John 8

In the Temple

John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

He left the temple and went to a favorite place to be alone in prayer to the Father.

John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

He was recognized as a teacher who spoke with authority. The people came to him and those sent to bring him to the cheif priests and pharisees were astonished at his doctrine.

John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

They were trying to find an excuse to convict Jesus of breaking the law. In truth, if Jesus were to break only one law he would not be able to pay the price for our sins, on the cross. Jesus did not sin, contrast this to the hearts and sins of all others. The men waited for his reply.

John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

He was in the temple when he wrote on the ground. Perhaps with his finger in the dust. This was the finger of God writing, to convict these men of their own sin and hypocrisy. Remember the hand that appeared and wrote on the wall of the Babylonian king as the drank from the holy vessels of the temple? He was weighed in the balance and found lacking. He was convicted and judged by God.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

They wished to judged and execute this woman for her sin. Jesus says in affect, which of you are without sin? God is a pure and righteous judge, but these men were sinners as much as the one they accused. Perhaps one of them had caused her to sin in this way. An accuser is usually as guilty as the accused. Satan is the master accuser. He tempts and leads people astray and then accuses them when they fall. Is this not the spirit in those who were seeking to cause Jesus to sin? We must discern the spirits. God is kind, he will convict of sin and lead you to repentance. Satan will lead you to sin and accuse you in order to kill you.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

We do not know what he wrote, but we do know that Jesus knew each heart. God brings conviction of sins , when we are in need of it.

Jesus brought even greater requirements than the law in his commands to us, but with grace. For example:

Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

1 Th 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

The eldest perhaps knew God's word better and were convicted first. The word brings with it the need to obey. The conscience is God given to all, both to Jew and Gentile, so that we may know right from wrong.

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

All men will be judged by the word of Jesus, the eternal Living Word. The Holy Spirit in a person will also guide into all truth, the Spirit of truth being our witness to the truth of His Word.

2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

The law brings death for sin. The Holy Spirit makes the word of God alive in our hearts to keep us from sin. Better to be changed in our hearts then to suffer death for sin. The woman was given mercy and direction for her life, from a loving savior.This is the Spirit of the New Covenant, restoration and hope. Contrast the Pharisee spirit to the Spirit of our Lord.

Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Jesus came to remove burdens and to set people free, making them children of God.

Luke 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
Luke 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Luke 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

He spoke to his hometown people who only saw him as a man. Jesus is more than a man, he is God the Son, the Messiah. For this the Pharisee's would seek to kill him.

The truth shall make you Free

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Those who follow Jesus shall have the light. What are we to do with this light? We are to let it shine in the darkness.

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

John 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

Bearing record of ourselves is our testimony. It is up to the hearer to believe. We know what we speak is true, for we have experienced it.

John 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

Jesus knows his record is true, he is the Living Word. He knows that he came from heaven, the spirit is speaking, for no flesh and blood can go to or come from heaven. Jesus the only begotten son came from heaven.

1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Cor 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1 Cor 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

You cannot tell where I came from, or where I will go, because it is of the Spirit. He came from the Father in heaven and he would go to him again, after the cross and the resurrection.

John 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

They judge after the flesh, with the senses. They were already seeking to find something in which to accuse him and He was already judged by them. Now they seek evidence to fit their impressions of him. Many search the Bible in this way, to fit their perceptions, rather than studying the Bible and letting it speak in context. There is more to Gods word than our thoughts about it. I learn new things each day from scriptures that I thought I knew all about.

John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

His judgment is true, for the Father agrees with him. The Father speaks through Jesus, whom he has sent.

John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

The law required two to confirm the truth of a witness or testimony. In our society many are taught that what is true for you is truth. Where is the witness? We have God's word and His Spirit to witness of the truth. Jesus is truth.

Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

If they will not accept Jesus, they will not accept his testimony, nor will they accept His Father. To reject the Son is to reject the Father. They thought they served God, but really served their own thoughts and desires.

John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

No one could lay hands on him, without God's permission.

John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Jesus shall return unto his father in heaven. They are of the earth and have not been born again of the Spirit of God. They were of the world and the devil is king over the world. They would perish with him.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Salvation is through Jesus, the Son.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

They did not want truth, they were wicked, seeking to trip him up so that they could destroy him. Who are you? He told them, they continued; Who are you? They wanted him to be what they thought of him, instead of who he is.

We do not see people in a bad way, we should be as Jesus, seeking the best of what people are. Pointing them in the direction God has for them, instead of controlling or manipulating them.

John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

Jesus speaks the truth from God the Father. He brings truth and judgement; knowing right from wrong, and discernment.

John 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

They could not receive his words, nor were they willing to hear the truth.

1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Jesus speaks of his crucifixion, then will you know who I am and my purpose from the father. We know the gospel truth: Jesus was crucified to pay for our sins and has risen from the grave. This is the truth of God revealed. Whosoever believes in him shall not perish but is made alive in His Spirit and will live forever with God.

John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Jesus always had the indwelling presence of God with Him. This is what the true believer has, the indwelling presence of God through the Holy Spirit.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Disciples learn deeper of Jesus and his word. They follow him all the way to eternal life. Jesus is the savior from our sins. There is no other way for our sins to be forgiven, but by faith in Jesus. Although Jesus came in the flesh, he is Spirit eternal; the Living Word. He came from God, His Father, in heaven and he returned to God. He brought us truth and life. We must see Him as he is and receive his testimony. If we believe in him, we shall not perish, but live with him forever in glorious spiritual bodies. The earth and the world shall pass away, but God's kingdom is everlasting. Those who come to him will be saved from death and hell. He is the way, the truth and the life. The truth received and believed, shall make you free and give you eternal life.

Father of Lies

John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

No truth in their words, they were in bondage in Egypt for 400 years and in bondage due to lack of faith for forty years in the wilderness.

Acts 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

Some of the Jews thought by being descendants of Abraham that they were free and accepted by God. Faith is required, they still had no faith, as they rejected Jesus their Messiah, with all the proofs of his ministry.

Jesus is the promised Messiah who would deliver those who trusted in him from bondage. Two kinds of bondage: physical and mental. Freedom from bondage begins with believing the truth of God's word. Being free of sin is through faith in Jesus, not of blood inheritance, nor of self will, nor of the will of another, but it is of God, born again by faith in Jesus.

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

You are servant to who you obey. We are to obey God above all else. When we disobey God's will, it is sin for us. If we willingly continue to disobey God, we are servants of self or someone else.

Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (teaching of God's word) which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Praise God, Jesus has made us free by faith. Our faith requires obedience. If we sin, we confess to him and he restores us.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Many think they are serving God by doing certain laws or requirements of religion. They are not in Christ Jesus, so their service is only as religious bondage. If by faith we are received by Jesus, the Son of God, you shall be free indeed. You are no longer just servants, but are become sons and daughters, adopted into God's family. This is the Amazing Grace of God through Christ Jesus.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

What spirit are you of? Jesus continues to speak to the Jews.

John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
John 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Abraham obeyed God and was a man of faith. They served the one who would kill God's Son and who is the enemy of our souls.

John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

You were born of fornication, referring to the birth of Jesus out of season as fornication. We know he was God's son, as the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary.

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

The father sent the Son, to provide a legal way for our sins to be forgiven. Death was required for sin. Jesus took our punishment and grace forgave us and made us the children of God. Why would anyone refuse such a free gift?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

You are blessed if you can hear the word's of Jesus.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Jesus had discernment, knowing their hearts

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

You are of your spiritual) father, the devil. You are known by your words and actions. He is a liar and so are you. A child of God speaks the truth. He seeks to kill me and so do you.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:...

John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

They were not seeking truth but to lie and destroy.

John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Is this important? Yes, it is essential to know the truth. Truth comes from studying God's word through His Spirit, the Spirit of truth. If we are of the devil, studying the word is used to accuse and destroy. Know what spirit you are of. Discern the spirits. For if we are convinced of a lie, it could destroy you or others. We are what we believe. Our thoughts control our actions.

John 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
John 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
John 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:
Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Luke 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

All that they had respected were dead, so how could Jesus keep one from death? An earthly view of the purpose of Jesus. He was limited to them, because they did not believe. Jesus is life, in him is the way to life.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Jesus answered this at another time;

Mark 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
Mark 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

They claimed to know God, but they did not really know him, because they did not honor His son.

John 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

Jesus knew His Father and obeyed him. He served God in the Spirit of truth. The Jews rejected and were seeking to kill Jesus, by the spirit of the devil.

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Abraham saw Jesus through faith.

Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

John 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

I am, the name of God. They knew that name.

Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Jesus is God the Son, the Living Word.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

It was not yet His time to die. Jesus was the life giver.

Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Jesus is God come in the flesh. The Jewish leaders could not see this. They trusted in Moses and the law and Abraham. Jesus said that they were not of faith like Abraham. If they knew God they would know his son. They proved that they were not of faith, but were doing the work of the devil. They wanted to kill Jesus. Jesus came to bring life. God is the God of the living. Those who are in sin are dead already, but in Jesus is everlasting life.

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