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耶穌不定犯姦淫婦人的罪

耶穌往橄欖山去。 黎明的時候,他又到聖殿去,眾人都來到他那裡,他就坐下教導他們。 經學家和法利賽人帶了一個行淫時被抓到的婦人來,叫她站在中間, 就對耶穌說:“先生,這婦人是正在犯姦淫的時候被抓到的。 摩西在律法上吩咐我們把這樣的婦人用石頭打死,你怎樣說呢?” 他們說這話是要試探耶穌,要找把柄來控告他。耶穌卻彎下身,用指頭在地上寫字。 他們不住地問耶穌,他就挺起身來,說:“你們中間誰是沒有罪的,他就可以先拿起石頭打她。” 於是又彎下身在地上寫字。 他們聽了這話,就從年老的開始,一個一個地都離開了,留下的只有耶穌和那個還站在那裡的婦人。 10 耶穌挺起身來,問她:“婦人,他們在哪裡?沒有人定你的罪嗎?” 11 她說:“主啊!沒有。”耶穌說:“我也不定你的罪。走吧,從現在起不要再犯罪了。”

耶穌是世界的光

12 耶穌又對眾人說:“我是世界的光,跟從我的,必定不在黑暗裡走,卻要得著生命的光。” 13 法利賽人對他說:“你為自己作證,你的見證不是真實的。” 14 耶穌回答:“即使我為自己作證,我的見證還是真實的,因為我知道我從哪裡來,往哪裡去,但你們卻不知道我從哪裡來,往哪裡去。 15 你們按著外貌判斷人,我卻不判斷人。 16 即使我判斷人,我的判斷也是正確的,因為我不是獨自一人,而是差我來的父和我在一起。 17 你們的律法上也寫著:‘兩個人的見證才是真的。’ 18 我為自己作證,差我來的父也為我作證。” 19 他們問:“你的父在哪裡?”耶穌回答:“你們不認識我,也不認識我的父;如果你們認識我,也就認識我的父了。” 20 這些話是耶穌在殿裡教導人的時候,在銀庫的院中說的。當時沒有人逮捕他,因為他的時候還沒有到。

不信基督的必在罪中死亡

21 耶穌又對他們說:“我要去了,你們要尋找我,並且要在自己的罪中死亡;我去的地方,你們不能到。” 22 於是猶太人說:“他說‘我去的地方,你們不能到’,難道他要自殺嗎?” 23 耶穌說:“你們是從地上來的,我是從天上來的;你們屬這世界,我卻不屬這世界, 24 所以我對你們說,你們要在自己的罪中死亡;你們若不信我就是‘那一位’,就要在自己的罪中死亡。” 25 他們就問:“你是誰?”耶穌說:“我不是從起初就告訴你們嗎? 26 關於你們,我有許多事要說,要判斷;但那差我來的是真實的,我從他那裡聽見的,就告訴世人。” 27 他們不明白耶穌是對他們講論父的事。 28 所以耶穌說:“你們舉起了人子以後,必定知道我就是‘那一位’,並且知道我不憑著自己作甚麼事;我說的這些話,是照著父所教導我的。 29 那差我來的和我同在,他沒有留下我獨自一人,因為我常作他喜悅的事。” 30 耶穌說這些話的時候,就有許多人信了他。

真理必使人自由

31 於是耶穌對信了他的猶太人說:“你們若持守我的道,就真是我的門徒了; 32 你們必定認識真理,真理必定使你們自由。” 33 他們說:“我們是亞伯拉罕的後裔,從來沒有被誰奴役過,你怎麼說‘你們必得自由’呢?” 34 耶穌說:“我實實在在告訴你們,凡犯罪的都是罪的奴隸。 35 奴隸不能永遠住在家裡,唯有兒子才可以永遠住在家裡。 36 所以, 神的兒子若使你們自由,你們就真的得自由了。 37 我知道你們是亞伯拉罕的後裔;但你們想殺我,因為你們心裡不能容納我的道。 38 我所說的,是我在父那裡看見的;但你們所作的,卻是從你們的父那裡聽見的。”

魔鬼的兒女不肯聽主的道

39 他們說:“我們的祖宗是亞伯拉罕。”耶穌說:“你們若是亞伯拉罕的子孫,就必作亞伯拉罕所作的。 40 現在我把從 神那裡聽見的真理告訴了你們,你們竟然想殺我,這不是亞伯拉罕所作的。 41 你們要作的,正是你們的父要作的。”他們說:“我們不是從淫亂生的;我們只有一位父,就是 神。” 42 耶穌說:“如果 神是你們的父,你們就必愛我,因為我是從 神那裡來的;我已經來到這裡。我不是憑著自己來的,而是 神差了我來。 43 你們為甚麼不明白我的話呢?因為我的道你們聽不進去。 44 你們是出於你們的父魔鬼,喜歡按著你們的父的私慾行事。他從起初就是殺人的兇手,不守真理,因為他心裡沒有真理。他說謊是出於本性,因為他本來就是說謊者,也是說謊的人的父。 45 我講真理,你們卻因此不信我。 46 你們中間有誰能指證我有罪呢?我既然講真理,你們為甚麼不信我呢? 47 出於 神的,就聽 神的話;你們不聽,因為你們不是出於 神的。”

亞伯拉罕以前耶穌已存在

48 猶太人對耶穌說:“我們說你是撒瑪利亞人,並且是鬼附的,不是很對嗎?” 49 耶穌回答:“我不是鬼附的。我尊敬我的父,你們卻侮辱我。 50 我不求自己的榮耀,但有一位是為我求榮耀,並且是審判人的。 51 我實實在在告訴你們,人若遵守我的道,必定永遠不見死亡。” 52 猶太人對他說:“現在我們知道你的確是鬼附的。亞伯拉罕死了,先知們也死了,你還說‘人若遵守我的道,必定永遠不嘗死味’, 53 難道你比我們的祖宗亞伯拉罕還大嗎?他死了,先知們也死了;你把自己當作甚麼人呢?” 54 耶穌回答:“如果我榮耀自己,我的榮耀就算不得甚麼;那使我得榮耀的是我的父,就是你們說是你們的 神的那一位。 55 可是你們不認識他,我卻認識他。如果我說我不認識他,我就像你們一樣是說謊的;然而我認識他,也遵守他的道。 56 你們的祖宗亞伯拉罕,因為可以看見我的日子就歡喜,既然看見了,他就很快樂。” 57 猶太人對他說:“你還不到五十歲,怎會見過亞伯拉罕呢?” 58 耶穌說:“我實實在在告訴你們,亞伯拉罕出生以前,我已經存在了。” 59 於是他們拿起石頭要打他。耶穌卻躲起來,從殿裡出去了。

淫妇获赦

众人都回家去了,耶稣却上了橄榄山。 第二天清晨,祂又回到圣殿。百姓聚集在祂那里,祂就坐下来教导他们。 这时候,律法教师和法利赛人带来一个通奸时被捉的女人,让她站在众人面前, 然后问耶稣:“老师,这个女人是在通奸时被捉到的。 按摩西的律法,我们要用石头把她打死,你说该怎么处置她呢?”

他们这样问是要使耶稣落在他们的圈套里,可以有借口控告祂。耶稣却只是弯着腰用指头在地上写字。 他们不断地追问耶稣,于是祂直起腰来,对他们说:“你们中间谁没有罪,谁就先拿石头打她吧。” 说完,又弯下腰在地上写字。

他们听了这句话,就从老到少一个一个地走了,只剩下耶稣和那个女人在那里。 10 耶稣直起腰来,说:“妇人,他们到哪里去了?没有人定你的罪吗?”

11 她说:“主啊,没有。”

耶稣说:“我也不定你的罪。回去吧,从今以后不要再犯罪了。”

世界的光

12 耶稣又对众人说:“我是世界的光,凡跟从我的,必不会走在黑暗里,必要得到生命的光。”

13 法利赛人对祂说:“你自己为自己做见证,你的见证不真实。”

14 耶稣说:“即便我自己为自己做见证,我的见证仍是真实的,因为我知道自己从哪里来、要到哪里去,你们却不知道我从哪里来、要到哪里去。 15 你们只凭外表判断别人,我却不判断人。 16 就算我判断人,我的判断也是正确的,因为我不是独自一人,还有差我来的父与我同在。 17 你们的律法不是说两个人做见证就有效吗? 18 我是自己为自己做见证,差我来的父也为我做见证。”

19 他们问:“你的父在哪里?”

耶稣回答说:“你们不认识我,也不认识我的父。如果你们认识我,也会认识我的父。” 20 耶稣在圣殿的库房这样教导人,但没有人抓祂,因为祂的时候还没有到。

警告不信的人

21 耶稣又对他们说:“我要走了,你们会寻找我,你们将死在自己的罪中。我去的地方,你们不能去。”

22 犹太人说:“祂说祂去的地方我们不能去,难道祂想自杀吗?”

23 耶稣对他们说:“你们是从下面来的,我是从上面来的。你们属于这世界,我不属于这世界。 24 所以我说你们将死在自己的罪中,你们如果不相信我就是[a]那一位,一定会死在自己的罪中。”

25 他们问:“你到底是谁?”

耶稣回答说:“我不是早就告诉你们了吗? 26 关于你们,我有许多要说、要审判的,但差我来的那位是真实的,我把从祂那里听到的告诉世人。” 27 他们不明白耶稣是指着父说的。

28 于是耶稣说:“你们举起人子以后,必知道我就是那一位,并且知道我没有一件事是凭自己做的,我所说的都是父教导我的。 29 差我来的那位跟我在一起,祂没有撇下我,让我孤单一人,因为我做的都是祂所喜悦的。” 30 许多人因为这番话而信了耶稣。

真正的自由

31 耶稣对信祂的犹太人说:“你们若持守我的道,就真是我的门徒了。 32 你们必认识真理,真理必叫你们得到自由。”

33 他们说:“我们是亚伯拉罕的子孙,从来没有做过奴隶,你为什么说我们可以得到自由呢?”

34 耶稣说:“我实实在在地告诉你们,所有犯罪的人都是罪的奴隶。 35 奴隶不能永远留在主人的家里,只有儿子才可以。 36 所以,如果上帝的儿子释放了你们,你们就真正自由了!

耶稣和亚伯拉罕

37 “我知道你们是亚伯拉罕的子孙,但你们却想杀我,因为你们心里容不下我的道。 38 我所说的,是我从父那里看到的,你们却照着你们父[b]的话去做。”

39 他们说:“我们的父就是亚伯拉罕!”

耶稣说:“你们如果真是亚伯拉罕的子孙,一定会做他所做的事。 40 我把从上帝那里听到的真理告诉你们,你们反要杀我,亚伯拉罕绝不做这样的事。 41 你们是在做你们父所做的事。”

他们说:“我们不是从淫乱生的!我们只有一位父,就是上帝。”

42 耶稣说:“如果上帝是你们的父,你们一定会爱我,因为我来自上帝。如今我在这里,我不是凭自己来的,而是上帝差我来的, 43 你们为什么不明白我的话呢?因为你们听不进去我的道。 44 你们是出于你们的父魔鬼,你们乐意顺着它的私欲行。魔鬼从起初就是个杀人凶手,从不站在真理这一边,因为它心里根本没有真理。撒谎是它的本性,因为它是撒谎者,又是撒谎者的始祖。 45 所以,我讲真理的时候,你们不信我。 46 你们谁能指证我有罪呢?我既然把真理告诉了你们,你们为什么还不信我呢? 47 出于上帝的人听上帝的话,你们不听上帝的话,因为你们不是出于上帝。”

48 犹太人对祂说:“我们说你是撒玛利亚人[c],被鬼附身了,难道不对吗?”

49 耶稣说:“我没有被鬼附身。我尊敬我的父,你们却侮辱我。 50 我不为自己寻求荣耀,但有一位会为我寻求,祂也会断定谁是谁非。 51 我实实在在地告诉你们,人如果遵行我的道,必永远不死。”

52 那些犹太人说:“现在我们的确知道你是被鬼附身了!亚伯拉罕和众先知都死了,你还说人如果遵行你的道,必永远不死。 53 难道你比我们的祖先亚伯拉罕还大吗?他死了,先知们也死了,你以为你是谁?”

54 耶稣说:“如果我为自己争取荣耀,那荣耀算不了什么。但使我得荣耀的是我的父,你们也称祂为你们的上帝。 55 你们不认识祂,我却认识祂。如果我说我不认识祂,那我就像你们一样是说谎的。然而,我认识祂,并且遵行祂的道。 56 你们的祖先亚伯拉罕曾经欢欢喜喜地盼望看见我来的日子。他看见了,就欢喜快乐。”

57 犹太人说:“你还不到五十岁,怎么会见过亚伯拉罕呢?”

58 耶稣说:“我实实在在地告诉你们,亚伯拉罕还没有出生,我就已经存在了[d]。” 59 于是,他们就拿起石头要打祂,耶稣却避开他们,离开了圣殿。

Footnotes

  1. 8:24 耶稣用“我就是”这个词提醒听众祂就是出埃及记3:14节提到的那位自有永有的上帝,8:28同。
  2. 8:38 犹太文化中,“父”可指生身的父,亦可泛指祖先。
  3. 8:48 撒玛利亚人血统不纯,常被犹太人藐视,并当作骂人的话。
  4. 8:58 我就已经存在了”希腊文是“我是”,参见8:24注。

A Woman Caught in Adultery

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning he came again to the temple courts.[a] And all the people were coming,[b] and he sat down and[c] began to teach[d] them.

Now the scribes and the Pharisees brought to him a woman[e] caught in adultery. And standing her in their midst, they said to him, testing him,[f] “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery! Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (Now they were saying this to test him, so that they would have an occasion[g] to bring charges against him.) But Jesus, bending down, began to write[h] with his[i] finger on the ground, taking no notice.[j] And when they persisted in asking him, straightening up he said[k] to them, “The one of you without sin, let him throw the first stone at her!” And bending down again, he wrote on the ground. Now when they[l] heard it,[m] being convicted by their conscience,[n] they began to depart,[o] one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus[p] was left alone—and the woman who was in their midst. 10 So Jesus, straightening up and seeing no one except the woman,[q] said to her, “Where are those accusers of yours?[r] Does no one condemn you?” 11 And she said, “No one, Lord.” So Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and[s] sin no more.”]][t]

Jesus, the Light of the World

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world! The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify concerning yourself! Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify concerning myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I have come from and where I am going. But you do not know where I have come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to externals; I do not judge anyone. 16 But even if I judge, my judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 And even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true.[u] 18 I am the one who testifies concerning myself, and the Father who sent me testifies concerning me.”

19 So they were saying to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus replied, “You know neither me nor my Father! If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words by the treasury while[v] teaching in the temple courts,[w] and no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

Jesus Predicts His Death

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me and will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come!” 22 Then the Jews began to say,[x] “Perhaps he will kill himself, because he is saying, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’” 23 And he said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are from this world; I am not from this world. 24 Thus 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.”

25 So they began to say to him,[y] “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What[z] I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but the one who sent me is true, and the things which I heard from him, these things I say to the world.” 27 (They did not know that he was speaking to them about the Father.)

28 Then Jesus said,[aa] “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will recognize that I am he, and I do nothing from myself, but just as the Father taught me, I say these things. 29 And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 While[ab] he was saying these things, many believed in him.

The Truth Will Set You Free

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have not been enslaved to anyone at any time. How do you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus replied to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And the slave does not remain in the household forever;[ac] the son remains forever.[ad] 36 So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are seeking to kill me, because my word makes no progress among you. 38 I speak the things that I have seen with the Father; so also you do the things that you have heard from the Father.”

The Priority of Jesus Over Abraham

39 They answered and said to him, “Abraham is our father!” Jesus said to them, “If you are children of Abraham, do the deeds of Abraham! 40 But now you are seeking to kill me, a man who spoke to you the truth which I heard from God. This Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father!”

They said[ae] to him, “We were not born from sexual immorality! We have one father, God!” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I have come forth from God and have come. For I have not come from myself, but that one sent me. 43 Why[af] do you not understand my way of speaking? Because you are not able to listen to my message. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father! That one was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own nature,[ag] because he is a liar and the father of lies.[ah] 45 But because I am telling the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who among you convicts me concerning sin? If I am telling the truth, why[ai] do you not believe me? 47 The one who is from God listens to the words of God. Because of this you do not listen—because you are not of God.”

48 The Jews answered and said to him, “Do we not correctly say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus replied, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me! 50 But I do not seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges! 51 Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never experience death forever.”[aj]

52 The Jews[ak] said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham and the prophets died, and you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death forever.’[al] 53 You are not greater than our father Abraham who died, are you?[am] And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself to be?” 54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 And you have not known him, but I know him. And if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you! But I know him and I keep his word. 56 Abraham your father rejoiced that he would see my day, and he saw it[an] and was glad.”

57 So the Jews said to him, “You are[ao] not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am!” 59 Then they picked up stones in order to throw them[ap] at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple courts.[aq]

Footnotes

  1. John 8:2 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  2. John 8:2 Some manuscripts have “were coming to him”
  3. John 8:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sat down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  4. John 8:2 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to teach”)
  5. John 8:3 Some manuscripts have “brought a woman”
  6. John 8:4 Some manuscripts omit “testing him
  7. John 8:6 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  8. John 8:6 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to write”)
  9. John 8:6 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  10. John 8:6 Some manuscripts omit “taking no notice”
  11. John 8:7 Some manuscripts have “he straightened up and said”
  12. John 8:9 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  13. John 8:9 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  14. John 8:9 Some manuscripts omit “being convicted by their conscience”
  15. John 8:9 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to depart”)
  16. John 8:9 Some manuscripts have “he”
  17. John 8:10 Some manuscripts omit “and seeing no one except the woman”
  18. John 8:10 Some manuscripts have “said to her, ‘Woman, where are they?”
  19. John 8:11 Some manuscripts have “and from now on”
  20. John 8:11 John 7:53–8:11 is not found in the earliest and best manuscripts and was almost certainly not an original part of the Gospel of John; one significant group of Greek manuscripts places it after Luke 21:38
  21. John 8:17 An allusion to Deut 17:6
  22. John 8:20 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“teaching”) which is understood as temporal
  23. John 8:20 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  24. John 8:22 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to say”)
  25. John 8:25 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to say”)
  26. John 8:25 Literally “that which”
  27. John 8:28 Some manuscripts have “said to them”
  28. John 8:30 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was saying”)
  29. John 8:35 Literally “for the age”
  30. John 8:35 Literally “for the age”
  31. John 8:41 Some manuscripts have “Then they said”
  32. John 8:43 Literally “because of what”
  33. John 8:44 *The word “nature” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  34. John 8:44 Literally “of it”
  35. John 8:46 Literally “because of what”
  36. John 8:51 Literally “for the age”
  37. John 8:52 Some manuscripts have “Then the Jews”
  38. John 8:52 Literally “for the age”
  39. John 8:53 *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “are you
  40. John 8:56 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  41. John 8:57 Literally “you have”
  42. John 8:59 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  43. John 8:59 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

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,

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?

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.

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.

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

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.

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.

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

Early in the morning (at dawn), He came back into the temple [[a]court], and the people came to Him in crowds. He sat down and was teaching them,

When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him.

Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.

Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women—offenders] shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?(A)

This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.

However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.

Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger.

They listened to Him, and then they began going out, conscience-stricken, one by one, from the oldest down to the last one of them, till Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing there before Him in the center of the court.

10 When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?

11 She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.

12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.

13 Whereupon the Pharisees told Him, You are testifying on Your own behalf; Your testimony is not valid and is worthless.

14 Jesus answered, Even if I do testify on My own behalf, My testimony is true and reliable and valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.

15 You [set yourselves up to] judge according to the flesh (by what you see). [You condemn by external, human standards.] I do not [set Myself up to] judge or condemn or sentence anyone.

16 Yet even if I do judge, My judgment is true [My decision is right]; for I am not alone [in making it], but [there are two of Us] I and the Father, Who sent Me.

17 In your [own] Law it is written that the testimony (evidence) of two persons is reliable and valid.(B)

18 I am One [of the Two] bearing testimony concerning Myself; and My Father, Who sent Me, He also testifies about Me.

19 Then they said to Him, Where is this [b]Father of Yours? Jesus answered, You know My Father as little as you know Me. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.

20 Jesus said these things in the treasury while He was teaching in the temple [[c]court]; but no one ventured to arrest Him, because His hour had not yet come.

21 Therefore He said again to them, I am going away, and you will be looking for Me, and you will die in (under the curse of) your sin. Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come.

22 At this the Jews began to ask among themselves, Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come?

23 He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world.

24 That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be—if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins.

25 Then they said to Him, Who are You anyway? Jesus replied, [Why do I even speak to you!] I am exactly what I have been telling you from the first.

26 I have much to say about you and to judge and condemn. But He Who sent Me is true (reliable), and I tell the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.

27 They did not perceive (know, understand) that He was speaking to them about the Father.

28 So Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will realize (know, understand) that I am He [for Whom you look] and that I do nothing of Myself (of My own accord or on My own authority), but I say [exactly] what My Father has taught Me.

29 And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.

30 As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted, relied on, and adhered to Him].

31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.

32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

33 They answered Him, We are Abraham’s offspring (descendants) and have never been in bondage to anybody. What do You mean by saying, You will be set free?

34 Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin.

35 Now a slave does not remain in a household permanently (forever); the son [of the house] does remain forever.

36 So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.

37 [Yes] I know that you are Abraham’s offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you.

38 I tell the things which I have seen and learned at My Father’s side, and your actions also reflect what you have heard and learned from your father.

39 They retorted, Abraham is our father. Jesus said, If you were [truly] Abraham’s children, then you would do the works of Abraham [follow his example, do as Abraham did].

40 But now [instead] you are wanting and seeking to kill Me, a Man Who has told you the truth which I have heard from God. This is not the way Abraham acted.

41 You are doing the works of your [own] father. They said to Him, We are not illegitimate children and born out of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me and respect Me and welcome Me gladly, for I proceeded (came forth) from God [out of His very presence]. I did not even come on My own authority or of My own accord (as self-appointed); but He sent Me.

43 Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.]

44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. 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 falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.

45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [do not trust Me, do not rely on Me, or adhere to Me].

46 Who of you convicts Me of wrongdoing or finds Me guilty of sin? Then if I speak truth, why do you not believe Me [trust Me, rely on, and adhere to Me]?

47 Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him.

48 The Jews answered Him, Are we not right when we say You are a Samaritan and that You have a demon [that You are under the power of an evil spirit]?

49 Jesus answered, I am not possessed by a demon. On the contrary, I honor and reverence My Father and you dishonor (despise, vilify, and scorn) Me.

50 However, I am not in search of honor for Myself. [I do not seek and am not aiming for My own glory.] There is One Who [looks after that; He] seeks [My glory], and He is the Judge.

51 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone observes My teaching [lives in accordance with My message, keeps My word], he will by no means ever see and experience death.

52 The Jews said to Him, Now we know that You are under the power of a demon ([d]insane). Abraham died, and also the prophets, yet You say, If a man keeps My word, he will never taste of death into all eternity.

53 Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, and all the prophets died! Who do You make Yourself out to be?

54 Jesus answered, If I were to glorify Myself (magnify, praise, and honor Myself), I would have no real glory, for My glory would be nothing and worthless. [My honor must come to Me from My Father.] It is My Father Who glorifies Me [Who extols Me, magnifies, and praises Me], of Whom you say that He is your God.

55 Yet you do not know Him or recognize Him and are not acquainted with Him, but I know Him. If I should say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I know Him and keep His word [obey His teachings, am faithful to His message].

56 Your forefather Abraham was extremely happy at the hope and prospect of seeing My day (My incarnation); and he did see it and was delighted.(C)

57 Then the Jews said to Him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?

58 Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I Am.(D)

59 So they took up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus, by mixing with the crowd, concealed Himself and went out of the temple [[e]enclosure].

Footnotes

  1. John 8:2 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
  2. John 8:19 Capitalized because of Who He is, the everlasting Father, not who the speaker may have thought He was.
  3. John 8:20 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
  4. John 8:52 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  5. John 8:59 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.