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 the Light of the World

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

Now [a]early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and (A)taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, [b]this woman was caught in (B)adultery, in the very act. (C)Now [c]Moses, in the law, commanded us [d]that such should be stoned. But what do You [e]say?” This they said, testing Him, that they (D)might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, [f]as though He did not hear.

So when they continued asking Him, He [g]raised Himself up and said to them, (E)“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, (F)being[h] convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up [i]and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers [j]of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, (G)“Neither do I condemn you; go [k]and (H)sin no more.”

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, (I)“I am the light of the world. He who (J)follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Jesus Defends His Self-Witness

13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, (K)“You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not [l]true.”

14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but (L)you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 (M)You judge according to the flesh; (N)I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for (O)I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 (P)It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and (Q)the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”

Jesus answered, (R)“You know neither Me nor My Father. (S)If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

20 These words Jesus spoke in (T)the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and (U)no one laid hands on Him, for (V)His hour had not yet come.

Jesus Predicts His Departure

21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and (W)you will seek Me, and (X)will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”

22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?”

23 And He said to them, (Y)“You are from beneath; I am from above. (Z)You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 (AA)Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; (AB)for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”

And Jesus said to them, “Just what I (AC)have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but (AD)He who sent Me is true; and (AE)I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”

27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.

28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you (AF)lift[m] up the Son of Man, (AG)then you will know that I am He, and (AH)that I do nothing of Myself; but (AI)as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And (AJ)He who sent Me is with Me. (AK)The Father has not left Me alone, (AL)for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, (AM)many believed in Him.

The Truth Shall Make You Free

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you (AN)abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the (AO)truth, and (AP)the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, (AQ)“We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (AR)whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And (AS)a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 (AT)Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Abraham’s Seed and Satan’s

37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but (AU)you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 (AV)I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have [n]seen with your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, (AW)“Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, (AX)“If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 (AY)But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth (AZ)which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.”

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; (BA)we have one Father—God.”

42 Jesus said to them, (BB)“If God were your Father, you would love Me, for (BC)I proceeded forth and came from God; (BD)nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 (BE)Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 (BF)You are of your father the devil, and the (BG)desires of your father you want to (BH)do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and (BI)does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 (BJ)He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

Before Abraham Was, I AM

48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and (BK)have a demon?”

49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and (BL)you dishonor Me. 50 And (BM)I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, (BN)if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You (BO)have a demon! (BP)Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. (BQ)Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

54 Jesus answered, (BR)“If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. (BS)It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is [o]your God. 55 Yet (BT)you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and (BU)keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham (BV)rejoiced to see My day, (BW)and he saw it and was glad.”

57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, (BX)before Abraham was, (BY)I AM.”

59 Then (BZ)they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, (CA)going[p] through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Footnotes

  1. John 8:2 M very early
  2. John 8:4 M we found this woman
  3. John 8:5 M in our law Moses commanded
  4. John 8:5 NU, M to stone such
  5. John 8:5 M adds about her
  6. John 8:6 NU, M omit as though He did not hear
  7. John 8:7 M He looked up
  8. John 8:9 NU, M omit being convicted by their conscience
  9. John 8:10 NU omits and saw no one but the woman; M He saw her and said,
  10. John 8:10 NU, M omit of yours
  11. John 8:11 NU, M add from now on
  12. John 8:13 valid as testimony
  13. John 8:28 Crucify
  14. John 8:38 NU heard from
  15. John 8:54 NU, M our
  16. John 8:59 NU omits the rest of v. 59.

The Adulterous Woman

But Jesus went to (A)the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning He came again into the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and (B)He sat down and began teaching them. Now the scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, and after placing her in the center of the courtyard, they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the Law, (C)Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” Now they were saying this to (D)test Him, (E)so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. When they persisted in asking Him, (F)He straightened up and said to them, (G)He who is without sin among you, let him be the (H)first to throw a stone at her.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Now when they heard this, they began leaving, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman where she was, in the center of the courtyard. 10 And (I)straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, (J)I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not (K)sin any longer.”]]

Jesus Is the Light of the World

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, (L)I am the Light of the world; (M)the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “(N)You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not [b]true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, (O)Even if I am testifying about Myself, My testimony is [c]true, because I know (P)where I came from and where I am going; but (Q)you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 (R)You judge [d]according to the flesh; (S)I am not judging anyone. 16 But even (T)if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17 Even in (U)your Law it has been written that the testimony of (V)two people is [e]true. 18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and (W)the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; (X)if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” 20 These words He spoke [f]in (Y)the treasury, as (Z)He taught in the temple area; and no one arrested Him, because (AA)His hour had not yet come.

21 Then He said again to them, “I am going away, and (AB)you will look for Me, and (AC)will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So (AD)the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, (AE)Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 And He was saying to them, (AF)You are from below, I am from above; (AG)you are of this world, (AH)I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you (AI)will die in your sins; for unless you believe that [g](AJ)I am, (AK)you will die in your sins.” 25 Then they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, [h]What have I even been saying to you from the beginning? 26 I have many things to say and to judge regarding you, but (AL)He who sent Me is true; and (AM)the things which I heard from Him, these I say to the world.” 27 They did not realize that He was speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you (AN)lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that [i](AO)I am, and (AP)I do nothing [j]on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me; (AQ)He [k]has not left Me alone, for (AR)I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” 30 As He said these things, (AS)many came to believe in Him.

The Truth Will Set You Free

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, (AT)If you continue in My word, then you are truly My (AU)disciples; 32 and (AV)you will know the truth, and (AW)the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered Him, “(AX)We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, (AY)everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 Now (AZ)the slave does not remain in the house forever; (BA)the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son (BB)sets you free, you really will be free. 37 I know that you are (BC)Abraham’s descendants; yet (BD)you are seeking to kill Me, because My word [l]has no place in you. 38 I speak of the things which I have seen [m]with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from (BE)your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is (BF)our father.” Jesus *said to them, (BG)If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is, (BH)you are seeking to kill Me, a Man who has (BI)told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of (BJ)your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born as a result of sexual immorality; (BK)we have one Father: God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, (BL)you would love Me, (BM)for I came forth from God and am here; for I have (BN)not even come [n]on My own, but [o](BO)He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand [p](BP)what I am saying? It is because you cannot (BQ)listen to My word. 44 (BR)You are of (BS)your father the devil, and (BT)you want to do the desires of your father. (BU)He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because (BV)there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells [q]a lie, he (BW)speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of [r]lies. 45 But because (BX)I say the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If (BY)I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 (BZ)The one who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”

48 (CA)The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not rightly say that You are a (CB)Samaritan, and You (CC)have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not (CD)have a demon; on the contrary, I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 But (CE)I am not seeking My glory; there is One who seeks it, and judges. 51 Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone (CF)follows My word, he will never (CG)see death.” 52 (CH)The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You (CI)have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets as well; and yet You say, ‘If anyone (CJ)follows My word, he will never (CK)taste of death.’ 53 You (CL)are not greater than our father Abraham, who died, are You? The prophets died too. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, (CM)If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; (CN)it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and (CO)you have not come to know Him, (CP)but I know Him. And if I say that I do not know Him, I will be (CQ)a liar like you; (CR)but I do know Him, and I (CS)follow His word. 56 (CT)Your father Abraham was (CU)overjoyed that he would see My day, and he saw it and rejoiced.” 57 (CV)So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham [s]was born, [t](CW)I am.” 59 Therefore they (CX)picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus (CY)hid Himself and left the temple grounds.

Footnotes

  1. John 8:11 Or Sir
  2. John 8:13 Or valid
  3. John 8:14 Or valid
  4. John 8:15 I.e., by a carnal standard
  5. John 8:17 I.e., valid or admissible
  6. John 8:20 Or at
  7. John 8:24 Or I AM, you will die...; Jesus may be referring to Ex 3:14, I AM WHO I AM
  8. John 8:25 Or That which I have even been saying to you from the beginning
  9. John 8:28 Or I AM, and...; (see note v 24)
  10. John 8:28 Or of Myself
  11. John 8:29 Or did not leave
  12. John 8:37 Or is making no headway among you
  13. John 8:38 Or in the presence of
  14. John 8:42 Or of Myself
  15. John 8:42 Lit that One
  16. John 8:43 Or My way of speaking
  17. John 8:44 Lit the lie
  18. John 8:44 Lit it
  19. John 8:58 Lit came into being
  20. John 8:58 Or I AM; Jesus may be referring to Ex 3:14, I AM WHO I AM

淫婦獲赦

眾人都回家去了,耶穌卻上了橄欖山。 第二天清晨,祂又回到聖殿。百姓聚集在祂那裡,祂就坐下來教導他們。 這時候,律法教師和法利賽人帶來一個通姦時被捉的女人,讓她站在眾人面前, 然後問耶穌:「老師,這個女人是在通姦時被捉到的。 按摩西的律法,我們要用石頭把她打死,你說該怎麼處置她呢?」

他們這樣問是要使耶穌落在他們的圈套裡,可以有藉口控告祂。耶穌卻只是彎著腰用指頭在地上寫字。 他們不斷地追問耶穌,於是祂直起腰來,對他們說:「你們中間誰沒有罪,誰就先拿石頭打她吧。」 說完,又彎下腰在地上寫字。

他們聽了這句話,就從老到少一個一個地走了,只剩下耶穌和那個女人在那裡。 10 耶穌直起腰來,說:「婦人,他們到哪裡去了?沒有人定你的罪嗎?」

11 她說:「主啊,沒有。」

耶穌說:「我也不定你的罪。回去吧,從今以後不要再犯罪了。」

世界的光

12 耶穌又對眾人說:「我是世界的光,凡跟從我的,必不會走在黑暗裡,必要得到生命的光。」

13 法利賽人對祂說:「你自己為自己做見證,你的見證不真實。」

14 耶穌說:「即便我自己為自己做見證,我的見證仍是真實的,因為我知道自己從哪裡來、要到哪裡去,你們卻不知道我從哪裡來、要到哪裡去。 15 你們只憑外表判斷別人,我卻不判斷人。 16 就算我判斷人,我的判斷也是正確的,因為我不是獨自一人,還有差我來的父與我同在。 17 你們的律法不是說兩個人做見證就有效嗎? 18 我是自己為自己做見證,差我來的父也為我做見證。」

19 他們問:「你的父在哪裡?」

耶穌回答說:「你們不認識我,也不認識我的父。如果你們認識我,也會認識我的父。」 20 耶穌在聖殿的庫房這樣教導人,但沒有人抓祂,因為祂的時候還沒有到。

警告不信的人

21 耶穌又對他們說:「我要走了,你們會尋找我,你們將死在自己的罪中。我去的地方,你們不能去。」

22 猶太人說:「祂說祂去的地方我們不能去,難道祂想自殺嗎?」

23 耶穌對他們說:「你們是從下面來的,我是從上面來的。你們屬於這世界,我不屬於這世界。 24 所以我說你們將死在自己的罪中,你們如果不相信我就是[a]那一位,一定會死在自己的罪中。」

25 他們問:「你到底是誰?」

耶穌回答說:「我不是早就告訴你們了嗎? 26 關於你們,我有許多要說、要審判的,但差我來的那位是真實的,我把從祂那裡聽到的告訴世人。」 27 他們不明白耶穌是指著父說的。

28 於是耶穌說:「你們舉起人子以後,必知道我就是那一位,並且知道我沒有一件事是憑自己做的,我所說的都是父教導我的。 29 差我來的那位跟我在一起,祂沒有撇下我,讓我孤單一人,因為我做的都是祂所喜悅的。」 30 許多人因為這番話而信了耶穌。

真正的自由

31 耶穌對信祂的猶太人說:「你們若持守我的道,就真是我的門徒了。 32 你們必認識真理,真理必叫你們得到自由。」

33 他們說:「我們是亞伯拉罕的子孫,從來沒有做過奴隸,你為什麼說我們可以得到自由呢?」

34 耶穌說:「我實實在在地告訴你們,所有犯罪的人都是罪的奴隸。 35 奴隸不能永遠留在主人的家裡,只有兒子才可以。 36 所以,如果上帝的兒子釋放了你們,你們就真正自由了!

耶穌和亞伯拉罕

37 「我知道你們是亞伯拉罕的子孫,但你們卻想殺我,因為你們心裡容不下我的道。 38 我所說的,是我從父那裡看到的,你們卻照著你們父[b]的話去做。」

39 他們說:「我們的父就是亞伯拉罕!」

耶穌說:「你們如果真是亞伯拉罕的子孫,一定會做他所做的事。 40 我把從上帝那裡聽到的真理告訴你們,你們反要殺我,亞伯拉罕絕不做這樣的事。 41 你們是在作你們父所做的事。」

他們說:「我們不是從淫亂生的!我們只有一位父,就是上帝。」

42 耶穌說:「如果上帝是你們的父,你們一定會愛我,因為我來自上帝。如今我在這裡,我不是憑自己來的,而是上帝差我來的, 43 你們為什麼不明白我的話呢?因為你們聽不進去我的道。 44 你們是出於你們的父魔鬼,你們樂意順著牠的私慾行。魔鬼從起初就是個殺人兇手,從不站在真理這一邊,因為牠心裡根本沒有真理。撒謊是牠的本性,因為牠是撒謊者,又是撒謊者的始祖。 45 所以,我講真理的時候,你們不信我。 46 你們誰能指證我有罪呢?我既然把真理告訴了你們,你們為什麼還不信我呢? 47 出於上帝的人聽上帝的話,你們不聽上帝的話,因為你們不是出於上帝。」

48 猶太人對祂說:「我們說你是撒瑪利亞人[c],被鬼附身了,難道不對嗎?」

49 耶穌說:「我沒有被鬼附身。我尊敬我的父,你們卻侮辱我。 50 我不為自己尋求榮耀,但有一位會為我尋求,祂也會斷定誰是誰非。 51 我實實在在地告訴你們,人如果遵行我的道,必永遠不死。」

52 那些猶太人說:「現在我們的確知道你是被鬼附身了!亞伯拉罕和眾先知都死了,你還說人如果遵行你的道,必永遠不死。 53 難道你比我們的祖先亞伯拉罕還大嗎?他死了,先知們也死了,你以為你是誰?」

54 耶穌說:「如果我為自己爭取榮耀,那榮耀算不了什麼。但使我得榮耀的是我的父,你們也稱祂為你們的上帝。 55 你們不認識祂,我卻認識祂。如果我說我不認識祂,那我就像你們一樣是說謊的。然而,我認識祂,並且遵行祂的道。 56 你們的祖先亞伯拉罕曾經歡歡喜喜地盼望看到我來的日子。他看見了,就歡喜快樂。」

57 猶太人說:「你還不到五十歲,怎麼會見過亞伯拉罕呢?」

58 耶穌說:「我實實在在地告訴你們,亞伯拉罕還沒有出生,我就已經存在了[d]。」 59 於是,他們就拿起石頭要打祂,耶穌卻避開他們,離開了聖殿。

Footnotes

  1. 8·24 耶稣用「我就是」這個詞提醒聽衆祂就是出埃及記3·14節提到的那位自有永有的上帝,8·28同。
  2. 8·38 猶太文化中,「父」可指生身的父,亦可泛指祖先。
  3. 8·48 撒瑪利亞人血統不純,常被猶太人藐視,並當作罵人的話。
  4. 8·58 我就已經存在了」希臘文是「我是」,參見8·24注。