John 8 - Holman KJV Study Bible

8:3-4 If the very act was witnessed, the law stipulated that both parties should be punished (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22).

8:5-6 The Jewish rulers expected Jesus to ignore the law and alienate legalists, or forego mercy and alienate His followers.

8:10-11 The woman's repentant heart was apparent in that she did not leave. Since only God can forgive sins, ­Jesus once again claimed deity. He did not take her sin lightly, but commanded her to sin no more.

8:12 ­Jesus as the light of the world (see note at 6:35,48) develops further the affirmation in the prologue that ­Jesus was "the light of men" and that "the light shineth in darkness" (1:4-5). On this basis, ­Jesus exhorted His hearers to put their trust in the light while they had Him with them, so they might become "children of light" (12:35-36). ­Jesus' concluding testimony is that He came into the world as light so that no one who believes in Him should remain in darkness (12:46). Yet, according to the evangelist, the verdict is this: light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (3:19-21).

8:13-14 The Pharisees' challenge and ­Jesus' response continue the acrimony of 5:31-47. Again, Mosaic stipulations were in view (Deut. 17:6; 19:15).

8:14,18 On ­Jesus' testimony about Himself, see note at 5:31-47.

8:15 ­Jesus' statement may echo 1 Sam. 16:7. People rejected ­Jesus because He did not come with regal fanfare, but appearances can be deceiving (Isa. 53:2-3).

8:17 On the testimony of two witnesses, see notes at Deuteronomy 17:6-7; 19:15.

8:20 On the timing of ­Jesus' hour, see note at 2:4.

8:24,28 These statements hint at ­Jesus' deity (see note at 6:35,48).

8:28 On the lifting up of ­Jesus, see note at 3:14.

8:33 The OT extols the blessings of being descendants of Abraham (Ps. 105:6; Isa. 41:8).

8:35 The contrast between Son and servant may allude to Abraham's sons through Sarah and Hagar (Gen. 21:1-21; see Exod. 21:2).

8:35-36 On ­Jesus as the life-giving Son, see note at 3:16-18.

8:37-38 Even in the OT, physical descent from Abraham's seed was insufficient to establish one's lineage (Jer. 9:25-26; cp. Rom. 2:28-29; 9:7; Gal. 4:21-31).

8:39-58 On children of God, see note at 3:3-8.

8:41 Though the OT calls the Israelites God's children (Exod. 4:22; Deut. 14:1-2; 32:6; Isa. 63:16; 64:8; Jer. 31:9; Mal. 2:10), John said only those born of God (through faith) are God's children (1:12-13; 3:3-8).

8:44 The devil is a murderer from the beginning. He incited Cain to kill Abel (1 3:15). He abode not in the truth is a possible reference to Satan's fall (Isa. 14:12). At the fall of Adam and Eve, he blatantly contradicted God's word (Gen. 3:3-4; cp. Gen. 2:17).

8:46 ­Jesus always did what pleases God (v. 29; Isa. 53:9).

8:48,52 On the accusation that ­Jesus had a demon, see note at 7:20.

8:56 ­Jesus' statement refers to Abraham's joyful anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. See the later affirmation in 12:41 that Isaiah saw ­Jesus' glory.

8:58 On ­Jesus' I am statements, see note at 6:35,48.

8:59 Stoning was the prescribed punishment for blasphemy (Lev. 24:16; cp. Deut. 13:6-11; John 10:31-33; 11:8). However, this was never to be enacted by mob violence (Deut. 17:2-7). In the OT, righteous men like Moses (Exod. 17:4), Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:10), and David (1 Sam. 30:6) were nearly stoned. As on previous occasions, ­Jesus evaded arrest (7:30,44; 8:20; see note at 2:4). His withdrawal from the Jews strikes a note of judgment similar to the removal of God's favor from King Saul (1 Sam. 15:23).