John 8

John 8 presents powerful teachings and confrontations as Jesus interacts with the religious leaders and the people. This chapter begins with the story of the woman caught in adultery, showing Jesus' mercy and wisdom in dealing with sin. As He continues teaching in the temple, Jesus reveals profound truths about His identity as the Light of the World, His relationship with the Father, and the freedom He offers from sin. Tension builds between Jesus and the Pharisees as they question His claims, culminating in Jesus declaring His eternal existence with the words, "before Abraham was, I AM," which leads to an attempt on His life.

John 8:1-2 (NKJV)
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.

Jesus often withdrew to the Mount of Olives to pray and rest, showing His dedication to spiritual renewal. The next morning, He returns to the temple, a central place for teaching and connecting with the people. His willingness to teach in the temple despite growing opposition highlights His commitment to revealing truth, and His seated position indicates the traditional stance of a rabbi ready to teach.

John 8:3-6 (NKJV)
3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,
4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”
6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

The Pharisees and scribes bring a woman caught in sin to test Jesus, attempting to trap Him between upholding Mosaic Law and His reputation for mercy. Their motives are less about justice and more about undermining Jesus. His response of writing on the ground, seemingly ignoring them, shows His wisdom and calm approach to a potentially volatile situation.

John 8:7-9 (NKJV)
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Jesus’ challenge to cast the first stone if they are without sin turns the focus on the accusers' own failings, leading them to leave one by one. His words reveal the importance of self-reflection and humility before passing judgment on others, reminding us that all have sinned and require grace.

John 8:10-11 (NKJV)
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

With the accusers gone, Jesus extends mercy to the woman, telling her to "go and sin no more." He does not condone her sin but offers forgiveness and a chance for a fresh start, emphasizing that His mission is to save, not to condemn.

John 8:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”
14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.

Jesus' declaration of being the "light of the world" reveals His divine role to guide people out of spiritual darkness. The Pharisees, however, challenge His authority, questioning the validity of His self-testimony. Jesus replies that His testimony is true because of His divine origin and mission, which they fail to understand.

John 8:15-18 (NKJV)
15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

Jesus contrasts the Pharisees' judgment based on human standards with His own judgment, which aligns with divine truth, as He is in unity with the Father. By citing the law’s requirement of two witnesses, He presents Himself and the Father as fulfilling this requirement, thereby validating His claims.

John 8:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

The Pharisees' question about Jesus' Father reflects their misunderstanding of His relationship with God. Jesus points out their spiritual blindness, indicating that knowing Him is the key to knowing the Father. Despite their hostility, they cannot harm Him yet, as His time has not come.

John 8:21-24 (NKJV)
21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”
22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?”
23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Jesus warns that their disbelief will lead to spiritual death. He contrasts His heavenly origin with their earthly mindset, underscoring the consequences of rejecting Him. His statement that they will die in their sins if they do not believe in Him reveals the gravity of faith in securing eternal life.

John 8:25-27 (NKJV)
25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”
27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.

The Pharisees’ question reflects their confusion and disbelief regarding Jesus’ identity. Jesus emphasizes His consistency, stating that He has only spoken what He has heard from the Father. Despite His clear message, they fail to grasp that He is referring to His relationship with God.

John 8:28-30 (NKJV)
28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

Jesus foretells His crucifixion, referring to being "lifted up," after which people will recognize His true identity. His obedience to the Father is evident, and His close relationship with God provides a powerful testimony. These words lead many to believe in Him, showing the power of His message.

John 8:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Jesus offers the promise of true freedom to those who follow His teachings. Abiding in His word leads to understanding the truth, which liberates believers from spiritual bondage. His message highlights the transformative power of discipleship and commitment to His teachings.

John 8:33-36 (NKJV)
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

The Jews claim their heritage from Abraham as proof of their freedom, missing Jesus’ point about spiritual slavery. Jesus explains that sin enslaves people, and only He, the Son, has the authority to grant true freedom, offering a lasting relationship with God beyond mere lineage.

John 8:37-40 (NKJV)
37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.
38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40 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.”

Jesus acknowledges their physical descent from Abraham but criticizes their actions, which contradict Abraham’s example of faith and obedience. Their desire to kill Him reflects a different “father,” one not aligned with God. True children of Abraham would embrace Jesus’ message of truth.

John 8:41-44 (NKJV)
41 “You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Jesus confronts them with the reality that their actions align more with Satan, the “father of lies,” than with God. Their rejection of Jesus and their murderous intentions reveal their spiritual allegiance. Jesus’ harsh words aim to expose the true nature of their opposition to God’s truth.

John 8:45-47 (NKJV)
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

Jesus challenges them to find any fault in Him, yet they still refuse to believe. He underscores that those who truly belong to God will accept His words, implying that their rejection of Him reveals a lack of genuine relationship with God.

John 8:48-51 (NKJV)
48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges.
51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

The Jews insult Jesus, calling Him a Samaritan and demon-possessed. Jesus responds calmly, asserting His dedication to honoring the Father. His promise of eternal life to those who keep His word reveals the depth of His authority and the spiritual life He offers beyond physical death.

John 8:52-55 (NKJV)
52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’
53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.
55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.

The Jews misunderstand Jesus’ words about eternal life, interpreting them as a physical claim. Jesus clarifies that His honor comes from God and that He has a true, intimate knowledge of the Father. His statement reveals the disconnect between their claims and their lack of genuine relationship with God.

John 8:56-59 (NKJV)
56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”
57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Jesus declares His pre-existence with the statement “before Abraham was, I AM,” identifying Himself with God’s eternal “I AM” in Exodus. This profound claim incites anger, as the Jews perceive it as blasphemy. They attempt to stone Him, but Jesus, protected by divine timing, departs safely. This moment encapsulates His identity as God incarnate, unrecognized by His own people.