John 8

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

An Adulteress Forgiven

2 At dawn He went to the temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them.

3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center.

4 "Teacher," they said to Him, "this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.

5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?"

6 They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger.

7 When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, "The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her."

8 Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.

9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center.

10 When Jesus stood up, He said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11 "No one, Lord,"^[a] she answered. "Neither do I condemn you," said Jesus. "Go, and from now on do not sin any more." ]^[b]

The Light of the World

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life."

13 So the Pharisees said to Him, "You are testifying about Yourself. Your testimony is not valid."^[c]

14 "Even if I testify about Myself," Jesus replied, "My testimony is valid, ^[d] because I know where I came from and where I'm going. But you don't know where I come from or where I'm going.

15 You judge by human standards. ^[e] I judge no one.

16 And if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me [judge together].

17 Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid.

18 I am the One who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me."

19 Then they asked Him, "Where is Your Father?" "You know neither Me nor My Father," Jesus answered. "If you knew Me, you would also know My Father."

20 He spoke these words by the treasury,^[f] while teaching in the temple complex. But no one seized Him, because His hour^[g] had not come.

Jesus Predicts His Departure

21 Then He said to them again, "I'm going away; you will look for Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I'm going, you cannot come."

22 So the Jews said again, "He won't kill Himself, will He, since He says, 'Where I'm going, you cannot come' ?"

23 "You are from below," He told them, "I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 Therefore I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am [He], ^[h] you will die in your sins."

25 "Who are You?" they questioned. "Precisely what I've been telling you from the very beginning," Jesus told them.

26 "I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the One who sent Me is true, and what I have heard from Him-these things I tell the world."

27 They did not know He was speaking to them about the Father.

28 So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [He], and that I do nothing on My own. But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things.

29 The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him."

Truth and Freedom

30 As He was saying these things, many believed in Him.

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, ^[i] you really are My disciples.

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

33 "We are descendants^[j] of Abraham," they answered Him, "and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, 'You will become free'?"

34 Jesus responded, "I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.

35 A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever.

36 Therefore if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

37 I know you are descendants ^[k] of Abraham, but you are trying to kill Me because My word ^[l] is not welcome among you.

38 I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father, ^[m] and therefore you do what you have heard from your father."

39 "Our father is Abraham!" they replied. "If you were Abraham's children," Jesus told them, "you would do what Abraham did.

40 But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this!

41 You're doing what your father does." "We weren't born of sexual immorality," they said. "We have one Father-God."

42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn't come on My own, but He sent Me.

43 Why don't you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to ^[n] My word.

44 You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, ^[o] because he is a liar and the father of liars. ^[p]

45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

46 Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don't you believe Me?

47 The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God."

Jesus and Abraham

48 The Jews responded to Him, "Aren't we right in saying that You're a Samaritan and have a demon?"

49 "I do not have a demon," Jesus answered. "On the contrary, I honor My Father and you dishonor Me.

50 I do not seek My glory; the One who seeks it also judges.

51 I assure you: If anyone keeps My word, he will never see death-ever!"

52 Then the Jews said, "Now we know You have a demon. Abraham died and so did the prophets. You say, 'If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste death-ever!'

53 Are You greater than our father Abraham who died? Even the prophets died. Who do You pretend to be?"^[q]

54 "If I glorify Myself," Jesus answered, "My glory is nothing. My Father-you say about Him, 'He is our God'-He is the One who glorifies Me.

55 You've never known Him, but I know Him. If I were to say I don't know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.

56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see My day; he saw it and rejoiced."

57 The Jews replied, "You aren't 50 years old yet, and You've seen Abraham?"^[r]

58 Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Before Abraham was, I am." ^[s]

59 At that, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden^[t] and went out of the temple complex.^[u]

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Sir; Jn 4:15,49; 5:7; 6:34; 9:36
• [b]. Other mss omit bracketed text
• [c]. The law of Moses required at least 2 witnesses to make a claim legally valid (v. 17).
• [d]. Or true
• [e]. Lit You judge according to the flesh
• [f]. A place for offerings to be given, perhaps in the court of women
• [g]. The time of His sacrificial death and exaltation; Jn 2:4; 7:30; 12:23,27; 13:1; 17:1
• [h]. Jesus claimed to be deity, but the Pharisees didn't understand His meaning.
• [i]. Or My teaching, or My message
• [j]. Or offspring; lit seed; Jn 7:42
• [k]. Or offspring; lit seed; Jn 7:42
• [l]. Or My teaching, or My message
• [m]. Other mss read of My Father
• [n]. Or cannot hear
• [o]. Lit from his own things
• [p]. Lit of it
• [q]. Lit Who do You make Yourself?
• [r]. Other mss read and Abraham has seen You?
• [s]. I AM is the name God gave Himself at the burning bush; Ex 3:13-14; see note at Jn 8:24.
• [t]. Or Jesus hid Himself
• [u]. Other mss add and having gone through their midst, He passed by