in the center of the group.

4 Then they said to him, "Rabbi, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.

5 Now in our Torah, Moshe commanded that such a woman be stoned to death. What do you say about it?"

6 They said this to trap him, so that they might have ground for bringing charges against him; but Yeshua bent down and began writing in the dust with his finger.

7 When they kept questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "The one of you who is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

8 Then he bent down and wrote in the dust again.

9 On hearing this, they began to leave, one by one, the older ones first, until he was left alone, with the woman still there.

10 Standing up, Yeshua said to her, "Where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11 She said, "No one, sir." Yeshua said, "Neither do I condemn you. Now go, and don't sin any more."

12 Yeshua spoke to them again: "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life."

13 So the P'rushim said to him, "Now you're testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid."

14 Yeshua answered them, "Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony is indeed valid; because I know where I came from and where I'm going; but you do not know where I came from or where I'm going.

15 You judge by merely human standards. As for me, I pass judgment on no one;

16 but if I were indeed to pass judgment, my judgment would be valid; because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the One who sent me.

17 And even in your Torah it is written that the testimony of two people is valid.

18 I myself testify on my own behalf, and so does the Father who sent me."

19 They said to him, "Where is this `father' of yours?" Yeshua answered, "You know neither me nor my Father; if you knew me, you would know my Father too."

20 He said these things when he was teaching in the Temple treasury room; yet no one arrested him, because his time had not yet come.

21 Again he told them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin -- where I am going, you cannot come."

22 The Judeans said, "Is he going to commit suicide? Is that what he means when he says, `Where I am going, you cannot come'?"

23 Yeshua said to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

24 This is why I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not trust that I AM [who I say I am], you will die in your sins."

25 At this, they said to him, "You? Who are you?" Yeshua answered, "Just what I've been telling you from the start.

26 There are many things I could say about you, and many judgments I could make. However, the One who sent me is true; so I say in the world only what I have heard from him."

27 They did not understand that he was talking to them about the Father.

28 So Yeshua said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM [who I say I am], and that of myself I do nothing, but say only what the Father has taught me.

29 Also, the One who sent me is still with me; he did not leave me to myself, because I always do what pleases him."

30 Many people who heard him say these things trusted in him.

31 So Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted him, "If you obey what I say, then you are really my talmidim,

32 you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

33 They answered, "We are the seed of Avraham and have never been slaves to anyone; so what do you mean by saying, `You will be set free'?"

34 Yeshua answered them, "Yes, indeed! I tell you that everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin.

35 Now a slave does not remain with a family forever, but a son does remain with it forever.

36 So if the Son frees you, you will really be free!

37 I know you are the seed of Avraham. Yet you are out to kill me, because what I am saying makes no headway in you.

38 I say what my Father has shown me; you do what your father has told you!"

39 They answered him, "Our father is Avraham." Yeshua replied, "If you are children of Avraham, then do the things Avraham did!

40 As it is, you are out to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Avraham did nothing like that!

41 You are doing the things your father does." "We're not illegitimate children!" they said to him. "We have only one Father -- God!"

42 Yeshua replied to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me; because I came out from God; and now I have arrived here. I did not come on my own; he sent me.

43 Why don't you understand what I'm saying? Because you can't bear to listen to my message.

44 You belong to your father, Satan, and you want to carry out your father's desires. From the start he was a murderer, and he has never stood by the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is speaking in character; because he is a liar -- indeed, the inventor of the lie!

45 But as for me, because I tell the truth you don't believe me.

46 Which one of you can show me where I'm wrong? If I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

47 Whoever belongs to God listens to what God says; the reason you don't listen is that you don't belong to God."

48 The Judeans answered him, "Aren't we right in saying you are from Shomron and have a demon?"

49 Yeshua replied, "Me? I have no demon. I am honoring my Father. But you dishonor me.

50 I am not seeking praise for myself. There is One who is seeking it, and he is the judge.

51 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever obeys my teaching will never see death."

52 The Judeans said to him, "Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Avraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, `Whoever obeys my teaching will never taste death.'

53 Avraham avinu died; you aren't greater than he, are you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?"

54 Yeshua answered, "If I praise myself, my praise counts for nothing. The One who is praising me is my Father, the very one about whom you keep saying, `He is our God.'

55 Now you have not known him, but I do know him; indeed, if I were to say that I don't know him, I would be a liar like you! But I do know him, and I obey his word.

56 Avraham, your father, was glad that he would see my day; then he saw it and was overjoyed."

57 "Why, you're not yet fifty years old," the Judeans replied, "and you have seen Avraham?"

58 Yeshua said to them, "Yes, indeed! Before Avraham came into being, I AM!"

59 At this, they picked up stones to throw at him; but Yeshua was hidden and left the Temple grounds.

John 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

The Pharisees and the adulteress. (1-11) Christ's discourse with the Pharisees. (12-59)

Verses 1-11 Christ neither found fault with the law, nor excused the prisoner's guilt; nor did he countenance the pretended zeal of the Pharisees. Those are self-condemned who judge others, and yet do the same thing. All who are any way called to blame the faults of others, are especially concerned to look to themselves, and keep themselves pure. In this matter Christ attended to the great work about which he came into the world, that was, to bring sinners to repentance; not to destroy, but to save. He aimed to bring, not only the accused to repentance, by showing her his mercy, but the prosecutors also, by showing them their sins; they thought to insnare him, he sought to convince and convert them. He declined to meddle with the magistrate's office. Many crimes merit far more severe punishment than they meet with; but we should not leave our own work, to take that upon ourselves to which we are not called. When Christ sent her away, it was with this caution, Go, and sin no more. Those who help to save the life of a criminal, should help to save the soul with the same caution. Those are truly happy, whom Christ does not condemn. Christ's favour to us in the forgiveness of past sins should prevail with us, Go then, and sin no more.

Verses 12-16 Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more. What a dark dungeon would the world be without the sun! So would it be without Jesus, by whom light came into the world. Those who follow Christ shall not walk in darkness. They shall not be left without the truths which are necessary to keep them from destroying error, and the directions in the way of duty, necessary to keep them from condemning sin.

Verses 17-20 If we knew Christ better, we should know the Father better. Those become vain in their imaginations concerning God, who will not learn of Christ. Those who know not his glory and grace, know not the Father that sent him. The time of our departure out of the world, depends upon God. Our enemies cannot hasten it any sooner, nor can our friends delay it any longer, than the time appointed of the Father. Every true believer can look up and say with pleasure, My times are in thy hand, and better there than in my own. To all God's purposes there is a time.

Verses 21-29 Those that live in unbelief, are for ever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine nature, so that his doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ's grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ's grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honours to himself.

Verses 30-36 Such power attended our Lord's words, that many were convinced, and professed to believe in him. He encouraged them to attend his teaching, rely on his promises, and obey his commands, notwithstanding all temptations to evil. Thus doing, they would be his disciples truly; and by the teaching of his word and Spirit, they would learn where their hope and strength lay. Christ spoke of spiritual liberty; but carnal hearts feel no other grievances than those that molest the body, and distress their worldly affairs. Talk to them of their liberty and property, tell them of waste committed upon their lands, or damage done to their houses, and they understand you very well; but speak of the bondage of sin, captivity to Satan, and liberty by Christ; tell of wrong done to their precious souls, and the hazard of their eternal welfare, then you bring strange things to their ears. Jesus plainly reminded them, that the man who practised any sin, was, in fact, a slave to that sin, which was the case with most of them. Christ in the gospel offers us freedom, he has power to do this, and those whom Christ makes free are really so. But often we see persons disputing about liberty of every kind, while they are slaves to some sinful lust.

Verses 37-40 Our Lord opposed the proud and vain confidence of these Jews, showing that their descent from Abraham could not profit those of a contrary spirit to him. Where the word of God has no place, no good is to be expected; room is left there for all wickedness. A sick person who turns from his physician, and will take neither remedies nor food, is past hope of recovery. The truth both heals and nourishes the hearts of those who receive it. The truth taught by philosophers has not this power and effect, but only the truth of God. Those who claim the privileges of Abraham, must do Abraham's works; must be strangers and sojourners in this world; keep up the worship of God in their families, and always walk before God.

Verses 41-47 Satan prompts men to excesses by which they murder themselves and others, while what he puts into the mind tends to ruin men's souls. He is the great promoter of falsehood of every kind. He is a liar, all his temptations are carried on by his calling evil good, and good evil, and promising freedom in sin. He is the author of all lies; whom liars resemble and obey, with whom all liars shall have their portion for ever. The special lusts of the devil are spiritual wickedness, the lusts of the mind, and corrupt reasonings, pride and envy, wrath and malice, enmity to good, and enticing others to evil. By the truth, here understand the revealed will of God as to the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, the truth Christ was now preaching, and which the Jews opposed.

Verses 48-53 Observe Christ's disregard of the applause of men. those who are dead to the praises of men can bear their contempt. God will seek the honour of all who do not seek their own. In these verses we have the doctrine of the everlasting happiness of believers. We have the character of a believer; he is one that keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus. And the privilege of a believer; he shall by no means see death for ever. Though now they cannot avoid seeing death, and tasting it also, yet they shall shortly be where it will be no more forever, ( Exodus 14:13 ) .

Verses 54-59 Christ and all that are his, depend upon God for honour. Men may be able to dispute about God, yet may not know him. Such as know not God, and obey not the gospel of Christ, are put ( 2 Thessalonians. 1:8 ) earnestly desire to know more of him. Those who discern the dawn of the light of the Sun of Righteousness, wish to see his rising. "Before Abraham was, I AM." This speaks Abraham a creature, and our Lord the Creator; well, therefore, might he make himself greater than Abraham. I AM, is the name of God, Ex. 3:14 ; it speaks his self-existence; he is the First and the Last, ever the same, ( Revelation 1:8 ) . Thus he was not only before Abraham, but before all worlds, ( Proverbs 8:23 , John 1:1 ) . As Mediator, he was the appointed Messiah, long before Abraham; the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, ( Revelation 13:8 ) . The Lord Jesus was made of God Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, to Adam, and Abel, and all that lived and died by faith in him, before Abraham. The Jews were about to stone Jesus for blasphemy, but he withdrew; by his miraculous power he passed through them unhurt. Let us stedfastly profess what we know and believe concerning God; and if heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall rejoice in looking forward to that day when the Saviour shall appear in glory, to the confusion of his enemies, and to complete the salvation of all who believe in him.