John 8 - The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

8:1–11 Some scholars believe that this text (with 7:53) was not originally part of the Gospel of John. They argue that though it is present in a large number of Greek manuscripts, it is lacking in several older manuscripts, including the few Greek manuscripts extant today that are dated earlier than the fifth century. However, other compelling attestation gives every warrant for its inclusion. Jerome (d. 420) wrote that it appeared in many Greek and Latin manuscripts available to him (from the fourth century or earlier), so it does have very ancient attestation. Ambrose (d. 397) and Augustine (d. 430) indicated that the account caused offense among those fearing it would encourage adultery, a possible reason some manuscripts omit it.

8:5 such should be stoned. The law of Moses commanded the death of both the adulterer and the adulteress (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:21–22). This was a setup—allowing mob justice without a concern for due process of the law.

8:6 tempting. Testing. wrote on the ground. Perhaps a prophetic gesture warning of divine judgment (Jer. 17:13) on those who reject the fountain of living waters (7:37–38).

8:7–9 He that is without sin. Christ was not demanding the sinless perfection of any who would enforce judicial punishments on criminals (Rom. 13:1–4) but appealing to the conscience to ensure that punishment would be meted out with justice and integrity. He also challenged their wicked attempt to trap Him instead of receiving Him.

8:11 Neither do I. Jesus refused to meddle in civil and judicial matters (Luke 12:13–15) but in His first coming aimed to save sinners, not to condemn them (3:17). go, and sin no more. Christ, who elsewhere condemned adultery as sin (Matt. 15:19; 19:9,18), called her to repent of this and all her sins.

8:12 I am the light of the world. Another of Jesus’ “I am” sayings. The Feast of Tabernacles (7:2) involved a ceremony of brilliant lights in remembrance of God’s pillar of fire guiding Israel through the wilderness (Ex. 13:21–22; Neh. 9:12). Light is essential to sight and knowledge, and thus to life (1:4–5). Those who do not have Christ may be highly intelligent but are wandering in darkness as to the things of God.

8:13–14 bearest record. Testifies, speaks as a witness. whence . . . whither. From what place and to what place, here speaking of His heavenly glory.

8:15 judge after the flesh. Discern and decide what is true and right based on the mindset of fallen mankind, which is hostile to God (Rom. 8:7).

8:17 written in your law. See Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15.

8:19 Those who do not know Christ as their Savior cannot know God as their Father.

8:20 treasury. The location of several receptacles in the Court of Women into which people could deposit their gifts.

8:21 I go my way. Christ was shortly, after His coming death and resurrection, to return to His heavenly Father. die in your sins. To die in unrepentance and unbelief (v. 24) excludes a person from Christ’s presence in heaven ( ye cannot come)—a sober warning to sinners.

8:23 beneath . . . above. Jesus contrasted two kingdoms, the one earthly and sinful and the other heavenly and holy. Even when they dwell on earth, Christ and His people are not of this world (15:19; 17:14,16) but belong to the heavenly kingdom.

8:28 lifted up the Son of man. In His death on the cross (12:32–33).

8:29 do always . . . please him. Christ always perfectly obeyed the will of His Father and always had His full and perfect approval (v. 46; Matt. 3:17; 17:5).

8:30–32 believed on him. What follows shows that this is not saving faith but a mere intellectual belief without love for Christ (v. 42). continue in my word. True faith abides and perseveres in following Christ’s teachings. disciples indeed. A “disciple” is a person who submits to a master or teacher in order to become like him in faith and practice (Matt. 10:24–25; cf. 13:13–16). know the truth . . . make you free. Real, spiritual knowledge of Christ engages the heart with faith and love so that a person experiences true freedom (17:3; Rom. 6:17).

8:33 Abraham’s seed. The offspring descended from Abraham, but only physically (v. 39) and thus not heirs of the covenant (Gen. 12:7; 17:7; see Rom. 2:28–29; 4:12). bondage. Slavery.

8:34–36 Verily, verily. See note at 1:51. committeth sin . . . servant of sin. A lifestyle of unrepentant sin reveals a heart enslaved to sin. servant abideth not in the house. Perhaps an allusion to the expulsion of Ishmael, the son of Abraham by a slave woman, from the covenant household (Gen. 21:10), implying that the unbelieving Jews were not true children of Abraham (Gal. 4:21–31). Son . . . make you free. Christ alone has been sent by God to rescue people from their slavery to sin and make them children of God.

8:42 Those who are children of God love Jesus Christ, His Son.

8:43-45 Christ set forth the fearful condition of the unsaved. They are unable to trust and obey (cannot hear) His Word (6:44). They are children of the devil, not that Satan made them but because they bear his image and share his evil desires (lusts; Eph. 2:1–3). Like the evil spirit who in essence murdered the entire human race in the beginning of history (Gen. 3:1–6) and soon would murder Christ (13:2,27), unbelievers hate Christ and His people (1 John 3:12–13). Just as Satan is the father of lies, so they reject the truth of God’s Word. Truly, unless the Son sets us free (vv. 32,36), we are in a desperate situation.

8:46 convinceth. Convicts. Jesus was sinless (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26).

8:48 To call Christ a Samaritan was insulting; further, to say that He had a demon was blasphemous.

8:51–52 never see death . . . never taste of death. Christ gives eternal life now, so that when believers die their death will not be an experience of divine judgment (11:25–26). Christ kindly mingled a gospel promise here with His answer to His critics.

8:56 Abraham rejoiced to see my day. The patriarch believed in the promise that Christ would come to save the world by His death (Gen. 22:8,14; cf. Gal. 3:8,16).

8:58 Before Abraham was. Two thousand years before Christ. By saying I am instead of “I was,” Christ taught that He is ancient and eternal and that He is Jehovah, whose name means “I am” (Ex. 3:14).

Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship: Chapter 8

1. Christ came not to condemn sinners but to save them. The worst of sinners in this life may be saved, if he will repent and trust in Christ. Rather than judging sinners in pride and hypocrisy, we should bring them to Jesus to learn of His grace. The Son is able truly and lastingly to set sinners free!
2. Christ did not hold back from saying hard things to sinners who were not yet broken over their sins. He stripped them of their religious presumption based on their background and upbringing. He warned them of their slavery to sin and told them they were so bad they were unable to believe in Him. He even said they were children of Satan, the image-bearers of the great murderer and liar. Why did Jesus say such things to religious people who believed in Him? Why did He not speak this way to the woman caught in adultery? Have you submitted to what God says about you?