John
© copyright 2008 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
Chapter 8
John 8:1-11
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 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.
3 And the
scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they
had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery,
in the very act.
5 Now Moses in
the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest
thou?
6
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.
7 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 And again he
stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 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.
10 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?
11
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn
thee: go, and sin no more.
Jesus spent that night at the Mount of Olives and then early
the next morning went to the Temple.
The people came to hear him teach.
The scribes and Pharisees dragged a woman in Him.
They say, “Master, this woman was caught in the very act of
adultery.”
Even His enemies called Him “Master,” although most of them
had no idea to whom they were speaking!
Their position was that Moses commanded them to stone the
woman, and they wanted to know what Jesus thought.
That question was bogus because it was a deliberate trap Him
in expressing an opinion that was illegal under the Jewish works only/Law only
government!
However, Jesus (knowing the intentions of their hearts)
stooped down, and wrote on the ground as if ignoring them.
As they continued to ask, he stood up, and said, “Let the one without sin cast a stone at her.”
Tradition said that the accuser should throw the first
stone, but since that was not clear within the law, Jesus went against
tradition without breaking the Law of Moses!
Please notice that Christ did not argue with the mob
decision to kill the woman! He just made
some adjustments in the carrying out of that decision.
As He again stooped down, each one of the mob left. The eldest and most mature among them left
first since they did not qualify as being sinless, and they knew it.
The Jews in spiritual diapers left last!
Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left!
At that point, Jesus looked up and asked, “Where are your accusers?”
It was obvious that none was left!
So, Jesus said, “Neither do I
condemn you! Go, and sin no more.”
Did you actually hear what our Lord told that sinner who
lived under the Law?
She was caught in an act of sin, and yet Christ Jesus, God
the Son said, “Neither do I condemn you! Go, and sin no
more.”
The Law pronounced death, but Christ canceled that
condemnation!
Jesus came to save, and not to condemn!
John
3:17 “For God
sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.”
As we shall see later, Judgment shall be turned over to the
Son!
John 8:12-59
12 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.
13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14 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.
15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge
no man.
16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is
true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men
is true.
18 I am one that bear
witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth
witness of me.
19 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.
20 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.
21 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.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I
am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 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.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art
thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 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.
27 They understood not that he spake
to them of the Father.
28 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.
29 And he that sent me is with me:
the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please
him.
30 As he spake these words, many
believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples
indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be
Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest
thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth
sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make
you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed;
but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen
with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39 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.
40 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.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father.
Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication;
we have one Father, even God.
42 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.
43 Why do ye not understand my
speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 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.
45 And because I tell you the
truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth
me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not,
because ye are not of God.
48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well
that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49 Jesus answered, I have not a
devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50 And I seek not mine own glory:
there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
52 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.
53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest
thou thyself?
54 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:
55 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.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to
see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years
old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 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.
Then, Jesus told them bluntly, “I am
the light of the world! He that follows Me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
The Pharisees accused Christ, “You witness to Yourself and so what You say is not true!”
Jesus did not challenge their assessment, but He did deny
their conclusion!
Jesus responded, “Although I bear
witness of Myself, my witness is true! I know where I
came from and where I am going! You don’t!
“You all judge according to the
flesh! I judge no one!
“However, if I judge, My judgment is accurate!
“I am not alone in My judgment! I judge according to the judgment of the Father
who sent Me!
“It is written in your law that the
testimony of two is accurate!
“I bear witness of myself, and the
Father who sent me also bears witness of Me!”
So, they asked, “Where is Your Father?”
In asking that they assumed that Joseph was his biological
father!
Jesus replied, “None of you knows Me or My Father!
“If you had known Me,
you would have known My Father!”
In saying that “known” implied personal intimacy!
They knew about God, but did not know God!
The years have not brought much change.
Many who claim to know God only know about God!
Jesus said all that within in the Temple treasury area as He
taught in the Temple.
None laid a hand on him, because His hour had not yet come.
Then Jesus said, “I am departing!
“You all shall seek me and shall die
in your sins!”
Many Jews are still looking for their Messiah with no
understanding that He came and they rejected Him!
Jesus’ statement was a powerful condemnation of all who
attempt to live by the Law, any law!
The Scriptures tell us explicitly that the just SHALL live
by faith (Romans 1:17)!
None shall live by means of the Law!
Even Christ Jesus lived by faith!
John
10:18 “No man
taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down,
and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my
Father.”
The resurrection happened due to the
Son’s faith in the Father’s!
Jesus further said, “Where I am
going, and none of you is able to come!”
Then said the Jews, “Will He kill
himself? After all He said, ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’”
“And Jesus further told them, “You
all are from beneath---here on earth! I am from above---from Heaven! You all
are of this world! I am not!
“I said that you all shall die in
your sins, because if you do not believe that I am the Special God sent One, you shall die in your sins!
Then they asked, “Just Who are
You?”
Jesus retorted, “I told you that
from the beginning.
“I have many things to say and to
judge of you, but He that sent Me is true, and I speak
to the world only those things which I have heard of Him.”
They did not understand that Jesus was speaking about the
Father!
We cannot make those who have not had their ears opened by
the Holy Spirit understand things of the Spirit!
Many are spiritual
without being Spiritual!
Then Jesus told them, “When you all
have lifted up the Son of man you shall know that I am He, and that I do
nothing of Myself, I speak of only those things My Father taught me!
“And, He that sent Me is with Me!
“The Father has not deserted Me!
“I always do what pleases him!”
As Jesus spoke, many believed on him!
Then Jesus told those Jews which believed on Him, “If you continue in my word, you are indeed my disciples!
“And as a consequence, you shall
know the Truth, and the Truth shall liberate you.”
That was not speaking of understanding simple truth! It was a reference to personal intimacy with
THE TRUTH, Christ Jesus!
Later, Christ will tell them bluntly that He is the Way, the
Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)!
They, those who believed on Him had no understanding!
It was His followers who said, “We are Abraham's seed, and
were never in bondage to any man!
“How can You say, ‘You all shall be
liberated?’”
Many miss the point that it was His followers who said that!
So, Jesus told them, “Truthfully I
tell you all who commit sin are servants of sin!
“And, the servant does not live in
the house forever, but the Son
does!
“If the Son makes you free, you
shall be free!
The freedom referenced in John 8:32 is freedom from the
domination of sin (Gr. eleutheroosei/Englishman’s
spelling-eleuqerwsei)!
The Truth shall free you sin’s domination.
“I know that you all are Abraham's
seed, but you are looking to kill me, because my word is not acceptable to you.
“I tell you what I have seen with my
Father, and you do what you have seen with your father!”
At that they said, “Abraham is our father!”
And, Abraham was indeed their physical father!
So, Jesus spoke up, “If you were
Abraham's (spiritual) children, you would do as
he did!
“But, you are seeking to kill me!
“I am a man who told you the very
truth I have heard of God!
“Abraham did not do as much!
“You are doing the deeds of your
father!
At that they accused Christ, “We were not born of
fornication! We have one Father, God!”
Jesus come back with, “If God were your Father, you would love me! I came from God,
not from Myself! He sent me!
“Why don’t you understand? You
cannot truly hear what I am saying!”
(Biblical hearing demands a positive response! If the
response is negative it is because the listeners cannot truly hear!)
He continued, “You are of your father the devil!
“You will carry out his lusts!
“He was a murderer from the
beginning, and doesn’t know the truth because there is no truth in him.
“When he speaks, he lies, and speaks
on his own, because he is a liar, and the father of lies!
“And, because I tell you the truth, you don’t believe Me!
“Which of you accuses me of sin?
“And, if I say the truth, why don’t
you believe Me?
“He that is of God hears God's
words!
“Therefore, you don’t hear, because
you are not of God!
At that the Jews further condemned the Christ, “You are a
demon filled Samaritan!”
Jesus answered back, “I have not a
devil! I honour my Father, and you dishonour Me.
“I do not seek my own glory not mine
own glory!
“There is One
who seeks glory, and He also judges!
“If a man keeps My
sayings, he shall never die!
Here, we are reminded that Christians shall put on
immortality (1 Cor 15:53)!
The Jews continued to accuse Christ Jesus, “Now we know that
You have a devil!
“Abraham is dead, and so are the prophets, but You tell us that if a man keeps Your sayings, he shall never
taste of death?
“Are You greater than Abraham and
the Prophets, who are dead?
“Who are You claiming to be?”
If they had been listening, they would not have asked that
question!
Instead, they would have bowed and worshipped!
So, Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself it means nothing!
“My Father honors me! And, you claim
that He is your God!
“And yet you do not know Him!
“I know Him, and if I should say I
don’t know Him I shall be a liar like you!
“But, I know Him and keep His
saying.
“Your (physical) father, Abraham, rejoiced to see My
day!
“He saw it, and was glad!”
Then the Jews said, You aren’t yet
fifty years old, and yet You say that You have seen Abraham?”
Christ Jesus responded, “Truthfully
I tell you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
At that they picked up stones and perapre3d to throw them at
Christ, however Jesus hid Himself, and left the temple area going directly
through their midst!