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y Jesús se fue al monte de los Olivos. Y por la mañana volvió al templo, y todo el pueblo vino a él; y sentado él, les enseñaba. Entonces los escribas y los fariseos le trajeron una mujer sorprendida en adulterio; y poniéndola en medio, le dijeron: Maestro, esta mujer ha sido sorprendida en el acto mismo de adulterio. Y en la ley nos mandó Moisés apedrear a tales mujeres.(A) Tú, pues, ¿qué dices? Mas esto decían tentándole, para poder acusarle. Pero Jesús, inclinado hacia el suelo, escribía en tierra con el dedo. Y como insistieran en preguntarle, se enderezó y les dijo: El que de vosotros esté sin pecado sea el primero en arrojar la piedra contra ella. E inclinándose de nuevo hacia el suelo, siguió escribiendo en tierra. Pero ellos, al oír esto, acusados por su conciencia, salían uno a uno, comenzando desde los más viejos hasta los postreros; y quedó solo Jesús, y la mujer que estaba en medio. 10 Enderezándose Jesús, y no viendo a nadie sino a la mujer, le dijo: Mujer, ¿dónde están los que te acusaban? ¿Ninguno te condenó? 11 Ella dijo: Ninguno, Señor. Entonces Jesús le dijo: Ni yo te condeno; vete, y no peques más.

Jesús, la luz del mundo

12 Otra vez Jesús les habló, diciendo: Yo soy la luz del mundo;(B) el que me sigue, no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida. 13 Entonces los fariseos le dijeron: Tú das testimonio acerca de ti mismo; tu testimonio no es verdadero.(C) 14 Respondió Jesús y les dijo: Aunque yo doy testimonio acerca de mí mismo, mi testimonio es verdadero, porque sé de dónde he venido y a dónde voy; pero vosotros no sabéis de dónde vengo, ni a dónde voy. 15 Vosotros juzgáis según la carne; yo no juzgo a nadie. 16 Y si yo juzgo, mi juicio es verdadero; porque no soy yo solo, sino yo y el que me envió, el Padre. 17 Y en vuestra ley está escrito que el testimonio de dos hombres es verdadero. 18 Yo soy el que doy testimonio de mí mismo, y el Padre que me envió da testimonio de mí. 19 Ellos le dijeron: ¿Dónde está tu Padre? Respondió Jesús: Ni a mí me conocéis, ni a mi Padre; si a mí me conocieseis, también a mi Padre conoceríais. 20 Estas palabras habló Jesús en el lugar de las ofrendas, enseñando en el templo; y nadie le prendió, porque aún no había llegado su hora.

A donde yo voy, vosotros no podéis venir

21 Otra vez les dijo Jesús: Yo me voy, y me buscaréis, pero en vuestro pecado moriréis; a donde yo voy, vosotros no podéis venir. 22 Decían entonces los judíos: ¿Acaso se matará a sí mismo, que dice: A donde yo voy, vosotros no podéis venir? 23 Y les dijo: Vosotros sois de abajo, yo soy de arriba; vosotros sois de este mundo, yo no soy de este mundo. 24 Por eso os dije que moriréis en vuestros pecados; porque si no creéis que yo soy, en vuestros pecados moriréis. 25 Entonces le dijeron: ¿Tú quién eres? Entonces Jesús les dijo: Lo que desde el principio os he dicho. 26 Muchas cosas tengo que decir y juzgar de vosotros; pero el que me envió es verdadero; y yo, lo que he oído de él, esto hablo al mundo. 27 Pero no entendieron que les hablaba del Padre. 28 Les dijo, pues, Jesús: Cuando hayáis levantado al Hijo del Hombre, entonces conoceréis que yo soy, y que nada hago por mí mismo, sino que según me enseñó el Padre, así hablo. 29 Porque el que me envió, conmigo está; no me ha dejado solo el Padre, porque yo hago siempre lo que le agrada. 30 Hablando él estas cosas, muchos creyeron en él.

La verdad os hará libres

31 Dijo entonces Jesús a los judíos que habían creído en él: Si vosotros permaneciereis en mi palabra, seréis verdaderamente mis discípulos; 32 y conoceréis la verdad, y la verdad os hará libres. 33 Le respondieron: Linaje de Abraham somos,(D) y jamás hemos sido esclavos de nadie. ¿Cómo dices tú: Seréis libres?

34 Jesús les respondió: De cierto, de cierto os digo, que todo aquel que hace pecado, esclavo es del pecado. 35 Y el esclavo no queda en la casa para siempre; el hijo sí queda para siempre. 36 Así que, si el Hijo os libertare, seréis verdaderamente libres. 37 Sé que sois descendientes de Abraham; pero procuráis matarme, porque mi palabra no halla cabida en vosotros. 38 Yo hablo lo que he visto cerca del Padre; y vosotros hacéis lo que habéis oído cerca de vuestro padre.

Sois de vuestro padre el diablo

39 Respondieron y le dijeron: Nuestro padre es Abraham. Jesús les dijo: Si fueseis hijos de Abraham, las obras de Abraham haríais. 40 Pero ahora procuráis matarme a mí, hombre que os he hablado la verdad, la cual he oído de Dios; no hizo esto Abraham. 41 Vosotros hacéis las obras de vuestro padre. Entonces le dijeron: Nosotros no somos nacidos de fornicación; un padre tenemos, que es Dios. 42 Jesús entonces les dijo: Si vuestro padre fuese Dios, ciertamente me amaríais; porque yo de Dios he salido, y he venido; pues no he venido de mí mismo, sino que él me envió. 43 ¿Por qué no entendéis mi lenguaje? Porque no podéis escuchar mi palabra. 44 Vosotros sois de vuestro padre el diablo, y los deseos de vuestro padre queréis hacer. Él ha sido homicida desde el principio, y no ha permanecido en la verdad, porque no hay verdad en él. Cuando habla mentira, de suyo habla; porque es mentiroso, y padre de mentira. 45 Y a mí, porque digo la verdad, no me creéis. 46 ¿Quién de vosotros me redarguye de pecado? Pues si digo la verdad, ¿por qué vosotros no me creéis? 47 El que es de Dios, las palabras de Dios oye; por esto no las oís vosotros, porque no sois de Dios.

La preexistencia de Cristo

48 Respondieron entonces los judíos, y le dijeron: ¿No decimos bien nosotros, que tú eres samaritano, y que tienes demonio? 49 Respondió Jesús: Yo no tengo demonio, antes honro a mi Padre; y vosotros me deshonráis. 50 Pero yo no busco mi gloria; hay quien la busca, y juzga. 51 De cierto, de cierto os digo, que el que guarda mi palabra, nunca verá muerte. 52 Entonces los judíos le dijeron: Ahora conocemos que tienes demonio. Abraham murió, y los profetas; y tú dices: El que guarda mi palabra, nunca sufrirá muerte. 53 ¿Eres tú acaso mayor que nuestro padre Abraham, el cual murió? ¡Y los profetas murieron! ¿Quién te haces a ti mismo? 54 Respondió Jesús: Si yo me glorifico a mí mismo, mi gloria nada es; mi Padre es el que me glorifica, el que vosotros decís que es vuestro Dios. 55 Pero vosotros no le conocéis; mas yo le conozco, y si dijere que no le conozco, sería mentiroso como vosotros; pero le conozco, y guardo su palabra. 56 Abraham vuestro padre se gozó de que había de ver mi día; y lo vio, y se gozó. 57 Entonces le dijeron los judíos: Aún no tienes cincuenta años, ¿y has visto a Abraham? 58 Jesús les dijo: De cierto, de cierto os digo: Antes que Abraham fuese, yo soy. 59 Tomaron entonces piedras para arrojárselas; pero Jesús se escondió y salió del templo; y atravesando por en medio de ellos, se fue.

pero Jesús se fue al monte de los Olivos. Al amanecer se presentó de nuevo en el Templo. Toda la gente se le acercó, y él se sentó a enseñarles. Entonces, los maestros de la Ley y los fariseos llevaron a una mujer sorprendida en adulterio y, poniéndola en medio del grupo, dijeron a Jesús:

—Maestro, a esta mujer se le ha sorprendido en el acto mismo de adulterio. En la Ley Moisés nos ordenó apedrear a tales mujeres. ¿Tú qué dices?

Con esta pregunta le estaban tendiendo una trampa, para tener de qué acusarlo. Pero Jesús se inclinó y con el dedo comenzó a escribir en el suelo. Y como ellos lo acosaban a preguntas, Jesús se incorporó y les dijo:

—Aquel de ustedes que esté libre de pecado, que tire la primera piedra.

E inclinándose de nuevo, siguió escribiendo en el suelo. Al oír esto, se fueron retirando uno tras otro, comenzando por los más viejos, hasta dejar a Jesús solo con la mujer, que aún seguía allí. 10 Entonces él se incorporó y le preguntó:

—Mujer, ¿dónde están?[a] ¿Ya nadie te condena?

11 —Nadie, Señor.

Jesús dijo:

—Tampoco yo te condeno. Ahora vete, y no vuelvas a pecar.

Validez del testimonio de Jesús

12 Una vez más Jesús se dirigió a la gente y dijo:

—Yo soy la luz del mundo. El que me sigue no andará en oscuridad, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida.

13 —Tú te presentas como tu propio testigo —alegaron los fariseos—, así que tu testimonio no es válido.

14 —Aunque yo sea mi propio testigo —respondió Jesús—, mi testimonio es válido, porque sé de dónde he venido y a dónde voy. Pero ustedes no saben de dónde vengo ni a dónde voy. 15 Ustedes juzgan según criterios humanos; yo, en cambio, no juzgo a nadie. 16 Y si lo hago, mis juicios son válidos porque no los emito por mi cuenta, sino en unión con el Padre que me envió. 17 En la Ley de ustedes está escrito que el testimonio de dos personas es válido. 18 Yo soy testigo de mí mismo y el Padre que me envió también da testimonio de mí.

19 Ellos preguntaron:

—¿Dónde está tu padre?

Jesús respondió:

—Ustedes no me conocen a mí ni a mi Padre. Si me conocieran, también conocerían a mi Padre.

20 Estas palabras las dijo Jesús en el lugar donde se depositaban las ofrendas, mientras enseñaba en el Templo. Pero nadie le echó mano, porque aún no había llegado su tiempo.

Yo no soy de este mundo

21 De nuevo Jesús les dijo:

—Yo me voy y ustedes me buscarán, pero en su pecado morirán. Adonde yo voy, ustedes no pueden ir.

22 Comentaban, por tanto, los judíos: «¿Acaso piensa suicidarse? ¿Será por eso que dice: “Adonde yo voy, ustedes no pueden ir”?».

23 —Ustedes son de aquí abajo —continuó Jesús—; yo soy de allá arriba. Ustedes son de este mundo; yo no soy de este mundo. 24 Por eso les he dicho que morirán en sus pecados, pues, si no creen que yo soy el que afirmo ser,[b] en sus pecados morirán.

25 —¿Quién eres tú? —le preguntaron.

—En primer lugar, ¿qué tengo que explicarles?[c] —contestó Jesús—. 26 Son muchas las cosas que tengo que decir y juzgar de ustedes. Pero el que me envió es veraz, y lo que le he oído decir es lo mismo que le repito al mundo.

27 Ellos no entendieron que les hablaba de su Padre. 28 Por eso Jesús añadió:

—Cuando hayan levantado al Hijo del hombre, sabrán ustedes que yo soy y que no hago nada por mi propia cuenta, sino que hablo conforme a lo que el Padre me ha enseñado. 29 El que me envió está conmigo; no me ha dejado solo, porque siempre hago lo que le agrada.

30 Mientras aún hablaba, muchos creyeron en él.

Los hijos de Abraham

31 Jesús se dirigió entonces a los judíos que habían creído en él, y les dijo:

—Si se mantienen fieles a mis palabras, serán realmente mis discípulos; 32 y conocerán la verdad, y la verdad los hará libres.

33 —Nosotros somos descendientes de Abraham —le contestaron—, y nunca hemos sido esclavos de nadie. ¿Cómo puedes decir que seremos liberados?

34 —Les aseguro que todo el que peca es esclavo del pecado —afirmó Jesús—. 35 Ahora bien, el esclavo no se queda para siempre en la familia; pero el hijo sí se queda en ella para siempre. 36 Así que, si el Hijo los libera, serán ustedes verdaderamente libres. 37 Yo sé que ustedes son descendientes de Abraham. Sin embargo, procuran matarme porque no está en sus planes aceptar mi palabra. 38 Yo hablo de lo que he visto en presencia del Padre; y ustedes hacen lo que de su padre han escuchado.

39 —Nuestro padre es Abraham —replicaron.

Entonces Jesús les contestó:

—Si fueran hijos de Abraham, harían lo mismo que él hizo. 40 Ustedes, en cambio, quieren matarme a mí, que les he expuesto la verdad que he recibido de parte de Dios. ¡Abraham jamás hizo algo así! 41 Las obras de ustedes son como las de su padre.

—Nosotros no somos hijos ilegítimos —le reclamaron—. Un solo Padre tenemos y es Dios mismo.

Los hijos del diablo

42 —Si Dios fuera su Padre —contestó Jesús—, ustedes me amarían, porque yo he venido de Dios y aquí me tienen. No he venido por mi propia cuenta, sino que él me envió. 43 ¿Por qué no entienden mi modo de hablar? Porque no pueden aceptar mi palabra. 44 Ustedes son de su padre, el diablo, cuyos deseos quieren cumplir. Desde el principio este ha sido un asesino, y no se mantiene en la verdad, porque no hay verdad en él. Cuando miente, expresa su propia naturaleza, porque es un mentiroso. ¡Es el padre de la mentira! 45 Y sin embargo a mí, que les digo la verdad, no me creen. 46 ¿Quién de ustedes me puede probar que soy culpable de pecado? Si digo la verdad, ¿por qué no me creen? 47 El que es de Dios escucha lo que Dios dice. Pero ustedes no escuchan, porque no son de Dios.

Declaración de Jesús acerca de sí mismo

48 —¿No tenemos razón al decir que eres un samaritano y que estás endemoniado? —replicaron los judíos.

49 —No estoy poseído por ningún demonio —contestó Jesús—. Tan solo honro a mi Padre; pero ustedes me deshonran a mí. 50 Yo no busco mi propia gloria; pero hay uno que la busca y él es el juez. 51 Les aseguro que el que cumple mi palabra nunca morirá.

52 —¡Ahora estamos convencidos de que estás endemoniado! —exclamaron los judíos—. Abraham murió, y también los profetas, pero tú sales diciendo que, si alguno guarda tu palabra, nunca morirá. 53 ¿Acaso eres tú mayor que nuestro padre Abraham? Él murió, y también murieron los profetas. ¿Quién te crees tú?

54 —Si yo me glorifico a mí mismo —les respondió Jesús—, mi gloria no significa nada. Pero quien me glorifica es mi Padre, el que ustedes dicen que es su Dios, 55 aunque no lo conocen. Yo, en cambio, sí lo conozco. Si dijera que no lo conozco, sería tan mentiroso como ustedes; pero lo conozco y cumplo su palabra. 56 Abraham, el padre de ustedes, se regocijó al pensar que vería mi día; y lo vio y se alegró.

57 —Ni a los cincuenta años llegas —dijeron los judíos—, ¿y has visto a Abraham?

58 Jesús afirmó:

—Les aseguro que, antes de que Abraham naciera, ¡yo soy!

59 Entonces los judíos tomaron piedras para arrojárselas, pero Jesús se escondió y salió inadvertido del Templo.[d]

Footnotes

  1. 8:10 ¿dónde están? Var. ¿dónde están los que te acusaban?
  2. 8:24 el que afirmo ser. Alt. aquel; también en v. 28.
  3. 8:25 En primer … explicarles? Alt. Lo que desde el principio he venido diciéndoles.
  4. 8:59 Templo. Var. Templo atravesando por en medio de ellos, y así se fue.

A woman is caught in adultery. Christ delivers her. The freedom of those who follow Christ. They accuse him of having the devil with him, and go about to stone him.

And Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, and early in the morning came again into the temple. And all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery, and set her in the midst, and said to him, Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, even in the act. Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned. What therefore do you say?

And they said this to bait him, to have something to accuse him of.

Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. And while they continued asking him, he lifted himself up and said to them, Let him who is without sin among you, cast the first stone at her. And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

And as soon as they heard that, they went out one by one, the eldest first. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the centre. 10 When Jesus lifted up himself again and saw no one but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are they, your accusers? Has no one condemned you? 11 She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees said to him, You bear witness of yourself; your witness is not true.

14 Jesus answered and said to them, Though I bear witness of myself, yet my witness is true, 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 judge after the flesh. I judge no one; 16 and yet if I do judge, my judgment is true. For I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me. 17 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 the Father who sent me bears witness of me.

19 Then they said to him, Where is your father?

Jesus answered, You know neither me, nor yet my Father. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.

20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. And no man laid hands on him, for his time was not yet come.

21 Then Jesus said again to them, I go my way; and you will seek me, and will die in your sins. Where I go, there you cannot come.

22 Then the Jews said, Will he kill himself? For he says, Where I go, there you cannot come.

23 And he said to them, You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you 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, Even the very same thing that I say to you. 26 I have many things to say, and to judge of you. Yea, and he who sent me is true. And I speak in the world those things that I have heard from him.

27 However, they did not understand that he was speaking of his Father. 28 Then Jesus said to them, When you have lifted up on high the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as my Father has taught me, even so I speak. 29 And he who sent me is with me. The Father has not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him.

30 As he spoke these words, many believed on him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed on him, If you continue in my words, then you are my very disciples and shall know the truth, 32 and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We are Abraham’s seed, and were never bond to any man. Why do you say then, You shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Truly truly I say to you that whoever commits sin, is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant does not abide in the house forever. But the Son abides forever. 36 If the Son therefore makes you free, then you are free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s seed. But you seek means to kill me, because my sayings have no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father, and you do that which you have seen with your father.

39 They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father.

Jesus said to them, If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the deeds of Abraham.  40 But now you are going about to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I have heard from God. This Abraham did not do. 41 You do the deeds of your father.

Then they said to him, We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, who is God.

42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, then you would love me. For I proceeded forth and come from God. Neither did I come of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not know my speech? Even because you cannot abide the hearing of my words. 44 You are of your father, the devil, and your will is to follow the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own nature. For he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 And because I tell you the truth, therefore you do not believe me. 46 Which of you can rebuke me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words. You therefore do not hear them, because you are not of God.

48 Then the Jews answered and said to him, Are we not right to say that you are a Samaritan and have a devil?

49 Jesus answered, I have no devil. But I honour my Father, and you have dishonoured me. 50 I do not seek my own glory, but there is one who seeks and judges. 51 Truly truly I say to you, if a person keeps my sayings, he shall never see death.

52 Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and also the prophets, and yet you say, If anyone keeps my sayings, he will never taste of death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do you make yourself out to be?

54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is of no value. It is my Father who honours me, whom you say is your God, 55 and yet you have not known him. But I know him. And if I said I did not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham was glad to see my day, and he saw it and rejoiced.

57 Then the Jews said to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said to them, Truly truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.

59 Then they took up stones to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

A Woman Caught in Adultery

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning he came again to the temple courts.[a] And all the people were coming,[b] and he sat down and[c] began to teach[d] them.

Now the scribes and the Pharisees brought to him a woman[e] caught in adultery. And standing her in their midst, they said to him, testing him,[f] “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery! Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (Now they were saying this to test him, so that they would have an occasion[g] to bring charges against him.) But Jesus, bending down, began to write[h] with his[i] finger on the ground, taking no notice.[j] And when they persisted in asking him, straightening up he said[k] to them, “The one of you without sin, let him throw the first stone at her!” And bending down again, he wrote on the ground. Now when they[l] heard it,[m] being convicted by their conscience,[n] they began to depart,[o] one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus[p] was left alone—and the woman who was in their midst. 10 So Jesus, straightening up and seeing no one except the woman,[q] said to her, “Where are those accusers of yours?[r] Does no one condemn you?” 11 And she said, “No one, Lord.” So Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and[s] sin no more.”]][t]

Jesus, the Light of the World

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world! The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify concerning yourself! Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify concerning myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I have come from and where I am going. But you do not know where I have come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to externals; I do not judge anyone. 16 But even if I judge, my judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 And even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true.[u] 18 I am the one who testifies concerning myself, and the Father who sent me testifies concerning me.”

19 So they were saying to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus replied, “You know neither me nor my Father! If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words by the treasury while[v] teaching in the temple courts,[w] and no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

Jesus Predicts His Death

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me and will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come!” 22 Then the Jews began to say,[x] “Perhaps he will kill himself, because he is saying, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’” 23 And he said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are from this world; I am not from this world. 24 Thus I said to you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”

25 So they began to say to him,[y] “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “What[z] I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but the one who sent me is true, and the things which I heard from him, these things I say to the world.” 27 (They did not know that he was speaking to them about the Father.)

28 Then Jesus said,[aa] “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will recognize that I am he, and I do nothing from myself, but just as the Father taught me, I say these things. 29 And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 While[ab] he was saying these things, many believed in him.

The Truth Will Set You Free

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have not been enslaved to anyone at any time. How do you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus replied to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And the slave does not remain in the household forever;[ac] the son remains forever.[ad] 36 So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are seeking to kill me, because my word makes no progress among you. 38 I speak the things that I have seen with the Father; so also you do the things that you have heard from the Father.”

The Priority of Jesus Over Abraham

39 They answered and said to him, “Abraham is our father!” Jesus said to them, “If you are children of Abraham, do the deeds of Abraham! 40 But now you are seeking to kill me, a man who spoke to you the truth which I heard from God. This Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father!”

They said[ae] to him, “We were not born from sexual immorality! We have one father, God!” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I have come forth from God and have come. For I have not come from myself, but that one sent me. 43 Why[af] do you not understand my way of speaking? Because you are not able to listen to my message. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father! That one was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own nature,[ag] because he is a liar and the father of lies.[ah] 45 But because I am telling the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who among you convicts me concerning sin? If I am telling the truth, why[ai] do you not believe me? 47 The one who is from God listens to the words of God. Because of this you do not listen—because you are not of God.”

48 The Jews answered and said to him, “Do we not correctly say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus replied, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me! 50 But I do not seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges! 51 Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never experience death forever.”[aj]

52 The Jews[ak] said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham and the prophets died, and you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death forever.’[al] 53 You are not greater than our father Abraham who died, are you?[am] And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself to be?” 54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 And you have not known him, but I know him. And if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you! But I know him and I keep his word. 56 Abraham your father rejoiced that he would see my day, and he saw it[an] and was glad.”

57 So the Jews said to him, “You are[ao] not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am!” 59 Then they picked up stones in order to throw them[ap] at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple courts.[aq]

Footnotes

  1. John 8:2 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  2. John 8:2 Some manuscripts have “were coming to him”
  3. John 8:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sat down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  4. John 8:2 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to teach”)
  5. John 8:3 Some manuscripts have “brought a woman”
  6. John 8:4 Some manuscripts omit “testing him
  7. John 8:6 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  8. John 8:6 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to write”)
  9. John 8:6 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  10. John 8:6 Some manuscripts omit “taking no notice”
  11. John 8:7 Some manuscripts have “he straightened up and said”
  12. John 8:9 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  13. John 8:9 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  14. John 8:9 Some manuscripts omit “being convicted by their conscience”
  15. John 8:9 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to depart”)
  16. John 8:9 Some manuscripts have “he”
  17. John 8:10 Some manuscripts omit “and seeing no one except the woman”
  18. John 8:10 Some manuscripts have “said to her, ‘Woman, where are they?”
  19. John 8:11 Some manuscripts have “and from now on”
  20. John 8:11 John 7:53–8:11 is not found in the earliest and best manuscripts and was almost certainly not an original part of the Gospel of John; one significant group of Greek manuscripts places it after Luke 21:38
  21. John 8:17 An allusion to Deut 17:6
  22. John 8:20 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“teaching”) which is understood as temporal
  23. John 8:20 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  24. John 8:22 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to say”)
  25. John 8:25 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to say”)
  26. John 8:25 Literally “that which”
  27. John 8:28 Some manuscripts have “said to them”
  28. John 8:30 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was saying”)
  29. John 8:35 Literally “for the age”
  30. John 8:35 Literally “for the age”
  31. John 8:41 Some manuscripts have “Then they said”
  32. John 8:43 Literally “because of what”
  33. John 8:44 *The word “nature” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  34. John 8:44 Literally “of it”
  35. John 8:46 Literally “because of what”
  36. John 8:51 Literally “for the age”
  37. John 8:52 Some manuscripts have “Then the Jews”
  38. John 8:52 Literally “for the age”
  39. John 8:53 *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “are you
  40. John 8:56 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  41. John 8:57 Literally “you have”
  42. John 8:59 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  43. John 8:59 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself

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