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

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. He awoke early in the morning to return to the temple. When He arrived, the people surrounded Him, so He sat down and began to teach them. While He was teaching, the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman who was caught in the act of adultery; and they stood her before Jesus.

Pharisees: Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. Moses says in the law that we are to kill such women by stoning. What do You say about it?

This was all set up as a test for Jesus; His answers would give them grounds to accuse Him of crimes against Moses’ law. Jesus bent over and wrote something in the dirt with His finger. They persisted in badgering Jesus, so He stood up straight.

Jesus: Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has not sinned.

Once again Jesus bent down to the ground and resumed writing with His finger. The Pharisees who heard Him stood still for a few moments and then began to leave slowly, one by one, beginning with the older men. Eventually only Jesus and the woman remained, 10 and Jesus looked up.

Jesus: Dear woman, where is everyone? Are we alone? Did no one step forward to condemn you?

Woman Caught in Adultery: 11 Lord, no one has condemned me.

Jesus: Well, I do not condemn you either; all I ask is that you go and from now on avoid the sins that plague you.][a]

12 On another occasion, Jesus spoke to the crowds again.

Jesus: I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness.

Pharisees: 13 Jesus, what You are claiming about Yourself cannot possibly be true. The only person bearing witness is You.

Jesus: 14 Even if I am making bold claims about Myself—who I am, what I have come to do—I am speaking the truth. You see, I know where I came from and where I will go when I am done here. You know neither where I come from nor where I will go. 15 You spend your time judging by the wrong criteria, by human standards; but I am not here to judge anyone. 16 If I were to judge, then My judgment would be based on truth; but I would not judge anyone alone. I act in harmony with the One who sent Me. 17 Your law states that if the testimonies of two witnesses agree, their testimony is true. 18 Well, I testify about Myself, and so does the Father who sent Me here.

Pharisees: 19 Where is the Father who testifies on Your behalf?

Jesus: You don’t know the Father or Me. If you knew Me, then you would also know the Father.

20 Jesus said all of these things in the treasury while He was teaching in the temple; followers and opponents alike gathered to hear Him, but none of His enemies tried to seize Him because His time had not yet come.

Jesus (to the crowds): 21 I am leaving this place, and you will look for Me and die in your sin. For where I am going, you are unable to come.

Jews: 22 Is He suicidal? He keeps saying, “Where I am going, you are unable to come.”

Jesus: 23 You originate from the earth below, and I have come from the heavens above. You are from this world, and I am not. 24 That’s why I told you that you will die here as a result of your sins. Unless you believe I am who I have said I am, your sins will lead to your death.

Jews: 25 Who exactly are You?

Jesus: From the beginning of My mission, I have been telling you who I am. 26 I have so much to say about you, so many judgments to render; but if you hear one thing, hear that the One who sent Me is true, and all the things I have heard from Him I speak into the world.

27 The people had not understood that Jesus was teaching about the Father.

Jesus: 28 Whenever the day comes and you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He. It will be clear then that I am not acting alone, but that I am speaking the things I have learned directly from the Father. 29 The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not abandoned Me because I always do what pleases Him.

30 As Jesus was speaking, many in the crowd believed in Him.

Even though many believe, they can not imagine what He means about the lifting up of the Son of Man.

Jesus (to the new Jewish believers): 31 If you hear My voice and abide in My word, you are truly My disciples; 32 you will know the truth, and that truth will give you freedom.

Jewish Believers: 33 We are Abraham’s children, and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say to us, “You will be set free”?

Jesus: 34 I tell you the truth: everyone who commits sin surrenders his freedom to sin. He is a slave to sin’s power. 35 Even a household slave does not live in the home like a member of the family, but a son belongs there forever. 36 So think of it this way: if the Son comes to make you free, you will really be free.

Jesus notices that some of His opponents are listening, so He speaks louder and turns His remarks to them.

37 I know you are descendants of Abraham, but here you are plotting to murder Me because you do not welcome My voice into your lives. 38 As I speak, I am painting you a picture of what I have seen with My Father; here you are repeating the things you have seen from your father.

Jews: 39 Abraham is our father.

Jesus: If you are truly Abraham’s children, then act like Abraham! 40 From what I see you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that comes from the Father. This is not something Abraham would do, 41 but you are doing what you have learned from your father.

Jews: We were not born from adulterous parents; we have one Father: God.

Jesus: 42 I come from the one True God, and I’m not here on My own. He sent Me on a mission. If God were your Father, you would know that and would love Me. 43 You don’t even understand what I’m saying. Do you? Why not? It is because You cannot stand to hear My voice. 44 You are just like your true father, the devil; and you spend your time pursuing the things your father loves. He started out as a killer, and he cannot tolerate truth because he is void of anything true. At the core of his character, he is a liar; everything he speaks originates in these lies because he is the father of lies. 45 So when I speak truth, you don’t believe Me. 46-47 If I speak the truth, why don’t you believe Me? If you belong to God’s family, then why can’t you hear God speak? The answer is clear; you are not in God’s family. I speak truth, and you don’t believe Me. Can any of you convict Me of sin?

Jews: 48 We were right when we called You a demon-possessed Samaritan.

Jesus: 49-50 I’m not taken by demons. You dishonor Me, but I give all glory and honor to the Father. But I am not pursuing My own fame. There is only One who pursues and renders justice. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who hears My voice and keeps My word will never experience death.

Jews: 52 We are even more confident now that You are demon-possessed. Just go down the list: Abraham died, the prophets all died. Yet You say, “If you keep My word, you will never taste death.” 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died; remember? Prophets—are any of them still alive? No. Who do You think You are?

Jesus: 54 If I were trying to make Myself somebody important, it would be a waste of time. That kind of fame is worth nothing. It is the Father who is behind Me, urging Me on, giving Me praise. You say, “He is our God,” 55 but you are not in relationship with Him. I know Him intimately; even if I said anything other than the truth, I would be a liar, like you. I know Him, and I do as He says. 56 Your father Abraham anticipated the time when I would come, and he celebrated My coming.

Jews: 57 You aren’t even 50 years old, yet You have seen and talked with Abraham?

Jesus: 58 I tell you the truth; I AM before Abraham was born.

59 The people picked up stones to hurl at Him, but Jesus slipped out of the temple. Their murderous rage would have to wait.

Footnotes

  1. 7:53–8:11 Many early manuscripts omit these verses.

La mujer sorprendida en adulterio

Pero Jesús se fue al monte de los Olivos(A). Al amanecer, vino otra vez al templo, y todo el pueblo venía a Él; y sentándose, les enseñaba(B). Los escribas y los fariseos trajeron* a una mujer sorprendida en adulterio, y poniéndola en medio, dijeron* a Jesús: «Maestro, esta mujer ha sido sorprendida en el acto mismo del adulterio. Y en la ley, Moisés nos ordenó apedrear a esta clase de mujeres(C). ¿Tú, pues, qué dices?».

Decían esto, poniendo a prueba a Jesús(D), para tener de qué acusarlo(E). Pero Jesús se inclinó y con el dedo escribía en la tierra. Pero como insistían en preguntar, Jesús se enderezó(F) y les dijo: «El que de ustedes esté sin pecado, sea el primero(G)en tirarle una piedra(H)».

E inclinándose de nuevo, escribía en la tierra. Al oír ellos esto, se fueron retirando uno a uno comenzando por los de mayor edad, y dejaron solo a Jesús y a la mujer que estaba en medio. 10 Enderezándose(I) Jesús, le dijo: «Mujer, ¿dónde están ellos? ¿Ninguno te ha condenado?».

11 «Ninguno, Señor», respondió ella. Entonces Jesús le dijo: «Yo tampoco te condeno(J). Vete; y desde ahora no peques más(K)».

Jesús, la Luz del mundo

12 Jesús les habló otra vez, diciendo: «Yo soy la Luz del mundo(L); el que me sigue no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la Luz(M)de la vida». 13 Entonces los fariseos le dijeron: «Tú das testimonio de Ti mismo; Tu testimonio no es verdadero[a](N)».

14 Jesús les respondió: «Aunque Yo doy testimonio(O)de Mí mismo, Mi testimonio es verdadero, porque Yo sé de dónde he venido y adónde voy(P); pero ustedes no saben de dónde vengo(Q)ni adónde voy. 15 Ustedes juzgan según la carne[b](R); Yo no juzgo a nadie(S). 16 Pero si Yo juzgo, Mi juicio es verdadero; porque no soy Yo solo, sino Yo y el Padre que[c]me envió(T). 17 Aun en la ley de ustedes está escrito que el testimonio de dos hombres es verdadero(U). 18 Yo soy el que doy testimonio de Mí mismo, y el Padre que me envió da testimonio de Mí(V)».

19 Entonces le decían: «¿Dónde está Tu Padre?». «Ustedes no me conocen a Mí ni a Mi Padre», les respondió Jesús. «Si me conocieran, conocerían también a Mi Padre(W)».

20 Estas palabras las pronunció en el lugar del tesoro(X), cuando enseñaba en el templo(Y); y nadie lo prendió, porque todavía no había llegado Su hora(Z).

Advertencias a los incrédulos

21 Entonces Jesús les dijo de nuevo: «Yo me voy, y me buscarán(AA), y ustedes morirán en su pecado(AB); adonde Yo voy, ustedes no pueden ir». 22 Por eso los judíos(AC) decían: «¿Acaso se va a suicidar, puesto que dice: “Adonde Yo voy, ustedes no pueden ir(AD)”?».

23 Y Jesús les decía: «Ustedes son de abajo, Yo soy de arriba(AE); ustedes son de este mundo(AF), Yo no soy de este mundo(AG). 24 Por eso les dije que morirán en sus pecados; porque si no creen que Yo soy[d](AH), morirán en sus pecados(AI)».

25 «¿Tú quién eres?», le preguntaron. Jesús les contestó: «¿Qué les he estado diciendo desde el principio[e]? 26 Tengo mucho que decir y juzgar de ustedes, pero Aquel que me envió es veraz(AJ); y Yo, las cosas que oí de Él, estas digo al mundo(AK)».

27 Ellos no comprendieron que les hablaba del Padre. 28 Por eso Jesús les dijo: «Cuando ustedes levanten al Hijo del Hombre(AL), entonces sabrán que Yo soy[f](AM)y que no hago nada por Mi cuenta(AN), sino que hablo estas cosas como el Padre me enseñó. 29 Y Aquel que me envió está conmigo; no me ha dejado[g]solo(AO), porque Yo siempre hago lo que le agrada(AP)». 30 Al hablar estas cosas, muchos creyeron en Él(AQ).

Los verdaderos hijos de Abraham

31 Entonces Jesús decía a los judíos que habían creído en Él: «Si ustedes permanecen en Mi palabra(AR), verdaderamente son Mis discípulos(AS); 32 y conocerán la verdad(AT), y la verdad los hará libres(AU)». 33 Ellos le contestaron: «Somos descendientes de Abraham(AV) y nunca hemos sido esclavos de nadie. ¿Cómo dices Tú: “Serán libres”?».

34 Jesús les respondió: «En verdad les digo que todo el que comete pecado es esclavo del pecado(AW); 35 y el esclavo no queda en la casa para siempre(AX); el hijo permanece para siempre(AY). 36 Así que, si el Hijo los hace libres(AZ), ustedes serán realmente libres. 37 Sé que ustedes son descendientes de Abraham(BA); y sin embargo, me quieren matar(BB)porque Mi palabra no tiene aceptación en ustedes[h]. 38 Yo hablo lo que he visto con Mi Padre[i]; ustedes, entonces, hacen también lo que oyeron de su padre(BC)».

39 Ellos le contestaron: «Abraham es nuestro padre(BD)». Jesús les dijo*: «Si son hijos de Abraham(BE), hagan las obras de Abraham. 40 Pero ahora me quieren matar(BF), a Mí[j]que les he dicho la verdad que oí de Dios(BG). Esto no lo hizo Abraham. 41 Ustedes hacen las obras de su padre(BH)». Ellos le dijeron: «Nosotros no nacimos de fornicación; tenemos un Padre, es decir, Dios(BI)».

42 Jesús les dijo: «Si Dios fuera su Padre, me amarían(BJ), porque Yo salí de Dios y vine de Él(BK), pues no he venido por Mi propia iniciativa(BL), sino que Él[k]me envió(BM). 43 ¿Por qué no entienden lo que digo[l](BN)? Porque no pueden oír Mi palabra(BO).

44 »Ustedes son de su padre el diablo y quieren hacer los deseos de su padre(BP) . Él fue un asesino desde el principio(BQ) , y no se ha mantenido en la verdad porque no hay verdad en él. Cuando habla mentira[m] , habla de su propia naturaleza(BR) , porque es mentiroso(BS) y el padre de la mentira[n] . 45 Pero porque Yo digo la verdad(BT), no me creen. 46 ¿Quién de ustedes me prueba que tengo pecado? Y si digo verdad(BU), ¿por qué ustedes no me creen? 47 El que es de Dios escucha las palabras de Dios; por eso ustedes no escuchan, porque no son de Dios(BV)».

Jesús, anterior a Abraham

48 Los judíos(BW) le contestaron: «¿No decimos con razón que Tú eres samaritano(BX) y que tienes un demonio(BY)?». 49 Jesús respondió: «Yo no tengo ningún demonio(BZ), sino que honro a Mi Padre, y ustedes me deshonran a Mí. 50 Pero Yo no busco Mi gloria(CA); hay Uno que la busca, y juzga. 51 En verdad les digo que si alguien guarda Mi palabra(CB), no verá jamás la muerte(CC)».

52 Los judíos(CD) le dijeron: «Ahora sí sabemos que tienes un demonio(CE). Abraham murió, y también los profetas, y Tú dices: “Si alguien guarda Mi palabra(CF)no probará jamás la muerte(CG)”. 53 ¿Eres Tú acaso mayor que nuestro padre(CH) Abraham que murió? Los profetas también murieron; ¿quién crees que eres?[o]».

54 Jesús respondió: «Si Yo mismo me glorifico(CI), Mi gloria no es nada; es Mi Padre el que me glorifica(CJ), de quien ustedes dicen: “Él es nuestro Dios”. 55 Ustedes no lo han conocido(CK), pero Yo lo conozco; y si digo que no lo conozco seré un mentiroso como ustedes(CL); pero lo conozco(CM)y guardo Su palabra(CN). 56 Abraham, el padre de ustedes(CO), se regocijó esperando ver[p]Mi día; y lo vio y se alegró(CP)».

57 Por esto los judíos(CQ) le dijeron: «Aún no tienes cincuenta años, ¿y has visto a Abraham?». 58 Jesús les dijo: «En verdad les digo, que antes que Abraham naciera[q], Yo soy(CR)». 59 Entonces tomaron piedras para tirárselas(CS), pero Jesús se ocultó[r](CT) y salió del templo[s].

Footnotes

  1. 8:13 O válido.
  2. 8:15 I.e. según un criterio carnal.
  3. 8:16 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: yo y el que.
  4. 8:24 La mayoría de los eruditos bíblicos relacionan estas palabras con Éx. 3:14 YO SOY EL QUE SOY.
  5. 8:25 O Lo que les he dicho desde el principio.
  6. 8:28 Véase la nota, vers. 24.
  7. 8:29 O no me dejó.
  8. 8:37 O no progresa en ustedes.
  9. 8:38 O en la presencia del Padre.
  10. 8:40 Lit. a un hombre.
  11. 8:42 Lit. Aquél.
  12. 8:43 O mi manera de hablar.
  13. 8:44 Lit. la mentira.
  14. 8:44 Lit. el padre de ella.
  15. 8:53 Lit. ¿quién te haces?
  16. 8:56 Lit. para que viera.
  17. 8:58 Lit. viniera a ser.
  18. 8:59 Lit. fue ocultado.
  19. 8:59 Algunos mss. agregan: y pasando por en medio de ellos, se fue, y así pasó.