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John 8
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Chapter 8

A Woman Caught in Adultery.[a] [53 Then each went to his own house, 1 while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.[b](A) 2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 4 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.[c] So what do you say?”(B) 6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.[d] 7 [e]But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them,(C) “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”(D) 11 She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more.”](E)

The Light of the World.[f] 12 Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(F) 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,[g] because 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.(G) 15 You judge by appearances,[h] but I do not judge anyone.(H) 16 And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid, because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me.(I) 17 Even in your law[i] it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified.(J) 18 I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.”(K) 19 So they said to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”(L) 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the treasury in the temple area. But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.(M)

Jesus, the Father’s Ambassador.[j] 21 He said to them again, “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin.[k] Where I am going you cannot come.”(N) 22 [l]So the Jews said, “He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world.(O) 24 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM,[m] you will die in your sins.”(P) 25 [n]So they said to him, “Who are you?”(Q) Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world.”(R) 27 They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. 28 So Jesus said [to them], “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me.(S) 29 The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” 30 Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

Jesus and Abraham.[o] 31 Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him,[p] “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(T) 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.[q] How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”(U) 34 Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.(V) 35 A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son[r] always remains.(W) 36 So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. 38 [s]I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”

39 [t]They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them,(X) “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. 41 You are doing the works of your father!” [So] they said to him, “We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God.”(Y) 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.(Z) 43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? Because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies.(AA) 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Can any of you charge me with sin? If I am telling the truth, why do you not believe me?(AB) 47 Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not listen, because you do not belong to God.”(AC)

48 The Jews answered and said to him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan[u] and are possessed?” 49 Jesus answered, “I am not possessed; I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. 50 I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the one who judges.(AD) 51 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”(AE) 52 [So] the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham,[v] who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?”(AF) 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word.(AG) 56 Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it[w] and was glad.(AH) 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?”[x] 58 [y]Jesus said to them,(AI) “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. 7:53–8:11 The story of the woman caught in adultery is a later insertion here, missing from all early Greek manuscripts. A Western text-type insertion, attested mainly in Old Latin translations, it is found in different places in different manuscripts: here, or after Jn 7:36 or at the end of this gospel, or after Lk 21:38, or at the end of that gospel. There are many non-Johannine features in the language, and there are also many doubtful readings within the passage. The style and motifs are similar to those of Luke, and it fits better with the general situation at the end of Lk 21, but it was probably inserted here because of the allusion to Jer 17:13 (cf. note on Jn 8:6) and the statement, “I do not judge anyone,” in Jn 8:15. The Catholic Church accepts this passage as canonical scripture.
  2. 8:1 Mount of Olives: not mentioned elsewhere in the gospel tradition outside of passion week.
  3. 8:5 Lv 20:10 and Dt 22:22 mention only death, but Dt 22:23–24 prescribes stoning for a betrothed virgin.
  4. 8:6 Cf. Jer 17:13 (RSV): “Those who turn away from thee shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water”; cf. Jn 7:38.
  5. 8:7 The first stones were to be thrown by the witnesses (Dt 17:7).
  6. 8:12–20 Jesus the light of the world. Jesus replaces the four torches of the illumination of the temple as the light of joy.
  7. 8:14 My testimony can be verified: this seems to contradict Jn 5:31, but the emphasis here is on Jesus’ origin from the Father and his divine destiny. Where I am going: indicates Jesus’ passion and glorification.
  8. 8:15 By appearances: literally, “according to the flesh.” I do not judge anyone: superficial contradiction of Jn 5:22, 27, 30; here the emphasis is that the judgment is not by material standards.
  9. 8:17 Your law: a reflection of later controversy between church and synagogue.
  10. 8:21–30 He whose ambassador I am is with me. Jesus’ origin is from God; he can reveal God.
  11. 8:21 You will die in your sin: i.e., of disbelief; cf. Jn 8:24. Where I am going you cannot come: except through faith in Jesus’ passion-resurrection.
  12. 8:22 The Jews suspect that he is referring to his death. Johannine irony is apparent here; Jesus’ death will not be self-inflicted but destined by God.
  13. 8:24, 28 I AM: an expression that late Jewish tradition understood as Yahweh’s own self-designation (Is 43:10); see note on Jn 4:26. Jesus is here placed on a par with Yahweh.
  14. 8:25 What I told you from the beginning: this verse seems textually corrupt, with several other possible translations: “(I am) what I say to you”; “Why do I speak to you at all?” The earliest attested reading (Bodmer Papyrus P66) has (in a second hand), “I told you at the beginning what I am also telling you (now).” The answer here (cf. Prv 8:22) seems to hinge on a misunderstanding of Jn 8:24 “that I AM” as “what I am.”
  15. 8:31–59 Jesus’ origin (“before Abraham”) and destiny are developed; the truth will free them from sin (Jn 8:34) and death (Jn 8:51).
  16. 8:31 Those Jews who believed in him: a rough editorial suture, since in Jn 8:37 they are described as trying to kill Jesus.
  17. 8:33 Have never been enslaved to anyone: since, historically, the Jews were enslaved almost continuously, this verse is probably Johannine irony, about slavery to sin.
  18. 8:35 A slave…a son: an allusion to Ishmael and Isaac (Gn 16; 21), or to the release of a slave after six years (Ex 21:2; Dt 15:12).
  19. 8:38 The Father: i.e., God. It is also possible, however, to understand the second part of the verse as a sarcastic reference to descent of the Jews from the devil (Jn 8:44), “You do what you have heard from [your] father.”
  20. 8:39 The works of Abraham: Abraham believed; cf. Rom 4:11–17; Jas 2:21–23.
  21. 8:48 Samaritan: therefore interested in magical powers; cf. Acts 7:14–24.
  22. 8:53 Are you greater than our father Abraham?: cf. Jn 4:12.
  23. 8:56 He saw it: this seems a reference to the birth of Isaac (Gn 17:7; 21:6), the beginning of the fulfillment of promises about Abraham’s seed.
  24. 8:57 The evidence of the third-century Bodmer Papyrus P75 and the first hand of Codex Sinaiticus indicates that the text originally read: “How can Abraham have seen you?”
  25. 8:58 Came to be, I AM: the Greek word used for “came to be” is the one used of all creation in the prologue, while the word used for “am” is the one reserved for the Logos.
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Yochanan 8
Orthodox Jewish Bible

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

2 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.

3 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],

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

5 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]

6 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.

7 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]

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

9 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]

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