People's New Testament Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 8:1 Christ Teaching in Jerusalem
SUMMARY OF JOHN 8: The Woman Taken in Adultery. The Light of the World. The Father's Witness. Freedom by the Truth. Abraham's Seed. The Son of Man before Abraham. Went unto the mount of Olives. For the night, as he was wont to do the last week of his life. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 8:3 The scribes and Pharisees. The scribes were theologians. They brought this woman to Jesus for trial to see what he would decide, and to criticize him. They wished grounds for charges. (Joh 8:6).
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 8:5 Moses in the law commanded us. See De 22:22 Le 20:10.
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 8:6 Jesus stooped down, and... wrote. As though to say he understood their purposes and would pay no attention to them. This is the only time in the New Testament that our Lord is described as writing.
So 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. 8:7-9 He that is without sin among you. When they persisted, saying, What sayest thou ? he said what was an awful rebuke. They knew that he knew their lives, that they were as guilty as the woman they had brought. They forgot the demand of Moses that the witnesses should cast the first stone (De 17:5-7), and his answer was like a bolt of lightning. Covered with shame, when he stooped and wrote again, they went out one by one.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 8:7-9 He that is without sin among you. When they persisted, saying, What sayest thou ? he said what was an awful rebuke. They knew that he knew their lives, that they were as guilty as the woman they had brought. They forgot the demand of Moses that the witnesses should cast the first stone (De 17:5-7), and his answer was like a bolt of lightning. Covered with shame, when he stooped and wrote again, they went out one by one.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 8:7-9 He that is without sin among you. When they persisted, saying, What sayest thou ? he said what was an awful rebuke. They knew that he knew their lives, that they were as guilty as the woman they had brought. They forgot the demand of Moses that the witnesses should cast the first stone (De 17:5-7), and his answer was like a bolt of lightning. Covered with shame, when he stooped and wrote again, they went out one by one.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 8:7-9 He that is without sin among you. When they persisted, saying, What sayest thou ? he said what was an awful rebuke. They knew that he knew their lives, that they were as guilty as the woman they had brought. They forgot the demand of Moses that the witnesses should cast the first stone (De 17:5-7), and his answer was like a bolt of lightning. Covered with shame, when he stooped and wrote again, they went out one by one.
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 8:11 Neither do I condemn thee. Here is mercy.
Go, and sin no more. Here is admonition; the condition of her final pardon. He is very merciful, but does not excuse sin. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 8:12 I am the light of the world. He then began his discourse to the people assembled. See notes on Mt 5:14 Joh 1:7-10.
The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 8:14 My record is true. The Pharisees disputed this. Ordinarily the testimony of a man that he is sent from God is insufficient. He may be deceived or a deceiver. But Jesus could not be deceived, for he knew all things; nor a deceiver, for he was Truth. Besides, he had other testimony (Joh 8:18).
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh. According to appearances.
I judge no man. He lets their lives and consciences judge them. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 8:17 It is also written in your law. See De 19:15. Observe Jesus says not our, but your law.
I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 8:18 The Father... beareth witness of me. By the prophets, by the works that Jesus does, by his voice at the baptism, and by John the Baptist.
Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. 8:19 Where is thy Father? Asked in scorn, because he said the Father beareth witness of me (Joh 8:18).
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father. The knowledge of Christ leads to a knowledge of the Father. See Joh 14:8. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury. Of the temple. See notes on Mr 12:41 Lu 21:1.
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 8:21 Whither I go, ye cannot come. Because they shall die in their sins, and he will return to heaven, where the sinner cannot enter.
Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 8:22 Will he kill himself? They understood that he referred to his death, but parried the thought that he would die at their hands. Their words were partly mockery.
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 8:23,24 I am from above. He shows more clearly that he returns to heaven, where they never can enter on account of their sins. This leads them to ask:
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 8:23,24 I am from above. He shows more clearly that he returns to heaven, where they never can enter on account of their sins. This leads them to ask:
Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. 8:25 Who art thou? No doubt asked with a sneer; hence, he only refers them to his past words.
I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
Then said Jesus unto them, 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 my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 8:28 When ye have lifted up the Son of man. Lifted him up on the cross. His lifting up would be the means of breaking down unbelief. We can see how this was verified. In fifty days after he was lifted up three thousand believed in a single day (Ac 2:41), and the work of faith went on until the civilized world acknowledged him as King.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 8:29 The Father hath not left me alone. The Father was with him. He was with him and in him. He was the brightness of the Father's glory (Heb 1:3). He did those things that please him, and God was with him.
As he spake these words, many believed on him. 8:30 Many believed. That he was a divine teacher.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 8:31 If ye continue in my word, then ye are my disciples indeed. They believed on him, but their faith was not yet made perfect by obedience. Hence he adds the condition of discipleship. Their belief must move them to accept his word and obey it. There is a condition, continue in my word; a promise, shall be my disciple.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 8:32 And ye shall know the truth. Disciples are learners. Their object is to know the truth. The way to know the truth is to obey the truth.
The truth shall make you free. The Gospel obeyed, frees--frees from the yoke of Satan, from spiritual task-masters, from fear, fills the soul with hope and the free spirit of a son who serves the Father from love. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 8:33 We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage. They trusted in their blood, rather than in obedience to the God of Abraham. Their proud language was false. Their nation had been in bondage for over six hundred years to Babylon, to Persia, to Macedon, to Syria, to Rome. They were also in bondage to sin.
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 8:34 Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. According to his custom, Christ makes no direct argument in reply, but states a truth and leaves them to apply it. The sinner is the slave of sin. See Ro 7:9-24.
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 8:35 The servant abideth not in the house for ever. The servant has no claim to remain continually in the same family, but may be changed at will. The son can remain because he is the son. The Jews, servants of sin, would soon be expelled from the Lord's house.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. If you would be free indeed you must have the freedom that the Son bestows, and become children. In order to fully comprehend the figure, read Ga 4:19-21.
I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed. According to the flesh, but not according to the spirit. Abraham had no such spirit as they.
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father. Jesus was the Son; he had dwelt in the Father's house. They had the spirit of Satan, and hence were, spiritually, his children.
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Satan.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 8:42 If God were your Father, ye would love me. They made this claim (Joh 8:41). Their hatred of the Son was proof that they were not God's children.
Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 8:43 Ye cannot hear my word. Cannot receive it because Satan has your hearts, and is your father.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode 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 of it. 8:44 Ye are of your father, the devil. There are two households: that of God, composed of his children; and that of the devil, composed of his children. All who hear the voice of Christ become God's children by adoption (Ro 8:15-17), and all who refuse to hear him, do so because they belong to the devil's household and hear his voice. They will do the lusts of their father.
He was a murderer from the beginning. He caused the first murder, moves those who do murder, and those who seek to kill Christ are of his spirit. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? He points to his sinless character as a proof that there can be no falsehood in his words.
He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 8:48 Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? They resort to the language of passion and vituperation. Of all men they hated the Samaritans most, and hence this charge. They next accuse him, not of having a devil, but of being possessed with a demon, or evil spirit.
Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. 8:49 I honour my Father. He passes by in silence their first charge; the second he shows cannot be true, for he honors his Father, which a demon could not do; and yet the Jews dishonored him, while he honored the Father.
And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 8:50 I seek not mine own glory. He cared little therefore for their abuse, and sought not to defend himself.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 8:51 If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Here again is a condition and a promise. Notice (1) Its universal character: If any one, Jew or Gentile, male or female, bond or free. (2) The condition: Keep my words. By obedience we are not only freed, but enter into life. (3) The promise: Shall not see death. Death of the body is not reckoned death, but merely the gate through which the believer enters upon a more perfect life. The real death is that of the soul.
Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham? Their argument is: They that heard the word of God are dead, and shall they who have heard thee not die? Their question is asked in scorn. Compare Joh 4:12.
Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 8:54 If I honour myself, my honour is nothing. They had just asked: Whom makest thou thyself ? (Joh 8:53). The Father, who honoreth him, will settle that question by his resurrection from the dead and exaltation.
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, etc. Saw it in promise by prophetic vision; whether or not Abraham was greater (Joh 8:53), he rejoiced in the hope of the revelation of Christ.
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 8:57 And hast thou seen Abraham? It had been about 2,000 years since the time of Abraham. Jesus did not say he had seen Abraham, but they pervert his words.
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 8:58 Before Abraham was, I am. A solemn and official declaration, preceded by Verily, verily (see PNT Joh 3:3 ). The utterance is a remarkable one. It does not merely assert that he was before Abraham, but before Abraham was, I AM. It identifies with the I AM of the Old Testament. Divinity has no past tense, no future tense, but always the present.
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. 8:59 They took up stones to cast at him. They regarded his language blasphemy. If he had been only a man it would have been. The People's New Testament by B.W. Johnson [1891] Bible Hub |