John 8 - Life Application Study Bible
8:3-6 The Jewish leaders had already disregarded the law by arresting the woman without the man. The law required that both parties to adultery be stoned (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22). The leaders were using the woman as a trap so they could trick Jesus. If Jesus said the woman should not be stoned, they would accuse him of violating Moses’ law. If he urged them to execute her, they would report him to the Romans, who did not permit the Jews to carry out their own executions (John 18:31). We don’t know what Jesus wrote in the dust, but some interpreters have speculated that it could have been a list of sins committed by the accusers, or perhaps the Ten Commandments.
8:3-11 Imagine the complete humiliation of being in this woman’s place. She stood alone in public, surrounded by angry accusers. They laid bare her terrible sin for all to see. The man caught with her was nowhere to be seen. Jesus rescued her from sin, shame, indignity, and death. Jesus knows your worst sins, yet he offers you compassion and mercy. Let his mercy give you courage to face your guilt. His love will overcome your shame. Don’t deny it or despair. Be sorry for your sins, seek the Lord, and receive his forgiveness.
8:7 This is a significant statement about compassion and judging others. Because Jesus upheld the legal penalty for adultery, stoning, he could not be accused of being against the law. But by saying that only a sinless person could throw the first stone, he highlighted the importance of mercy and forgiveness. When others are caught in sin, are you quick to pass judgment? To do so is to act as though you have never sinned. It is God’s role to judge, not ours. Our role is to first show forgiveness and compassion.
8:9 When Jesus said that only someone who had not sinned should throw the first stone, the leaders slipped quietly away, from oldest to youngest. Possibly the older men were more aware of their sins than the younger. Age and experience often temper youthful self-righteousness. But whatever your age, take an honest look at your life. When you recognize your sinful nature, you will be better equipped to extend mercy to others who are struggling with sin in their lives. You can also look for ways to help them rather than hurt them.
8:11 Jesus didn’t condemn the woman accused of adultery, but neither did he ignore or condone her sin. He told her to go and sin no more. Jesus stands ready to forgive any sin in your life, but confession and repentance mean a change of heart. With God’s help we can accept Jesus’ forgiveness and stop our wrongdoing.
8:12 Jesus was speaking in the Treasury—the part of the Temple where the offerings would be given (8:20) and where candles burned to symbolize the pillar of fire that had led the people of Israel through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22). In this context, Jesus called himself the Light of the World. The pillar of fire represented God’s presence, protection, and guidance. Likewise, Jesus brings God’s presence, protection, and guidance. Is he the light of your world?
8:12 What does it mean to follow Jesus? As a soldier follows his captain, we should follow Jesus, our commander. As a slave follows his master, we should follow Jesus, our Lord. As we follow the advice of a trusted counselor, we should follow Jesus’ commands to us in Scripture. As we follow national laws, we should follow the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven.
8:13-14 The Pharisees thought Jesus was either a lunatic or a liar. Jesus provided them with a third alternative: He was telling the truth. Because most of the Pharisees refused to consider the third alternative, they never recognized him as the Messiah and Lord. If you are seeking to know who Jesus is, do not close any door before looking through it honestly. Only with a mind open to him will you know the truth that he is the Messiah and Lord.
8:13-18 The Pharisees argued that Jesus’ claim was legally invalid because he had no other witnesses. Jesus responded that his confirming witness was God himself. Jesus and the Father made two witnesses, the number required by the law (Deuteronomy 19:15).
8:20 The Temple Treasury was located in the Court of Women. Thirteen collection boxes were set up in this area to receive offerings of money. Seven of the boxes were for the Temple tax; the other six were for freewill offerings. On another occasion, a widow placed her money in one of these boxes and Jesus taught a profound lesson from her action (Luke 21:1-4).
8:24 People will die in their sins if they reject Jesus because they are rejecting the only way to be rescued from sin. Sadly, many are so taken up with the values of this world that they are blind to the priceless gift Jesus offers. Where are you looking? Don’t focus on this world’s values and miss what is most valuable—eternal life with God.
8:32 Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free (8:36). He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus, Jesus does not give us freedom to pursue harmful actions or dangerous beliefs but freedom to have new and overflowing life as we follow him (see 10:10). As we seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all that he created us to be.
8:34-35 Sin has a way of enslaving us, controlling us, dominating us, and dictating our actions. Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps you from becoming the person God created you to be. If sin is restraining, mastering, or enslaving you, Jesus can break its power over your life.
8:41 Jesus made a distinction between illegitimate children and true children. The religious leaders were descendants of Abraham (the founder of the Jewish nation) and therefore claimed to be children of God. But their actions showed them to be children of Satan, for they were living under Satan’s guidance. True children of Abraham (faithful followers of God) would not act as they did. Your church membership and family connections will not make you a true child of God. Your real father is the one you imitate and obey.
8:43 The religious leaders were unable to understand because they refused to listen. Satan used their stubbornness, pride, and prejudices to keep them from believing in Jesus.
8:44-45 The attitudes and actions of these leaders clearly identified them as followers of Satan. They may not have been conscious of this, but their hatred of truth, their lies, and their murderous intentions indicated how much control the devil had over them. They were his tools in carrying out his plans; they spoke his language of lies. Satan still uses people to obstruct God’s work (Genesis 4:8; Romans 5:12; 1 John 3:12).
8:46-47 In a number of places Jesus intentionally challenged his listeners to test him. He welcomed those who wanted to question his claims and character as long as they were willing to follow through on what they discovered. Jesus’ challenge to the Jewish leaders here clarifies two reasons why people often miss out on a life-changing encounter with Jesus: (1) They never accept his challenge to challenge or test him, or (2) they test him but are not willing to believe and respond to what they discover. Have you made either of those mistakes?
8:51 When Jesus says that those who obey won’t die, he is talking about spiritual death, not physical death. Even physical death, however, will eventually be overcome. Those who follow Jesus will be raised to live eternally with him.
8:56 God told Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, that through him all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-7; 15:1-21). Abraham had been able to see this through the eyes of faith. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, blessed all people through his death, resurrection, and offer of salvation.
8:58 This is one of the most powerful statements uttered by Jesus. When he said that he existed before Abraham was born, he was undeniably proclaiming his divinity. Not only did Jesus say that he existed before Abraham, but he also applied God’s holy name to himself (“I AM”; Exodus 3:14). This claim demands a response. It cannot be ignored. The Jewish leaders tried to stone Jesus for blasphemy because he claimed equality with God. But Jesus is God. How have you responded to Jesus?
8:59 In accordance with the law given in Leviticus 24:16, the religious leaders were ready to stone Jesus for claiming to be God. They well understood what Jesus was claiming, and because they didn’t believe he was God, they charged him with blasphemy. It is ironic that they were really the blasphemers, cursing and attacking the very God they claimed to serve!
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