John Chapter 8
Share
John 8: Light of the WorldThe Woman Caught in Adultery[Note: John 7:53–8:11 is absent from the earliest manuscripts. Many modern editions place it in brackets or footnotes. The ESV includes it with this note: “The earliest manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11.” The story aligns with Jesus’ character, but its placement varies in ancient copies.]“They went each to his own house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives” (John 7:53–8:1, ESV). Early morning, He returns to the temple. All the people come; He sits and teaches. The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery, set her in the midst, and say, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (John 8:4-5). They test Him, seeking grounds to accuse.Jesus bends down and writes with His finger on the ground. They persist. He stands and says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). He bends again and writes. One by one, from oldest to youngest, they leave. Jesus straightens up: “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She answers, “No one, Lord.” He says, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). Mercy and command walk together.I Am the LightJesus speaks to the Pharisees: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). They object, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true” (John 8:13). Jesus answers, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14). They judge by human standards; He judges no one yet. If He does judge, His judgment is true because He is not alone—the Father who sent Him stands with Him (John 8:15-16).He adds, “In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me” (John 8:17-18). They ask, “Where is your Father?” Jesus replies, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19). He speaks these words in the treasury, in the temple; no one seizes Him, because His hour has not yet come.You Will Die in Your SinsAgain He says, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come” (John 8:21). The Jews speculate, “Will he kill himself?” Jesus continues, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:23-24).They ask, “Who are you?” Jesus answers, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning” (John 8:25). He has much to say and judge, but He speaks only what He hears from the Father. They do not understand He speaks of the Father.Lifted Up“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he” (John 8:28). He does nothing on His own; He says what the Father taught Him. “The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him” (John 8:29). Many believe in Him.The Truth Will Set You FreeTo the Jews who believed, Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). They protest, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved.” Jesus replies, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).Abraham’s Children?“I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you” (John 8:37). He speaks what He has seen with the Father; they do what they have heard from their father. They claim, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus counters, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did” (John 8:39). They seek to kill a man who tells truth from God—Abraham did not do this. “You are doing the works your father did” (John 8:41).They insist, “We have one Father—even God.” Jesus answers, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God... Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word” (John 8:42-43).Your Father the Devil“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him... He is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Because Jesus tells the truth, they do not believe Him. “Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not of God” (John 8:46-47).Before Abraham WasThe Jews accuse, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (John 8:48). Jesus denies honoring Himself; the Father honors Him, whom they claim as God. “Whoever keeps my word will never see death” (John 8:51). They retort, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died... Are you greater than our father Abraham?” (John 8:52-53).Jesus answers, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me... Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:54-56). They scoff, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus declares, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). They pick up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hides Himself and leaves the temple.