John 8
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
8 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
The Pharisees Bring Jesus a Woman Caught In Adultery
2 Now at dawn, He again arrived in the temple. And all the people were coming to Him. And having sat-down, He was teaching them. 3 And the scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman having been caught in adultery. And having stood her in the middle, 4 they say to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the-act, while committing-adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to be stoning such women[a]. What then do You say?” 6 Now they were saying this testing Him, in order that they might have grounds to be accusing Him. But Jesus, having stooped down, was writing in the ground with His finger. 7 But as they were continuing-on asking Him, He straightened-up and said to them, “Let the sinless one among you throw a stone at her first”. 8 And again having stooped-down, He was writing in the ground. 9 And the ones, having heard it, were going out one by one, beginning from the older ones. And He was left-behind alone, and the woman being in the middle. 10 And Jesus, having straightened up, said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 And the one said, “No one, Sir”. And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn[b] you. Go. And from now on, do not be sinning any longer”.
I Am The Light of The World, To Which I And My Father Are Testifying
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. The one following Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of [c] life”. 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself— Your testimony is not true”. 14 Jesus responded and said to them, “Even if I am testifying about Myself, My testimony is true, because I know from where I came, and where I am going. But you do not know from where I come, or where I am going. 15 You are judging according to the flesh. I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I am judging, My judgment is true, because I am not alone— but it is I and the Father having sent Me. 17 But even in your Law, it has been written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the One testifying about Myself. And the Father having sent Me is testifying about Me”. 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you knew Me, you would also know My Father”. 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, while teaching in the temple. And no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.
I Am Going Away. Unless You Believe That I Am The One, You Will Die In Your Sins
21 Then He said again to them, “I am going away. And you will seek Me. And you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you are not able to come”. 22 So the Jews were saying, “He will not kill Himself, will He— because He says, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come’?” 23 And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above. You are from this world, I am not from this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am[d] the One, you will die in your sins”.
I Am What I Have Been Saying I Am From The Beginning
25 So they were saying to Him, “Who[e] are You?” Jesus said to them, “What[f] thing from the beginning I am indeed telling you! 26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However, the One having sent Me is true. And what things I heard from Him— these things I am speaking to the world”. 27 They did not know that He was speaking to them about the Father.
When You Lift Up The Son of Man, You Will Know I Am The One
28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift-up[g] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the One, and I am doing nothing from Myself, but I am speaking these things just as the Father taught Me. 29 And the One having sent Me is with Me. He did not leave Me alone, because I am always doing the things pleasing to Him”. 30 While He was speaking these things, many believed in Him.
If You Remain In My Word, Then You Are Truly My Disciples And The Truth Will Set You Free
31 Then Jesus was saying to the Jews having believed Him, “If you remain[h] in My word, you are truly My disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”.
You Are Slaves of Sin. If The Son Sets You Free, You Will Truly Be Free
33 They responded to Him, “We are the seed of Abraham, and to no one have we ever been slaves[i]. How is it You say that ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you that everyone doing[j] sin is a slave of sin. 35 Now the slave does not remain in the house forever. The son remains forever. 36 Therefore if the Son sets you free, you will really[k] be free. 37 I know that you are the seed of Abraham. But you are seeking to kill Me, because My word is not advancing[l] in you. 38 I am speaking the things which I have seen with My[m] Father. And you therefore are doing[n] the things which you heard from your father”.
You Are Doing The Works of Your Father, Not Abraham
39 They responded and said to Him, “Our father is Abraham”. Jesus says to them, “If you are children of Abraham, you would be doing the works of Abraham. 40 But now[o] you are seeking to kill Me— a man Who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You are doing the works of your father”.
If God Were Your Father, You Would Be Loving Me. Your Father Is The Devil
So they said to Him, “We have not been born out of sexuality-immorality; we have one father— God”. 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would be loving Me, for I came-forth and am-here from God. For I have not even come of Myself, but that One sent Me forth. 43 For what reason are you not understanding My speaking? It is because you are not able to hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil. And you are wanting[p] to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer from the beginning, and was not standing[q] in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks the lie[r], he speaks from his own things, because he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I am speaking the truth, you are not believing Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me concerning sin? If I am speaking truth, for what reason are you not believing Me? 47 The one being of [s] God hears the words of God. For this reason you are not hearing— because you are not of God”.
I Am Honoring My Father. If You Keep My Word, You Will Never See Death
48 The Jews responded and said to Him, “Do we not rightly say that You are a Samaritan[t] and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I am honoring My Father, and you are dishonoring Me. 50 But I am not seeking My glory. There is the One seeking it, and judging. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you— if anyone keeps My word, he will never[u] see death, ever”.
You Do Not Know God, But I Do. And Abraham Was Glad When He Saw My Day
52 So the Jews said to Him, “Now we have come-to-know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets! And You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste death, ever!’ 53 You are not greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? The prophets died also. Whom do You make Yourself ?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. The One glorifying Me is My Father— Whom you say that ‘He is our God’. 55 And you have not come-to-know Him, but I know Him. And if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you. But I know Him, and I am keeping His word. 56 Abraham your father rejoiced-greatly to see My day. And he saw it, and was glad”.
Before Abraham Was, I Am. Hearing This, They Picked Up Stones To Kill Jesus
57 So the Jews said to Him, “You do not yet have fifty years, and You have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you— before Abraham came-into-being[v], I am[w]”. 59 Therefore they picked up stones in order that they might throw them at Him. But Jesus was hidden[x], and went out of the temple.
Footnotes
- John 8:5 Actually, Deut 22:22-24 and Lev 20:10 say both should be stoned.
- John 8:11 That is, execute sentence upon you at this time.
- John 8:12 That is, proceeding from; or, leading to.
- John 8:24 Or, I am He; that is, the Christ. Or, I am.
- John 8:25 The Jews try to get Jesus to state explicitly that He is the Christ, the Son of God, but He refuses to allow them to hear such a direct statement until His hour comes in Mt 27:63-64.
- John 8:25 Or this may be a question. Or, Exactly what thing I am. This is an idiomatic response, and scholars are not certain of the exact nuance. Plus there is a textual variant that allows this to be, How is it that I am even speaking to you at all? In any case, the point is clear: You ought to know who I am by now!
- John 8:28 Or, exalt, raise-high.
- John 8:31 Or, continue, abide, stay.
- John 8:33 That is, in a spiritual/religious sense. We have always freely worshiped the true God.
- John 8:34 Or, committing.
- John 8:36 Or, in-reality, in-truth. The Son will set you free to live in the Master’s (God’s) house as a family member.
- John 8:37 Or, making progress; or, making room, having a place.
- John 8:38 Or, the.
- John 8:38 Or this may be a command, Be doing.
- John 8:40 That is, at-the-present; or, as-it-is.
- John 8:44 Or, intending.
- John 8:44 Or, does not stand.
- John 8:44 Or, falsehood.
- John 8:47 That is, belonging to God.
- John 8:48 That is, you are making up your own religion.
- John 8:51 Or, by no means.
- John 8:58 Or, came-to-be, and in this sense ‘was’ or ‘was born’.
- John 8:58 Jesus is claiming to preexist Abraham, and therefore unlike v 24 and 28, His meaning is clear to them: He is claiming to be God, as in Ex 3:14; Isa 41:4; 43:10; 48:12, etc.
- John 8:59 That is, was hidden from them amidst the crowds as He went out of the temple. They could not find Him to stone Him. Or, hid Himself.
John 8
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 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,
3 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.
4 Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.
5 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)
6 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.
7 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.
8 Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger.
9 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
- John 8:2 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
- John 8:19 Capitalized because of Who He is, the everlasting Father, not who the speaker may have thought He was.
- John 8:20 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
- John 8:52 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
- John 8:59 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
