John 08
The scribes and Phasisees accuse a woman taken in adultery
8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus usually slept outside of Jerusalem.
8:2 Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them.
The rabbi would stand when they were teaching the Word of God and sit when they were interpreting the Word of God.
8:3 The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them
The Jewish leaders were setting a trap for Jesus. They were willing to embarrass, humiliate, and stone a woman in order to bring down Jesus.
8:4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery.
Notice that the Jewish religious leaders called Jesus “teacher” and not “Lord,”
8:5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?”
The male and female both were to be stoned to death. Where was the male?
8:6 (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.
This is the only time in Scripture when Jesus wrote, although there have been more words written about Him than any other man in history. What did He write?
The Holy Spirit did not reveal what Jesus wrote, but there is a very interesting passage in Jeremiah 17:3, “O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters” (Jer. 17:13).
Jesus was the only hope of Israel. Many of the Jews will forsake Jesus. They will be ashamed of Jesus. All of those who depart from Jesus will be written in the earth. They will be forsaken by Jehovah. Jehovah is the foundation of living waters. Jesus had just finished claiming that He was the foundation of living waters. Jesus was claiming to be Jehovah.
8:7 When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.”
The Pharisees continued to ask Jesus questions thinking that they could make a mockery of Him.
8:8 Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.
Some say that Jesus wrote down the names of the rabbi and their girl friends. Since the Holy Spirit did not reveal the message, then all speculation is simply human invention.
8:9 Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
The rabbi did not like what Jesus wrote. The more experienced rabbi left first, followed by the inexperienced rabbi.
8:10 Jesus stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”
Jesus knew the answer to this question. He asked similar questions to Adam, Cain, and Job.
8:11 She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
Jesus was the only one in the crowd who was sinless. He was the only one who could have thrown the stone. Yet, He chose to forgive her.
Jesus as the Light of the World
8:12 Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jesus made this claim on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacle. On this day, all of the lamps were burning. While they were burning, Jesus pointed out that He was the true “light of the world.” The world of darkness is the world of unbelief, evil, sin, and ignorance (Isa. 9:2; Matt. 4:16; 27:45; John 3:19). “Light” in the Bible is a symbol of God and His holiness (Acts 9:3; 1 John 1:5). Whoever follows Jesus will live in the light, so he will be able to find the path of salvation. All others will be lost in darkness.
8:13 So the Pharisees objected, “You testify about yourself; your testimony is not true!”
The Mosaic Law required two witnesses to establish a fact in capital offenses. Rabbinic tradition rejected self-testimony from oneself.
8:14 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 people do not know where I came from or where I am going.
Since no one knows God, only God can testify of Himself.
8:15 You people judge by outward appearances; I do not judge anyone.
The Pharisees judged by human standards. They could not see the deity of Jesus. Jesus did not come to judge anyone. He came to save.
8:16 But if I judge, my evaluation is accurate, because I am not alone when I judge, but I and the Father who sent me do so together.
When Jesus does judge in the future, He will simply execute God the Father’s will.
8:17 It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 8:18 I testify about myself and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
Jesus was one witness and God the Father was the other witness. The Holy Spirit was not mentioned, but is also a witness. There can be no three higher witnesses than the triune Godhead.
8:19 Then they began asking him, “Who is your father?” Jesus answered, “You do not know either me or my Father. If you knew me you would know my Father too.”
The Jewish leaders did not know that Jesus was virgin born. They most likely believed that Jesus was born out of the adultery of Mary. If a person knows God the Father, then he knows the Lord Jesus Christ as well. Jesus is the revelation of the Father (cf. 1:14, 18; 14:7, 9).
8:20 (Jesus spoke these words near the offering box while he was teaching in the temple courts. No one seized him because his time had not yet come.)
Jesus was teaching in the temple area near the offering box, most likely near the women’s court.
Where Jesus Came From and Where He is Going
8:21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will look for me but will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.”
Jesus will be leaving the earth in six more months. The Jewish people only had six more months to listen to the teachings of Jesus. If they did not learn these lessons then they would die in their sin. The sin is singular, meaning the sin of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus will be going up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
8:22 So the Jewish leaders began to say, “Perhaps he is going to kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’”
Jesus did not kill Himself, but He did lay down His own life (10:11, 18).
8:23 Jesus replied, “You people are from below; I am from above. You people are from this world; I am not from this world.
Jesus came from heaven. The Jews were born on earth. Jesus was claiming an attribute of deity. He reminded the Jews of their humanity.
8:24 Thus I told you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”
This time Jesus used the plural of sins. Those who reject Jesus will die in their sins and live out their eternity in the Lake of Fire.
8:25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus replied, “What I have told you from the beginning.
Jesus had told them many times that He was “the Son of Man,” but they did not believe him. The Son of Man was the Messiah who would bring down the Gentile empires and establish the Millennial Kingdom. The Messiah was also to be virgin born, the Son of God, the Son of David, and the Suffering Servant.
8:26 I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the Father who sent me is truthful, and the things I have heard from him I speak to the world.”
Jesus could have said many other things in condemnation against them. However, He only spoke what God the Father wanted Him to speak.
8:27 (They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.)
God the Father was unknown to the Jewish leaders, so they missed out on the identity of Jesus (cf. 1:18).
8:28 Then Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak just what the Father taught me.
Many Jews would not understand the identity of Jesus until after His crucifixion.
8:29 And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do those things that please him.”
God the Father was with Jesus the entire trip except for the three hours of darkness when the sins of the world were poured on Jesus.
8:30 While he was saying these things, many people believed in him.
Many people believed in Jesus, but many also disbelieved. No one could believe unless the Holy Spirit opened their eyes and ears.
Abraham’s Children and the Devil’s Children
8:31 Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples
Some believed the message of Jesus just as “demons believe that there is one God, but they shudder.” Many of these believers only professed the truth. Those who apply what Jesus taught are the ones who believed and were saved.
8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus was the truth of the divine revelation not some modern teaching of cults and isms. The most dangerous person in the church is the one who is active in serving but not active in Bible study.
When unbelievers accept Jesus as Savior, they gain spiritual freedom through application of Bible Doctrine. Then and only then will the truth set you free.
8:33 “We are descendants of Abraham,” they replied, “and have never been anyone’s slaves! How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
The Jewish leaders believed that they were free men, because they were born as descendants of Abraham. They thought that Abraham would pull every Jew into eternity with God. Israel has been enslaved not only by their sin, but by the Mosaic Law, the Oral Law, and by Rome itself.
8:34 Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin.
Sin was a cruel master. The master was so cruel, that the sinner did not even know he was enslaved.
8:35 The slave does not remain in the family forever, but the son remains forever.
Ishmael was the son of a slave, so he was cast out of Abraham’s house. The Jewish leaders were slaves to sin, so they would be cast out of God’s house.
8:36 So if the son sets you free, you will be really free.
Jesus was the Son of God and the son of Abraham. If Jesus set one free, then he was no longer a slave.
8:37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. But you want to kill me, because my teaching makes no progress among you.
The Jewish leaders were physical sons of Abraham but not spiritual sons (Galatians 3:16). If they were spiritual sons, then they would worship Jesus instead of attempting to murder Him.
8:38 I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father!”
Jesus was the second person of the Trinity. He was teaching directly from the will of the Father.
8:39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father!” Jesus replied, “If you are Abraham’s children, you would be doing the deeds of Abraham.
The Jewish leaders countered that they were both physical and spiritual children of Abraham. Jesus corrected them. If they were spiritual children of Abraham, then they would do what Abraham would do. Abraham would worship Jesus.
8:40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this!
Abraham was obedient to God. He would not have attempted to kill Jesus.
8:41 You people are doing the deeds of your father.”
Then they said to Jesus, “We were not born as a result of immorality! We have only one Father, God himself.”
The Jewish leaders had checked out the birth of Jesus. They claimed that He was born out of adultery.
8:42 Jesus replied, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God and am now here. I have not come on my own initiative, but he sent me.
Jesus came from God. If these Jewish religious leaders were true believers, then they would love Jesus.
8:43 Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.
Unbelievers are so totally depraved and evil, that they cannot understand the spiritual things of God. “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” (1 Corinthians 1:18). “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him” (1 Cor. 2:14).
8:44 You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
Jesus was not a seeker-friendly teacher. He told His large congregation that they were from the devil. Just as the devil murdered Abel and all of the other prophets, so would the devil use the chosen people to murder their own Messiah.
8:45 But because I am telling you the truth, you do not believe me.
Unbelievers have no capacity to hear the truth or desire the truth. They desire a dead, lifeless, or non-existing God so that they can continue in their sin.
8:46 Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?
Jesus was the only person in history who kept the Mosaic Law.
8:47 The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God’s words. You don’t listen and respond, because you don’t belong to God.”
If these Jewish leaders were believers, then they would have listened and responded to the message of Jesus. Those who do not belong to God cannot hear the message of God. They are not interested in the message. They refuse to believe the message. They continue following their sin nature.
8:48 The Judeans replied, “Aren’t we correct in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?”
Samaritans were a mixed race of Jews and Gentiles. The Jews had been taken captive by Assyria. The captive Jews intermarried with the Gentiles of the Assyrian Empire. The Jews claimed that Jesus was a half-breed Samaritan who was demon-possessed. They made this comment after Jesus informed them that their father was the devil.
8:49 Jesus answered, “I am not possessed by a demon, but I honor my Father – and yet you dishonor me.
Jesus was not honoring Himself. He was honoring His Father. Demons do not honor God the Father.
8:50 I am not trying to get praise for myself. There is one who demands it, and he also judges.
Jesus did not boast of His attributes. He will simply allow God the Father to judge these men.
8:51 I tell you the solemn truth, if anyone obeys my teaching, he will never see death.”
Anyone who expresses a positive response to the revelation of Jesus will live with God for eternity.
8:52 Then the Judeans responded, “Now we know you’re possessed by a demon! Both Abraham and the prophets died, and yet you say, ‘If anyone obeys my teaching, he will never experience death.’ 8:53 You aren’t greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?”
The Jewish religious leaders misunderstood Jesus. They thought that Jesus meant physical death. Jesus was talking about eternal death. The Jews thought that being born into the family of Abraham would keep them out of hell.
8:54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worthless. The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you people say, ‘He is our God.’
If Jesus honored Himself, then His honor would have no value. God the Father glorifies Jesus. The Jews claimed that God the Father was their God as well, but their real father was the devil.
8:55 Yet you do not know him, but 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 I obey his teaching.
Jesus was not a seeker-friendly teacher. Jesus used two different Greek words for “know.” The first Greek word is γινώσκω (ginowskow), a perfect active indicative verb, meaning to know by experience. Jesus informed the Jewish leaders that they did not know God by experience and they would continue to not know by experience Him for eternity.
The second Greek word for “know” is οἶδα (oida), a perfect active indicative verb, meaning to see and understand with spiritual eyes. Jesus sees and knows God the Father with His spiritual eyes. He has always known God the Father in this way. This spiritual knowledge of God the Father will continue forever into eternity.
The Jewish leaders claimed that they knew (οἶδα) God with spiritual understanding, but they were lying. Jesus informed them that they did not know (οἶδα) God the Father with spiritual understanding. If they did know God in this way, then they would have obeyed the teaching of God.
8:56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day, and he saw it and was glad.”
God the Father revealed the salvation plan to Abraham. Abraham was overjoyed and desired to see the coming of the Messiah. The Jews were physical descendants of Abraham. Very few of them were spiritual descendants of Abraham. The “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 is the believing remnant of Jews who have lived and died throughout history.
8:57 Then the Judeans replied, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?”
Jesus was about 33 years of age at this time. There was no way that Jesus could have had any contact with Abraham unless Jesus was alive at this time.
8:58 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!”
The Greek word for “I am” is ἐγὼ εἰμί (ego eimi), a present active indicative verb, meaning “I am presently and continually existing forever.” Before Abraham was even born, Jesus was already presently and continually existing for eternity. In the Greek, Jesus was claiming that He was the eternal existing God who has been living forever. If Jesus was a created angel (as the Jehovah Witnesses falsely claim), then he would have used the perfect active indicative verb.
8:59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area.
Jesus claimed to be God. This was a capital offense under the Mosaic Law. The Jewish death penalty for blasphemy was death by stoning. The Jews picked up stones to execute Jesus for blasphemy. Jesus supernaturally escaped the crowd. His appointed time had not yet come.