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Vergeving voor de overspelige vrouw

Jezus bracht de nacht door op de Olijfberg. De volgende morgen was Hij alweer vroeg in de tempel. De mensen kwamen om Hem heen staan en luisterden naar Hem. De bijbelgeleerden en Farizeeën brachten een vrouw bij Hem die op overspel was betrapt. Zij duwden haar midden in de kring en zeiden: ‘Meester, deze vrouw is op heterdaad betrapt terwijl zij overspel pleegde. In de wet van Mozes staat dat wij zoʼn vrouw moeten stenigen. Wat is uw mening?’ Zij waren erop uit Hem in de val te laten lopen. Dan zouden zij een reden hebben om Hem aan te klagen. Jezus ging op zijn hurken zitten en schreef met zijn vinger in het stof. Toen zij bleven aandringen, stond Hij op en zei: ‘Laat hij die zelf nooit zondigt, de eerste steen maar gooien!’ Hij hurkte opnieuw en begon weer te schrijven. Na deze woorden dropen de mannen één voor één af, de leiders het eerst. Jezus bleef alleen met de vrouw achter. 10 Hij stond op en vroeg: ‘Waar is iedereen? Heeft niemand u veroordeeld?’

11 ‘Nee, Here,’ antwoordde zij. ‘Wel,’ zei Jezus, ‘Ik veroordeel u ook niet. Ga maar en zondig voortaan niet meer.’

Jezus, het licht van de wereld

12 Jezus richtte Zich weer tot de mensen en zei: ‘Ik ben het licht van de wereld. Wie Mij volgt, zal nooit in de duisternis leven, maar hij zal het licht hebben dat Leven geeft.’ 13 ‘Daar zegt U nogal wat,’ merkten de Farizeeën op. ‘Er is geen enkel bewijs dat U de waarheid spreekt.’ 14 Jezus antwoordde: ‘Toch is het waar, ook al ben Ik het Zelf die het zegt. Want Ik weet waar Ik vandaan kom en waar Ik heenga. Maar u weet daar niets van. 15 U oordeelt met menselijke maatstaven, Ik oordeel niemand. 16 En zelfs als Ik het wel zou doen, zou mijn oordeel betrouwbaar zijn. Want Ik ben niet alleen, maar samen met de Vader die Mij gestuurd heeft. 17 In uw wet staat dat als twee getuigen hetzelfde zeggen, hun getuigenis rechtsgeldig is. 18 Ik ben Zelf de ene Getuige. De ander die voor Mij getuigt, is mijn Vader die Mij gestuurd heeft.’ 19 ‘Waar is uw Vader dan?’ vroegen zij. Hij antwoordde: ‘U weet niet wie Ik ben en ook niet wie mijn Vader is. Als u Mij zou kennen, zou u ook mijn Vader kennen.’ 20 Dit zei Jezus terwijl Hij de mensen toesprak in het gedeelte van de tempel waar de collectekisten stonden. Hij werd niet gevangengenomen, omdat het zijn tijd nog niet was.

Het gezag van Jezus

21 Hierna zei Jezus: ‘Ik ga weg en u zult Mij zoeken. Maar waar Ik heenga, kunt u niet komen. U zult sterven zonder dat uw zonden vergeven zijn.’ 22 ‘Waarom zegt Hij: “Waar Ik heenga, daar kunt u niet komen?” ’ vroegen de Joden verwonderd. ‘Zou Hij soms zelfmoord willen plegen?’ 23 Jezus zei: ‘U bent van hier beneden, Ik ben van boven. U bent van deze wereld, maar Ik niet. 24 Daarom heb Ik gezegd dat u zult sterven zonder dat uw zonden vergeven zijn. Want als u niet gelooft dat Ik ben die Ik ben, zult u sterven zonder vergeving te hebben ontvangen.’ 25 ‘Maar wie bent U dan?’ vroegen zij en Jezus antwoordde: ‘Dat heb Ik vanaf het begin al verteld. 26 Ik zou veel over u kunnen zeggen en u veroordelen. Maar dat zal Ik niet doen. Ik vertel de wereld alleen wat Ik gehoord heb van Hem die Mij gestuurd heeft. Hij spreekt de waarheid.’ 27 Maar zij begrepen niet dat Hij het over de Vader had. 28 Jezus zei: ‘Wanneer u Mij, de Mensenzoon, omhooggeheven en gedood hebt, zult u weten wie Ik ben. Dan zal het u duidelijk zijn dat Ik niet mijn eigen wil doe, maar alleen zeg wat de Vader Mij geleerd heeft. 29 Hij is bij Mij. Hij heeft Mij nooit verlaten, omdat Ik altijd doe wat Hij wil.’

30 Toen Hij dit zei, geloofden velen dat Hij de Christus was. 31 Jezus zei tegen de Joden die in Hem geloofden: ‘Als u zich houdt aan wat Ik zeg, bent u werkelijk mijn leerlingen. 32 Dan zult u de waarheid kennen en door de waarheid bevrijd worden.’ 33 ‘Wij zijn nooit slaven geweest,’ zeiden zij. ‘Wij stammen af van Abraham. Hoe kunt u dan zeggen dat wij bevrijd moeten worden?’ 34 ‘Vergis u niet,’ antwoordde Jezus. ‘Ieder die zondigt, is een slaaf van de zonde. 35 Een slaaf heeft geen blijvende plaats in het huis, maar een zoon wel. 36 Als u door de Zoon van God wordt bevrijd, zult u werkelijk vrij zijn. 37 Ik weet heel goed dat u van Abraham afstamt. Toch probeert u Mij te doden, omdat mijn boodschap niet tot uw hart doordringt. 38 Ik vertel wat Ik bij mijn Vader gezien heb en u doet wat u van uw vader hebt gehoord.’ 39 ‘Abraham is onze vader,’ zeiden zij. ‘Als u kinderen van Abraham bent,’ antwoordde Jezus, ‘volg dan zijn goede voorbeeld. 40 Maar in plaats daarvan probeert u Mij te doden. Ik heb u nog wel de waarheid verteld, die Ik van God gehoord heb. Zoiets zou Abraham nooit doen. 41 U doet precies hetzelfde als uw echte vader.’ ‘Wij zijn niet uit ontucht geboren!’ protesteerden zij. ‘Niemand anders dan God is onze Vader.’

42 Jezus zei: ‘Als God uw Vader was, zou u van Mij houden. Want Ik ben van God uit naar u toegekomen. Ik ben niet uit Mijzelf gekomen, maar God heeft Mij gestuurd. 43 Waarom begrijpt u niet wat Ik zeg? Omdat u niet in staat bent mijn woorden aan te horen. 44 U bent kinderen van de duivel en doet graag wat hij wil. Hij is al sinds het begin een moordenaar en heeft altijd buiten de waarheid gestaan, want de waarheid is hem vreemd. Hij kan alleen maar liegen, hij is de bron van de leugen. 45 Omdat Ik de waarheid spreek, gelooft u Mij niet. 46 Wie van u kan Mij beschuldigen van iets slechts? Ik spreek de waarheid. Waarom gelooft u Mij dan niet? 47 Wie bij God hoort, begrijpt wat Hij zegt. Omdat u niet bij God hoort, begrijpt u Hem niet.’

48 ‘Hebben wij niet gezegd dat U een Samaritaan bent?’ zeiden de Joden. ‘U bent bezeten.’ 49 ‘Ik ben niet bezeten,’ antwoordde Jezus. ‘Ik eer mijn Vader, maar u doet niets anders dan Mij beledigen. 50 Ik ben overigens niet op mijn eigen eer uit. God geeft Mij eer en Hij is degene die oordeelt. 51 Onthoud dit: wie doet wat Ik zeg, zal nooit sterven.’ 52 ‘Nu weten wij zeker dat U bezeten bent,’ zeiden de Joden. ‘Abraham en de profeten zijn allemaal gestorven en U beweert dat ieder die doet wat U zegt, niet zal sterven. 53 U denkt toch zeker niet dat U meer bent dan onze stamvader Abraham? Hij en de profeten zijn gestorven. Wat verbeeldt U Zich wel?’

54 ‘Als Ik Mijzelf zou verheerlijken,’ antwoordde Jezus, ‘zou dat niets betekenen. Maar mijn Vader verheerlijkt Mij. En u zegt dat Hij uw God is. 55 U hebt Hem nooit leren kennen. Ik ken Hem wel. Als Ik zou zeggen dat Ik Hem niet ken, zou Ik een leugenaar zijn, net als u. Maar Ik ken Hem en doe wat Hij zegt. 56 Abraham keek met blijdschap uit naar mijn komst. Hij zag Mij komen en was erg blij.’ 57 ‘U bent nog geen vijftig jaar en U hebt Abraham al gezien?’ zeiden de Joden. 58 ‘Het is zoals Ik zeg,’ antwoordde Jezus. ‘Ik ben, al van voordat Abraham werd geboren.’ 59 Dit was voor hen aanleiding om stenen te pakken met de bedoeling Hem te stenigen. Maar Jezus verliet ongemerkt de tempel.

but 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 the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst, they say unto him, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act. [a]Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her? And this they said, trying him, that they might have whereof to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. But 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 with his finger wrote on the ground. And they, when they heard it, went out one by one, beginning from the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. 10 And Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto her, Woman, where are they? did no man condemn thee? 11 And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]

12 Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I come, or whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 Yea and if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17 Yea and in your law it is written, [b]that the witness of two men is true. 18 I am he that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 19 They said therefore unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye know neither me, nor my Father: if ye knew me, ye would know my Father also. 20 These words spake he in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man took him; because his hour was not yet come.

21 He said therefore again unto them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22 The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, that 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 except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 25 They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? Jesus said unto them, [c]Even that which I have also spoken unto you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you: howbeit he that sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these speak I unto the world. 27 They perceived not that he spake to them of the Father. 28 Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that [d]I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me; he hath not left me alone; for I do always the things that are pleasing to him. 30 As he spake these things, many believed on him.

31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered unto him, We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. 35 And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever. 36 If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; yet ye seek to kill me, because my word [e]hath not free course in you. 38 I speak the things which I have seen with [f]my Father: and ye also do the things which ye heard from your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye [g]were Abraham’s children, [h]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 heard from God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were 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 came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not [i]understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. [j]When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. 45 But because I say the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48 The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon? 49 Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me. 50 But 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 word, he shall never see death. 52 The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God; 55 and ye have not known him: but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be like unto you, a liar: but I know him, and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced [k]to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad. 57 The Jews therefore said 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 born, I am. 59 They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus [l]hid himself, and went out of the temple[m].

Footnotes

  1. John 8:5 Lev. 20:10; Dt. 22:22f.
  2. John 8:17 Compare Dt. 19:15; 17:6.
  3. John 8:25 Or, Altogether that which I also speak unto you
  4. John 8:28 Or, I am he: and I do
  5. John 8:37 Or, hath no place in you
  6. John 8:38 Or, the Father: do ye also therefore the things which ye heard from the Father.
  7. John 8:39 Greek are.
  8. John 8:39 Some ancient authorities read ye do the works of Abraham.
  9. John 8:43 Or, know
  10. John 8:44 Or, When one speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for his father also is a liar.
  11. John 8:56 Or, that he should see
  12. John 8:59 Or, was hidden, and went etc.
  13. John 8:59 Many ancient authorities add and going through the midst of them went his way and so passed by.

But Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach went to the Har HaZeytim (Mount of Olives).

And at the beginning of Shacharis, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach came again into the Beis Hamikdash and kol haAm (all the people) were coming to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, and having sat, for them he was saying a shiur.

And the Sofrim and the Perushim led an isha (woman) having been caught in ni’uf (adultery) and, having stood her in the midst [VAYIKRA 20:10],

They say to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Rabbi, this isha (woman) has been caught in the act of committing ni’uf (adultery).

Now in our Torah Moshe Rabbeinu gave us a mitzvah to stone such nashim. You, therefore, what do you say? [Lv 20:10; Dt 22:22-24; Job 31:11]

But this they were saying to put a nissayon before Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach that they might have something about which to accuse him, but he, having stooped down with his finger, was writing on the ground.

But as they were remaining, questioning him, he stood up and said to them, The one without chet (sin) among you, at her let him be first to throw a stone. [Dt 17:7; Ezek 16:40]

And again, having stooped down, he was writing on the ground.

And the ones having heard were departing, one by one, beginning with the zekenim, and he was left alone with the isha standing before him.

10 And having stood up, he said to her, Isha, where are they? Does no one condemn you?

11 And she said, No one, Adoni. And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, Neither do I condemn you. Go and practice chet no more.

12 Then again he spoke to them, saying, Ani Hu HaOhr HaOlam Hazeh. The one following me will never walk in choshech, but will have the Ohr HaChayyim. [Isa 9:1; 42:8; 49:6, 60:1,3 Prov 4:18]

13 Therefore, the Perushim said to him, You give solemn edut (testimony) about yourself. But your edut is not ne’emanah.

14 In reply, he said to them, Even if I give solemn edut about myself, my edut is ne’emanah, because I have da’as of where I came from and where I go, but you have no da’as of where I come from or where I go.

15 You judge according to the basar; I do not judge anyone. [1Sm 16:7]

16 But even if I judge, my psak din, my mishpat, is emes, because it is not I alone but the One having sent me, HaAv.

17 And it has been written even in your Torah, that the edut (testimony) of two is ne’emanah. [Dt 17:6; 19:15]

18 Ani Hu the one giving solemn edut (testimony) about myself and the One having sent me, HaAv, gives solemn edut about me.

19 Therefore, they were saying to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Where is HaAv of you? In reply, he said, You have da’as of neither me nor HaAv of me. If you had had da’as of me, you would have had da’as of HaAv of me.

20 These dvarim, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach spoke in the Beis HaOtzar while saying shiurim in the Beis Hamikdash, and no one arrested him, because his sha’ah had not yet come.

21 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, therefore, again to them, I go away and you will seek me, and in your chet you will go to your mavet. Where I go you are not able to come. [Dt 24:16; Ezek 3:18]

22 Therefore, those of Yehudah were saying, Does he mean he will commit suicide, because he says, Where I go you are not able to come?

23 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was saying to them, You are from mattah (below); Ani Hu from ma’lah (above). You are of the Olam Hazeh; I am not of the Olam Hazeh.

24 I said, therefore, to you that you will go to your mavet in your averos (sins), for if you do not have emunah (faith) that Ani Hu [YESHAYAH 41:4; SHEMOT 3:14-16], you will die in your chatta’im.

25 They were saying, therefore, to him, Who are you? Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Why should I even speak to you at all?

26 I have much to speak regarding you, much about you worthy of harsha’ah (condemnation), but the One having sent me is ne’eman and what I heard from Him these things I speak in the Olam Hazeh.

27 They did not have da’as that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was speaking to them about Elohim HaAv.

28 Therefore, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, When you perform the hagbah (lifting up) of the Ben HaAdam, you will have da’as that Ani Hu [YESHAYAH 41:4; SHEMOT 3:14-16], and from myself I do nothing, but as HaAv of me taught me, these things I speak.

29 And the One having sent me is with me [MISHLE 8:30]. He did not leave me alone, because I always do the things that please Him. [Prov 8:30; Isa 50:5; 43:10 TARGUM HASHIVIM]

30 As Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was saying these things, many put their emunah in him.

31 Therefore, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was saying to the Yehudim who had emunah in him, If you remain in the dvar of me [Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach], then you are my talmidim indeed.

32 And you will have da’as of HaEmes (the Truth) and HaEmes will give you cherut (freedom). [VAYIKRA 25:10; YESHAYAH 61:1-3; 53:4-12]

33 They answered Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, We are of the zera Avraham and to no one have we ever been enslaved. How do you say, You will become Bnei Chorin (freedmen)? [Neh 9:36]

34 In reply, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Omein, omein, I say to you that everyone practicing Chet is an eved HaChet. [BERESHIS 4:7]

35 But the eved does not remain in the Bais ad Olam. HaBen remains ad Olam. [BERESHIS 21:10; SHEMOT 21:2; DEVARIM 15:12]

36 If therefore HaBen makes you Bnei Chorin, you shall be Bnei Chorin indeed.

37 I have da’as that you are zera Avraham, but you seek to kill me, because my dvar has no place in you [Jer 31:31-34].

38 What I have seen in the presence of HaAv of me, of that, I make solemn declaration. Therefore, the things you have heard from your father you do.

39 They answered and said unto him, Avinu hu Avraham. Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to them, If you were yeladim of Avraham, you would have been doing the ma’asei Avraham.

40 But now you are seeking to kill me, a man who has told you HaEmes, which I heard from Hashem; this was not a ma’aseh that Avraham did. [TEHILLIM 15:2]

41 You are doing the ma’asim of your Av. They said, therefore, to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, We are not mamzerim who have been born of zenunim (fornication). We have Av Echad, Hashem. [Gn 38:24; Isa 63:16; 64:8; Mal 2:10; Dt 32:6].

42 He said to them, If Hashem were the Av of you, you would have had ahavah for me, for I came forth from Hashem, and now I am present here, for I have not come on my own, but HaAv sent me [Isa 55:11].

43 Why do you not understand my dvarim? Because you are not able to give obedient shemah (hearing) to my dvar.

44 You are from the Av of you, Hasatan [BERESHIS 3:4-5; TEHILLIM 58:4(3)], and the ta’avot of your Av you want to do, for that one was a rotze’ach from Bereshis, and he has not taken a stand in HaEmes, because HaEmes is not in him. When he speaks the sheker, he speaks naturally, because he is a shakran (liar) and the av of it. [Gn 3:4 2Ch 18:21; Ps 5:6; 12:2]

45 But because I speak HaEmes, you do not have bitachon (trust) in me.

46 Who among you convicts me of chet (sin)? If I speak HaEmes, why do you not have emunah in me?

47 The one who is of Hashem hears the divrei Hashem. Therefore, you do not hear because you are not of Hashem.

48 In reply, those of Yehudah said to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Did we not rightly say that you are a Shomroni (Samaritan) and that you have a shed (demon)?

49 In reply, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, I do not have a shed (demon). But I honor HaAv of me and you dishonor me.

50 But I do not seek my own kavod; there is One seeking and judging.

51 Omein, omein, I say to you, regarding the dvar of me, if anyone is shomer, he will never see mavet.

52 Therefore, those of Yehudah said to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Now we have da’as that you have a shed, Avraham died and the Nevi’im; yet you say if anyone keeps the dvar of me he will never taste mavet (death). [Hisgalus 21:8]

53 Surely you are not greater than Avraham Avinu, who died? And the Nevi’im died. Whom do you make yourself to be? [Zech 1:5]

54 In reply, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, If I give myself kavod, the kavod of me is nothing. It is HaAv of me Who is giving me kavod, Whom you say, He is Eloheinu. [YESHAYAH 63:16]

55 And you have not had da’as of Him. But I have had da’as of Him. If I would say that I do not have da’as of Him, I will be like you, a shakran (liar); but I do have da’as of Him, and I keep His dvar.

56 Avraham your Av had lev same’ach to see the Yom of me [the Yom HaMoshiach], and he saw it and had simcha. [BERESHIS 18:18]

57 Therefore those of Yehudah said to him, You do not yet possess fifty years and yet you have seen Avraham Avinu?

58 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Omein, omein, I say to you, before Avraham came into being, Ani Hu. [SHEMOT 3:4; 6:3; YESHAYAH 41:4; 43:10,13]

59 Then they took up stones that they might stone him, but Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was hidden and departed out of the Beis Hamikdash. [Ex 17:4; Lv 24:16; 1Sm 30:6]

but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.(A)

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.(B) The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.(C) Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap,(D) in order to have a basis for accusing him.(E)

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone(F) at her.”(G) Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,”(H) Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”(I)


Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am(J) the light of the world.(K) Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(L)

13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”(M)

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going.(N) But you have no idea where I come from(O) or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards;(P) I pass judgment on no one.(Q) 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.(R) 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.(S) 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”(T)

19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

“You do not know me or my Father,”(U) Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”(V) 20 He spoke these words while teaching(W) in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put.(X) Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.(Y)

Dispute Over Who Jesus Is

21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die(Z) in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”(AA)

22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.(AB) 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he,(AC) you will indeed die in your sins.”

25 “Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy,(AD) and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”(AE)

27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up[a] the Son of Man,(AF) then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.(AG) 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone,(AH) for I always do what pleases him.”(AI) 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.(AJ)

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,(AK) you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(AL)

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants(AM) and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.(AN) 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.(AO) 36 So if the Son sets you free,(AP) you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me,(AQ) because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,(AR) and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[b](AS)

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,”(AT) said Jesus, “then you would[c] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me,(AU) a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.(AV) Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.”(AW)

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”(AX)

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,(AY) for I have come here from God.(AZ) I have not come on my own;(BA) God sent me.(BB) 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil,(BC) and you want to carry out your father’s desires.(BD) He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.(BE) 45 Yet because I tell the truth,(BF) you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.(BG) The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan(BH) and demon-possessed?”(BI)

49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself;(BJ) but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”(BK)

52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed!(BL) Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham?(BM) He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself,(BN) my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.(BO) 55 Though you do not know him,(BP) I know him.(BQ) If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.(BR) 56 Your father Abraham(BS) rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it(BT) and was glad.”

57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,(BU) I am!”(BV) 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him,(BW) but Jesus hid himself,(BX) slipping away from the temple grounds.

Footnotes

  1. John 8:28 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
  2. John 8:38 Or presence. Therefore do what you have heard from the Father.
  3. John 8:39 Some early manuscripts “If you are Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then