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John8

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1but Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst,

4they say unto him, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act.

5Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her?

6And this they said, trying him, that they might have whereof to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.

7But when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8And again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.

9And they, when they heard it, went out one by one, beginning from the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst.

10And Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto her, Woman, where are they? did no man condemn thee?

11And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]

12Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.

13The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true.

14Jesus answered and said unto them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I come, or whither I go.

15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

16Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

17Yea and in your law it is written, that the witness of two men is true.

18I am he that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

19They said therefore unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye know neither me, nor my Father: if ye knew me, ye would know my Father also.

20These words spake he in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man took him; because his hour was not yet come.

21He said therefore again unto them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin: whither I go, ye cannot come.

22The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come?

23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

25They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? Jesus said unto them, Even that which I have also spoken unto you from the beginning.

26I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world.

27They perceived not that he spake to them of the Father.

28Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.

29And he that sent me is with me; he hath not left me alone; for I do always the things that are pleasing to him.

30As he spake these things, many believed on him.

31Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;

32and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33They answered unto him, We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.

35And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever.

36If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.

38I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father.

39They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham.

41Ye do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.

43Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.

44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.

45But because I say the truth, ye believe me not.

46Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?

47He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God.

48The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?

49Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me.

50But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.

52The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.

53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?

54Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God;

55and ye have not known him: but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be like unto you, a liar: but I know him, and keep his word.

56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.

57The Jews therefore said unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am.

59They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 8.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The Pharisees and the adulteress. (1–11). Christ's discourse with the Pharisees. (12–59).

vv1-11

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.

vv12-16

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.

vv17-20

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.

Cross References

John 8
v5Leviticus 20:10thematic

The Mosaic Law prescribing death for adultery, cited by the scribes to trap Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

The law requiring the hands of the witnesses to be first in executing the condemned.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v35Galatians 4:30thematic

Explicitly connects casting out the slave-woman's son with Jesus' warning that servants do not abide forever.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v38John 8:44thematic

Directly identifies the 'father' of Jesus' opponents, whose desires they do, as the devil.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v58Exodus 3:14allusion

Jesus claims the divine name 'I AM', expressing self-existence and eternity.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v2Luke 21:37thematic

Parallel describing Jesus lodging at the Mount of Olives and teaching early at the temple.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

The Mosaic statute commanding that both the adulterer and adulteress be put to death.

Supported by JFB

v5Ezekiel 16:40thematic

Prophetic description of execution by stoning for those who commit spiritual or physical adultery.

Supported by JFB

v21John 7:34thematic

Parallels Jesus' solemn warning that they will seek Him and be unable to come where He is.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v28John 3:14thematic

Jesus uses the same specific terminology of being 'lifted up' to signify His crucifixion.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v34Romans 6:16thematic

Echoes Christ's precise teaching that yielding to sin makes one a slave to that sin.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v56Hebrews 11:13thematic

Abraham saw Christ's day and promises afar off by faith, rejoicing in them.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v58John 1:1thematic

Asserts Christ's absolute, pre-existent deity before time and creation began.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v11Luke 12:14contrast

Jesus refuses to act as a civil judge or divider, preserving His spiritual mission.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v13John 5:31-47thematic

Jesus' extensive discourse on the validity of His self-testimony and the Father's witness.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v15John 7:24thematic

Jesus warns against judging according to appearance/flesh rather than righteous judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole

The legal requirement that a matter must be established by two or three witnesses.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v23John 3:31thematic

Contrast between Him who comes 'from above' and those who are 'of the earth'.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

Affirms that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the freedom Christ promises.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v35Genesis 21:10typology

The Old Testament type of Ishmael, the slave's son, being cast out of the house.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v35Hebrews 3:6contrast

Contrasts Moses as a servant in the house with Christ as the Son over His house.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v36Galatians 5:1thematic

Exhorts believers to stand fast in the liberty with which Christ has made us free.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v39Romans 4:12thematic

Explicates the concept of doing 'the works of Abraham' by walking in his steps of faith.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v44Genesis 3:15thematic

The foundational prophecy of enmity between the serpent's seed and the woman's seed.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v461 Peter 2:22thematic

Affirms Christ's absolute sinlessness; He did no sin, nor was guile found.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v51John 11:25thematic

Believers in Christ will never experience spiritual and eternal death.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v56Genesis 22:18thematic

Abraham received the promise of blessing for all nations in his Seed.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v59Leviticus 24:16thematic

The Mosaic law commanded stoning for blasphemy, which the Jews charged Him with.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v59John 10:31thematic

The Jews again take up stones because of His explicit claims to deity.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v7Romans 2:1-3thematic

Condemns those who judge others while practicing the very same sins themselves.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v11John 5:14thematic

Identical charge given to a healed man to sin no more lest worse happen.

Supported by JFB

v12John 9:5thematic

Jesus reiterates His identity as the Light of the World during His earthly ministry.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v15John 3:17thematic

Affirms that God did not send His Son to condemn the world but to save.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v28John 12:32-34thematic

Discusses the crowd's confusion over the lifting up of the Son of man.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v31John 15:4-9thematic

Jesus expands on 'abiding' (continuing) in His word as the key to true discipleship.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v33Matthew 3:9thematic

John the Baptist similarly warns against relying on the physical claim 'We have Abraham as our father.'

Supported by John Calvin, JFB