Add parallel Print Page Options

耶稣不定犯奸淫妇人的罪

耶稣往橄榄山去。 黎明的时候,他又到圣殿去,众人都来到他那里,他就坐下教导他们。 经学家和法利赛人带了一个行淫时被抓到的妇人来,叫她站在中间, 就对耶稣说:“先生,这妇人是正在犯奸淫的时候被抓到的。 摩西在律法上吩咐我们把这样的妇人用石头打死,你怎样说呢?” 他们说这话是要试探耶稣,要找把柄来控告他。耶稣却弯下身,用指头在地上写字。 他们不住地问耶稣,他就挺起身来,说:“你们中间谁是没有罪的,他就可以先拿起石头打她。” 于是又弯下身在地上写字。 他们听了这话,就从年老的开始,一个一个地都离开了,留下的只有耶稣和那个还站在那里的妇人。 10 耶稣挺起身来,问她:“妇人,他们在哪里?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。走吧,从现在起不要再犯罪了。”

耶稣是世界的光

12 耶稣又对众人说:“我是世界的光,跟从我的,必定不在黑暗里走,却要得着生命的光。” 13 法利赛人对他说:“你为自己作证,你的见证不是真实的。” 14 耶稣回答:“即使我为自己作证,我的见证还是真实的,因为我知道我从哪里来,往哪里去,但你们却不知道我从哪里来,往哪里去。 15 你们按着外貌判断人,我却不判断人。 16 即使我判断人,我的判断也是正确的,因为我不是独自一人,而是差我来的父和我在一起。 17 你们的律法上也写着:‘两个人的见证才是真的。’ 18 我为自己作证,差我来的父也为我作证。” 19 他们问:“你的父在哪里?”耶稣回答:“你们不认识我,也不认识我的父;如果你们认识我,也就认识我的父了。” 20 这些话是耶稣在殿里教导人的时候,在银库的院中说的。当时没有人逮捕他,因为他的时候还没有到。

不信基督的必在罪中死亡

21 耶稣又对他们说:“我要去了,你们要寻找我,并且要在自己的罪中死亡;我去的地方,你们不能到。” 22 于是犹太人说:“他说‘我去的地方,你们不能到’,难道他要自杀吗?” 23 耶稣说:“你们是从地上来的,我是从天上来的;你们属这世界,我却不属这世界, 24 所以我对你们说,你们要在自己的罪中死亡;你们若不信我就是‘那一位’,就要在自己的罪中死亡。” 25 他们就问:“你是谁?”耶稣说:“我不是从起初就告诉你们吗? 26 关于你们,我有许多事要说,要判断;但那差我来的是真实的,我从他那里听见的,就告诉世人。” 27 他们不明白耶稣是对他们讲论父的事。 28 所以耶稣说:“你们举起了人子以后,必定知道我就是‘那一位’,并且知道我不凭着自己作甚么事;我说的这些话,是照着父所教导我的。 29 那差我来的和我同在,他没有留下我独自一人,因为我常作他喜悦的事。” 30 耶稣说这些话的时候,就有许多人信了他。

真理必使人自由

31 于是耶稣对信了他的犹太人说:“你们若持守我的道,就真是我的门徒了; 32 你们必定认识真理,真理必定使你们自由。” 33 他们说:“我们是亚伯拉罕的后裔,从来没有被谁奴役过,你怎么说‘你们必得自由’呢?” 34 耶稣说:“我实实在在告诉你们,凡犯罪的都是罪的奴隶。 35 奴隶不能永远住在家里,唯有儿子才可以永远住在家里。 36 所以, 神的儿子若使你们自由,你们就真的得自由了。 37 我知道你们是亚伯拉罕的后裔;但你们想杀我,因为你们心里不能容纳我的道。 38 我所说的,是我在父那里看见的;但你们所作的,却是从你们的父那里听见的。”

魔鬼的儿女不肯听主的道

39 他们说:“我们的祖宗是亚伯拉罕。”耶稣说:“你们若是亚伯拉罕的子孙,就必作亚伯拉罕所作的。 40 现在我把从 神那里听见的真理告诉了你们,你们竟然想杀我,这不是亚伯拉罕所作的。 41 你们要作的,正是你们的父要作的。”他们说:“我们不是从淫乱生的;我们只有一位父,就是 神。” 42 耶稣说:“如果 神是你们的父,你们就必爱我,因为我是从 神那里来的;我已经来到这里。我不是凭着自己来的,而是 神差了我来。 43 你们为甚么不明白我的话呢?因为我的道你们听不进去。 44 你们是出于你们的父魔鬼,喜欢按着你们的父的私欲行事。他从起初就是杀人的凶手,不守真理,因为他心里没有真理。他说谎是出于本性,因为他本来就是说谎者,也是说谎的人的父。 45 我讲真理,你们却因此不信我。 46 你们中间有谁能指证我有罪呢?我既然讲真理,你们为甚么不信我呢? 47 出于 神的,就听 神的话;你们不听,因为你们不是出于 神的。”

亚伯拉罕以前耶稣已存在

48 犹太人对耶稣说:“我们说你是撒玛利亚人,并且是鬼附的,不是很对吗?” 49 耶稣回答:“我不是鬼附的。我尊敬我的父,你们却侮辱我。 50 我不求自己的荣耀,但有一位是为我求荣耀,并且是审判人的。 51 我实实在在告诉你们,人若遵守我的道,必定永远不见死亡。” 52 犹太人对他说:“现在我们知道你的确是鬼附的。亚伯拉罕死了,先知们也死了,你还说‘人若遵守我的道,必定永远不尝死味’, 53 难道你比我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕还大吗?他死了,先知们也死了;你把自己当作甚么人呢?” 54 耶稣回答:“如果我荣耀自己,我的荣耀就算不得甚么;那使我得荣耀的是我的父,就是你们说是你们的 神的那一位。 55 可是你们不认识他,我却认识他。如果我说我不认识他,我就像你们一样是说谎的;然而我认识他,也遵守他的道。 56 你们的祖宗亚伯拉罕,因为可以看见我的日子就欢喜,既然看见了,他就很快乐。” 57 犹太人对他说:“你还不到五十岁,怎会见过亚伯拉罕呢?” 58 耶稣说:“我实实在在告诉你们,亚伯拉罕出生以前,我已经存在了。” 59 于是他们拿起石头要打他。耶稣却躲起来,从殿里出去了。

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。

但是,耶稣到橄榄山去了。 一大清早,他又去了大殿。所有的人都聚拢在他的身边,他便坐下开始教导人们。 律法师和法利赛人带来一个被捉住的通奸女子,让她站在人们面前, 然后对耶稣说∶“老师,这女子正在通奸的时候,让我们给抓住了, 摩西在律法中命令,我们应该用石头砸死这种人,你看现在怎么办吧?” 他们这是在试探耶稣,好找借口来控告他。耶稣俯下身,开始用手指在地上写字。 他们还是不停地问他,他直起身来对他们说∶“你们当中谁没有罪,谁就可以第一个用石头砸她。” 然后,他又俯下身在地上写字。

听了这话,从年长的人开始,一个个地都走开了,最后只剩下耶稣独自一人和站在他面前的女子。 10 耶稣直起身来对她说∶“妇人,他们在哪里?没人给你定罪吗?”

11 她说∶“先生,没有。”

耶稣说∶“我也不给你定罪。你走吧,以后不要再犯罪了。”

耶稣是世界之光

12 耶稣又对他们说∶“我是世界之光,跟随我的人绝不会走在黑暗之中,他将获得生命之光。”

13 法利赛人对他说∶“你在为自己作见证,你的证言根本无效。”

14 耶稣回答他们说∶“即便我为自己作证,我的证言仍然有效,因为我知道我从哪里来,到哪里去。而你们却不知道我从哪里来,到哪里去。 15 你们用凡人的标准评判,而我却不评判任何人。 16 一旦我要评判,我的判决就有效,因为我并非独自一人,派我来的父将和我一起审判。 17 你们的律法上写着:两人作证即为有效。 18 我为我自己作证,派我来的父也为我作证。”

19 然后,他们问他∶“你父在哪里呢?”

耶稣回答说∶“你们既不认识我,也不认识我父。假如你们认识我,你们也会认识我父。” 20 耶稣是在奉献箱边上教导时,说这番话的。但是,没有人来逮捕他,他的时刻还没有到呢。

一些犹太人不理解耶稣

21 耶稣接着又对他们说∶“我就要走了,你们将会寻找我,但你们将在罪恶中死去,我去的地方你们不能去。”

22 犹太人发问∶“‘我要去的地方,你们不能去。’他这么说,是不是要自杀?”

23 耶稣对他们说∶“你们从下面来,我从上面来,你们来自这个世界,我不是来自于这个世界, 24 所以我告诉你们,你们将要在你们的罪恶中死去。如果你们不相信我是 [a](基督),你们将在罪恶中死去。”

然后,他们问∶ 25 “你是谁?”

耶稣告诉他们∶“我从一开始就告诉了你们我是谁。 26 关于你们,我有许多事要说,要评判。派我来的那位是真实的,我所说的都是从他那里听来的。”

27 人们并不知道耶稣正在谈他父, 28 耶稣对他们说∶“当你们举起(杀害)人子的时候,就知道我是基督了。我不凭自己做任何事情,而是按父教导我的去讲, 29 派我来的那位与我同在,他不会撇下我,因为我做的事令他喜悦。” 30 耶稣说这话时,许多人都信仰他了。

耶稣谈摆脱罪恶

31 耶稣对信仰了他的犹太人说∶“你们如果遵守我的教导,就真正是我的门徒了。 32 你们会认识真理,而真理将使你们获得自由。”

33 他们说∶“我们是亚伯拉罕的子孙,从未做过任何人的奴隶,你怎么说∶‘你们将获得自由’呢?’”

34 耶稣回答他们说∶“我实话告诉你们,凡是继续犯罪的人,都是罪恶的奴隶, 35 奴隶不会和家人呆在一起,但是儿子却永远属于这个家庭。 36 所以,如果人子让你们获得自由,你们才会真正自由。我知道你们是亚伯拉罕的后代, 37 但是,你们却企图杀害我,因为你们不接受我的教导。 38 我所说的都是我从父那里看见的,你们所做的是你们从自己的父亲那里所听到的。”

39 人们回答说∶“亚伯拉罕是我们的父亲!”

耶稣对他们说∶“如果你们真是亚伯拉罕的子孙,就该做他做的事情。 40 可是你们现在却想杀害我,即一个把从上帝那里听到的真理告诉给你们的人。亚伯拉罕不曾做过这种事, 41 你们做的,正是你们父亲做过的事。”

于是,他们对耶稣说∶“我们不是私生子,我们只有一个父亲,就是上帝!”

42 耶稣对他们说∶“如果上帝是你们的父亲,你们就该爱我,因为我来自于上帝,而且现在我已经在这里了。我不是自己来的,是他派我来的。 43 我的话你们为什么不明白呢?因为你们不接受我的教导。 44 你们从你们的父亲-魔鬼那里来,想遵从你们父亲的欲望。你们的父亲从开始就是谋杀者,从来没有站在真理一边,因为,他心里根本就没有真理。他说谎是出于他的本性,因为他是个说谎的人,是谎言之父, 45 但是,因为我讲真理,你们却不相信我, 46 你们当中有谁能指控我有罪呢?既然我在讲真相,为什么你们还不相信呢? 47 属于上帝的人,听上帝的话。这是你们不听的原因:因为你们不是属于上帝的人。”

耶稣谈亚伯拉罕与自己

48 犹太人回答道∶“我们说你是撒玛利亚人,并被鬼附体了,难道不对吗?”

49 耶稣回答说∶“我没被鬼附体,我尊重我父,可是,你们却不尊重我。 50 我没有为自己追求荣耀,但是却有一位为我求荣耀,评断是非。 51 我实话告诉你们,谁要是遵循我的教导,他就永远不会死。”

52 听到这里,犹太人对他说∶“现在,我们知道你被鬼附体了,亚伯拉罕和先知们都死了,你却说∶‘任何遵从我的教导的人,都不会尝到死亡的滋味。’ 53 你比我们的祖先亚伯拉罕更伟大吗?亚伯拉罕死了,先知也死了,你以为你是什么人?”

54 耶稣回答∶“我若荣耀我自己,那么,这荣耀就毫无价值,荣耀我的,是我父, 55 虽然你们声称他是你们的上帝,但是,你们从来就不认识他,我认识他。如果我说我不认识他,那我就和你们一样是个撒谎的人了,但是,我的确认识他,并遵从他的教导。 56 你们的祖先亚伯拉罕看到我来临的日子,会非常高兴的,他看到了,十分高兴。”

57 然后,犹太人对他说∶“你还不到五十岁,就见过亚伯拉罕?”

58 耶稣对他说∶“我实话告诉你们,亚伯拉罕出现以前,我就存在了。”说到这里,他们捡起石头砸他, 59 但是,他躲开了,离开了大殿院。

Footnotes

  1. 約 翰 福 音 8:24 我是: 尤如在《出埃及记》中被用作上帝的名字,但是也可为:我是基督。

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.