John 8 - Amplified Study Bible

8:2 He sat down. Teachers in ancient Israel sat when they taught. Jesus assumed the position of an authoritative teacher.

8:4–5 in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Stoning was specified in certain cases of adultery (Dt 22:23–24), though not all. (It is not clear why the authorities intended to punish the woman but not the man.) In the Greek text, the pronoun you is emphatic. The religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus into saying something that was contrary to the law.

8:6 to test Him. If Jesus had said not to stone her, He would have contradicted Jewish law. If He had said to stone her, He would have run counter to Roman law, which did not permit Jews to carry out their own executions (18:31). What Jesus wrote on the ground is a matter of conjecture.

8:13 Your testimony is not valid. This phrase does not mean “false”; it means “not sufficient.” The Pharisees challenged Jesus on legal grounds because no man on trial in a Jewish court was allowed to testify on his own behalf. Their point was that, if Jesus were the only one testifying as to who He claimed to be, it would not be enough to prove His case.

8:14 My testimony is valid. In 5:31 Jesus argued on the basis of legality and offered other witnesses. Sometimes, however, an individual is the only one who knows the facts about himself. Thus, self-disclosure is the only way to truth (7:29; 13:3).

8:15 according to human standards. The religious leaders formed conclusions based on human standards and an imperfect, external, and superficial examination. Jesus did not judge according to human standards or outward appearances.

8:24 I am. This was God’s designation of Himself (Ex 3:14). Jesus was claiming to be God. This assertion was not understood by the religious leaders at this time. Later, Jesus’ claim to be the “I Am” (v. 58) prompted the Jewish leaders to seek His life (v. 59).

8:31 God’s Word Confirms—The Bible establishes the truth in our own hearts in several ways. Go to Theological Notes Index

8:33 have never been enslaved to anyone. The Pharisees’ objection is startling. In their past, the Israelites had been in bondage to the Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. At the time they spoke, Israel was under the power of Rome.

8:39 Abraham is our father. The Pharisees believed that being a descendant of Abraham guaranteed them a place in heaven.

8:41 We are not illegitimate children. From ancient times, this has been interpreted as a sneer, as if to say, “We are not illegitimate children, but You are.” Apparently gossip had followed Jesus for many years, alleging that He had been conceived out of wedlock.

8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham. Abraham and the prophets kept God’s word and died. Jesus was claiming not that He would prevent physical death, but that He could give eternal life. To the Jewish leaders, this was proof that Jesus was demon-possessed.

8:58–59 I Am. Jesus was not just claiming to have lived before Abraham; He was claiming eternal existence. He was claiming to be God Himself (Ex 3:14). This time the Jewish leaders understood that Jesus was claiming to be God, so they took up stones to stone Him for blasphemy (Lev 24:16).