‏ John 8

The Woman Caught in Adultery

This section tells the story of Jesus, the religious leaders, and a woman accused of adultery. The leaders try to trap Jesus with a difficult question about the law of Moses, but Jesus responds with wisdom and compassion. The event teaches about mercy, judgment, and the importance of self-examination before condemning others.

v. 1: Jesus went to the Mount of Olives (John 8:1 ^a). This was a place where he often prayed and found quiet.

v. 2: Early in the morning, he returned to the temple. Many people came to him, and he sat down and taught them (John 8:2 ^b). Jesus was always ready to teach those who wanted to learn.

v. 3: The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. They put her in the middle of the group (John 8:3 ^c). They wanted to embarrass her and use the situation to test Jesus.

v. 4: They said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery” (John 8:4 ^d). They wanted to make sure everyone knew what had happened and that there were witnesses.

v. 5: They continued, “In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (John 8:5; Leviticus 20:10 ^e; Deuteronomy 22:22 ^f). They were trying to trap Jesus, hoping he would contradict the law or show a lack of mercy.

v. 6: Jesus knew they were testing him, hoping to accuse him. Instead of answering right away, he bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger (John 8:6 ^g). This act showed calmness and wisdom, making the accusers think about their own actions.

v. 7: When they continued to ask him, Jesus stood up and said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7 ^h). Jesus reminded them that everyone is a sinner and must examine their own hearts before judging others (Romans 2:1 ⁱ).

v. 8: After saying this, he stooped down again and wrote on the ground (John 8:8 ^j). This gave the accusers time to think about what he had just said.

v. 9: When they heard his words, they began to leave one by one, beginning with the oldest. Soon, only Jesus was left with the woman standing before him . The accusers’ consciences convicted them, and they realized they could not condemn her without condemning themselves.

v. 10: Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10 ^k). He wanted her to see that her accusers were gone.

v. 11: She replied, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11 ^l). Jesus showed mercy but also called her to repentance and a new life.

This story teaches us that while sin is serious, God is merciful and calls us to repentance. We should not be quick to judge others, but should look at ourselves and show compassion, just as Jesus did.

Jesus, the Light of the World

In this section, Jesus calls himself the Light of the World. He promises that those who follow him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. The Pharisees challenge his claim, questioning his authority and testimony. Jesus answers by declaring that his testimony is valid because he knows where he came from and where he is going. He also points out their ignorance of both him and the Father, and explains the difference between human judgment and divine truth.

v. 12: Jesus spoke again to the people, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 ^m). Jesus says that he is the source of spiritual truth and guidance. Those who believe in him will not be lost or confused, but will have true life and understanding. This is like the prophecy in Isaiah 60:1 ⁿ: “Arise, shine, for your light has come!”

v. 13: The Pharisees challenged him, saying, “You are testifying about yourself; your testimony is not valid” (John 8:13 ^o). According to Jewish law, a person’s claim must be supported by other witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15 ^p). They refuse to accept Jesus’ words, because they are judging by human standards.

v. 14: Jesus answered, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going” . Jesus says his authority comes from his relationship with God the Father. He knows his divine origin and destiny, but the Pharisees are spiritually blind and do not understand.

v. 15: Jesus continues, “You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me” (John 8:15-16 ^q). Jesus does not judge people in the same way humans do. If he does judge, his judgment is perfect, because it comes from God.

v. 16: “In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me” (John 8:17-18 ^r). Jesus points out that his claims are supported by God the Father, so they meet the requirements of the law.

v. 17: The Pharisees ask, “Where is your father?” Jesus replies, “You do not know me or my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19 ^s). Jesus tells them that their lack of faith keeps them from knowing God. To know Jesus is to know God the Father.

v. 18: These words Jesus spoke while teaching in the temple courts, but no one seized him, because his time had not yet come (John 8:20 ^t). Even though the Pharisees were angry, they could not arrest Jesus, because God’s plan was not complete.

In summary, Jesus declares himself as the Light of the World, bringing spiritual truth and life. He teaches that knowing him is the same as knowing God, and that faith in him brings people out of spiritual darkness.

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Jesus Warns of Coming Judgment

In this section, Jesus warns the people that he will soon depart, and that those who do not believe in him will die in their sins. He explains that he is from above and they are from below, and that true life is found only in him. Jesus also predicts his crucifixion and shows that those who reject him cannot come where he is going. Many do not understand his words, but some come to believe in him as he speaks about his relationship with the Father.

v. 21: Jesus tells the people, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come” (John 8:21 ^u). He warns them that if they do not believe in him, they will be separated from him forever and will not be able to join him in heaven. This is a serious warning about the consequences of rejecting Jesus.

v. 22: The Jews misunderstand his words and ask, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” (John 8:22 ^v). They think Jesus is talking about death in a physical way, but he is really talking about spiritual separation from God.

v. 23: Jesus explains, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23 ^w). He shows the difference between himself and them. Jesus comes from heaven, but they are thinking only about earthly things. To be saved, they need to see that Jesus is not just another person, but the Son of God.

v. 24: He continues, “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 8:24 ^x). Jesus says that faith in him is the only way to be forgiven and to have eternal life. Without faith in Christ, people remain guilty and separated from God.

v. 25: The people ask him, “Who are you?” Jesus answers, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning” (John 8:25 ^y). He reminds them that he has always been honest about his identity as the one sent from God.

v. 26: Jesus says, “I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him” (John 8:26 ^z). He speaks for God the Father and shares his message of truth, even when people do not want to listen.

v. 27: They still do not understand that he is talking about God the Father (John 8:27 ^aa). People often fail to see who Jesus really is when they are only thinking about earthly things and not listening with faith.

v. 28: Jesus says, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me” (John 8:28 ^ab). He predicts his crucifixion (“lifted up”) and says that through his death, people will realize that he truly is the Messiah sent from God.

v. 29: Jesus adds, “And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him” . Jesus always obeys the Father perfectly, and God never abandons him. This shows the close relationship between Jesus and God the Father.

v. 30: As Jesus speaks these words, many people come to believe in him (John 8:30 ^ac). Even when others reject Jesus, some respond with faith and become his true followers.

In summary, Jesus warns about the seriousness of rejecting him and the reality of dying in sin. He calls people to believe in him as the only way to be forgiven and to receive eternal life. Those who accept his message are welcomed, but those who ignore him will remain separated from God. Jesus’ words remind us that faith in him is necessary for salvation.

The Truth Will Set You Free

In this section, Jesus speaks to the Jews who had begun to believe in him. He explains what it means to be his true disciple: it is not just believing for a moment, but continuing in his teaching. Jesus shows that real freedom comes from knowing and obeying the truth, and that true freedom is only possible through him. He also explains that everyone who sins is a slave to sin, but he, the Son, has the power to set people free.

v. 31: Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” (John 8:31 ^ad). It is not enough to believe for a little while; true disciples keep following Jesus and obeying his words.

v. 32: Jesus continues, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 ^ae). By staying with Jesus’ teaching, people come to know the truth about God and themselves. This truth brings real freedom from sin and lies.

v. 33: The Jews answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” (John 8:33 ^af). They are confused and think Jesus is talking about political slavery. They are proud of being Abraham’s descendants and do not see their spiritual need for freedom.

v. 34: Jesus replies, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34 ^ag). Jesus explains that the real slavery is not to another nation, but to sin. Anyone who lives in sin is under its control, like a slave.

v. 35: “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever” (John 8:35 ^ah). Slaves can be sent away at any time, but a child of the family is always at home. Sinners are like slaves, but Jesus offers to make them sons and daughters in God’s family.

v. 36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 ^ai). Only Jesus, the Son of God, has the authority and power to set people free from sin and to make them true children of God.

v. 37: Jesus says, “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word” (John 8:37 ^aj). Jesus points out that, even though they are physically descended from Abraham, their hearts are not open to his message. They want to harm Jesus instead of listening to him.

Children of Abraham or Children of the Devil?

In this section, Jesus continues his conversation with the Jews who claim to be Abraham’s descendants. He challenges their claims by showing that true children of Abraham would act as Abraham did. Jesus exposes their real motives and reveals that their opposition to him comes from following a different "father"—the devil. The passage teaches about spiritual heritage and the difference between outward claims and inward reality.

v. 38: Jesus says, “I speak what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father” (John 8:38 ^ak). He draws a contrast between himself and the people he is talking to. Jesus receives his message and authority from God the Father, but his listeners act according to what they have learned from another source. Jesus highlights that their actions reflect their spiritual father, not Abraham or God (John 8:38 ^al).

v. 39: They respond, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus replies, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham” . He means that true children of Abraham not only have his blood, but also imitate his faith and obedience (Romans 4:12 ^am). Since they are trying to kill Jesus, they are not acting like Abraham. Abraham believed and obeyed God, but these people reject the truth and oppose God’s messenger (John 8:39 ^an).

v. 40: Jesus points out, “But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this” (John 8:40 ^ao). Abraham welcomed God’s messengers and believed God’s word, but these people reject and oppose the truth, showing they are not truly Abraham’s spiritual children. Their actions reveal their spiritual separation from Abraham’s faith (John 8:40 ^ap).

v. 41: Jesus continues, “You do the deeds of your father.” They protest, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God” (John 8:41 ^aq). They insist that God is their true father, but Jesus is exposing the difference between outward religion and inward reality. Their actions show they are following a different spiritual father, not God (John 8:41 ^ar).

v. 42: Jesus says, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me” (John 8:42 ^as). Love for Jesus proves love for God. Since they reject Jesus, they show that God is not truly their Father. True spiritual children of God recognize and love Jesus as the one sent by God (John 8:42 ^at).

v. 43: Jesus asks, “Why do you not understand my speech?” He answers, “Because you cannot bear to hear my word” (John 8:43 ^au). Their hearts are closed to the truth because they do not want to accept or obey it. Spiritual blindness comes from a heart that resists God. They are unable to hear Jesus’ message because of their unwillingness to accept the truth (John 8:43 ^av).

v. 44: Jesus boldly says, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him” (John 8:44 ^aw). Jesus teaches that those who oppose God’s truth and seek to harm others show the devil’s character. The devil is the father of lies and murder, and those who follow him imitate his ways. Their rejection of Jesus and their desire to kill him reflect the devil’s influence (John 8:44 ^ax).

v. 45: Jesus says, “Because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.” Their rejection of Jesus’ message is rooted in their attachment to lies and their resistance to God’s truth. They reject the truth because it exposes their sin and challenges their false beliefs (John 8:45 ^ay).

v. 46: He challenges them, “Which of you convicts me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?” (John 8:46 ^az). Jesus is sinless, and no one can point to any wrongdoing in him. This shows that their rejection of him is not because of any fault in him, but because of their hearts. Their refusal to believe is a rejection of the truth itself (John 8:46 ^ba).

v. 47: Jesus concludes, “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God” (John 8:47 ^bb). Those who belong to God listen to his voice. Their refusal to accept Jesus’ teaching shows that they do not truly know God. True spiritual children of God respond to his word with faith and obedience (John 8:47 ^bc).

Christ's Discourse with the Pharisees

This section describes a tense conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees. The religious leaders became very hostile, using harsh words to insult Jesus. Jesus, however, answered them with calmness and truth. He showed the difference between their hatred and his mission to honor God and save people.

v. 48: The Pharisees, angry that Jesus pointed out their refusal to listen to him (John 8:43,47 ^bd), insulted him by calling him a Samaritan and saying he had a demon. To them, being called a Samaritan meant being an enemy of the Jewish people, and saying he had a demon meant they thought he was crazy or evil. This was a serious insult. Throughout history, good people have often been given bad names to turn others against them (2 Kings 9:11; Hosea 9:7 ^be).

v. 49: Jesus replied calmly, “I do not have a demon.” He did not bother to answer the insult about being a Samaritan, but he did defend himself against the more serious charge. Jesus explained that he honored his Father, and this proved he was not controlled by evil. People who truly want to honor God can endure unfair criticism from others. Jesus felt the pain of their insults, but he stayed focused on his mission (Luke 10:33; Acts 26:25 ^bf).

v. 50: Jesus said, “I do not seek my own glory. There is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.” Jesus was not looking for praise from people or for his own benefit. He trusted God to defend his honor and to judge those who did wrong. If we care more about God’s opinion than about what people say, we can have peace even when others insult us (Proverbs 25:27; Psalm 37:13-15 ^bg).

Jesus Promises Eternal Life

In this section, Jesus makes a bold promise to those who keep his word: they will never see death. The religious leaders misunderstand his meaning, thinking he is talking about physical death. Jesus explains that his authority comes from the Father, and he reveals his eternal existence. The passage ends with a powerful declaration of his divinity, which leads the leaders to try to stone him.

v. 51: Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:51 ^bh). He is speaking about eternal life, not just about physical life. Those who believe in him and obey his teaching will have spiritual life forever, even though they may die physically (John 11:25-26 ^bi).

v. 52: The Jews respond, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death’” (John 8:52 ^bj). They misunderstand and think Jesus is claiming his followers will never die physically. They use the example of Abraham and the prophets, who all died, to challenge Jesus’ words.

v. 53: They continue, “Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” (John 8:53 ^bk). The leaders are shocked. They think Jesus is making himself more important than the greatest figures in their history.

v. 54: Jesus answers, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’” (John 8:54 ^bl). Jesus says he is not seeking his own honor. God the Father, whom they claim to worship, is the one who gives him glory and authority.

v. 55: Jesus continues, “But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word” (John 8:55 ^bm). Jesus boldly claims a special relationship with God. He says the religious leaders do not truly know God, but he does, and he is faithful to God’s commands.

v. 56: Jesus says, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:56 ^bn). Jesus teaches that Abraham looked forward to the coming of the Messiah and was joyful about it. This means Jesus’ mission was part of God’s plan from long ago (Hebrews 11:13 ^bo).

v. 57: The Jews object, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” (John 8:57 ^bp). They are confused and take Jesus’ words literally. They do not understand how Jesus could have known Abraham, who lived many centuries earlier.

v. 58: Jesus replies, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58 ^bq). Jesus claims to have existed before Abraham and uses the name “I am,” which is the name God used for himself in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14 ^br). This is a clear statement that Jesus is eternal and one with God.

v. 59: When the leaders hear this, they pick up stones to throw at Jesus, but he hides himself and leaves the temple (John 8:59 ^bs). They understand that Jesus is claiming to be God, and they see it as blasphemy. But Jesus escapes from them because his time has not yet come.

In summary, Jesus promises eternal life to those who keep his word. He reveals his unique relationship with God the Father and his eternal existence. The religious leaders reject his claims, but Jesus’ words continue to offer hope and life to all who believe in him.