1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
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.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
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.
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.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
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.
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?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
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.
13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
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.
15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
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.
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.
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.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
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.
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.
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.
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.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
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.
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.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
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?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
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.
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.
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.
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.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
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.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
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.
53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
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:
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.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
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.
The eighth chapter of the Gospel of John in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a rich, profound narrative that presents several overarching themes: the forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ, the contrast between spiritual blindness and spiritual enlightenment, the importance of truth and the identity of Jesus as the Light of the World. This chapter is also noteworthy for its depiction of the contentious relationship between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders, which leads to His bold proclamation of His divine nature.
The chapter begins with a poignant story in which Jesus exemplifies forgiveness and grace. A woman caught in adultery is brought before Him by the scribes and Pharisees, who are eager to trap Jesus into contradicting the Law of Moses. They ask Him whether the woman should be stoned, as stipulated by the law. Jesus, however, responds with the now-famous line, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). One by one, the accusers leave until only Jesus and the woman remain. He forgives her and tells her to sin no more, demonstrating His divine authority to forgive sins and His grace towards sinners.
In the subsequent verses, Jesus declares Himself as the Light of the World. He says, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). This statement is significant for several reasons. One, it is the second of the seven "I am" statements in the Gospel of John, through which Jesus reveals His divine identity. Two, it positions Jesus as the source of spiritual enlightenment and salvation, contrasting with the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees who reject Him.
Another key theme in this chapter is the importance of truth. Jesus states, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). He is referring to the spiritual freedom that comes from recognizing Him as the Son of God and accepting His teachings. However, the Pharisees interpret this statement in the context of physical slavery, further demonstrating their spiritual blindness. Jesus also identifies Himself as the embodiment of truth when He says, "I am the one I claim to be" (John 8:24). His claim is met with disbelief and hostility by the Pharisees, leading to further confrontations.
The climax of the chapter comes when Jesus, in response to the Pharisees' disbelief, makes a bold proclamation of His eternal existence. He says, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). This statement is a clear reference to Exodus 3:14, where God reveals Himself to Moses as "I AM". By using the same phrase, Jesus is asserting His divinity and pre-existence before Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people. This claim is met with outrage by the Pharisees, who attempt to stone Him, but Jesus eludes them.
In conclusion, John 8 is a profound chapter that reveals the multifaceted identity of Jesus Christ as the forgiver of sins, the light of the world, the bearer of truth, and the self-existent one. The chapter also underscores the spiritual blindness of those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus' divinity and the salvation He offers. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of Jesus' teachings, His grace towards sinners, and His role as the ultimate source of spiritual enlightenment and freedom.
The narratives and teachings within this chapter have had a profound impact on Christian theology and continue to inspire believers today. They remind us of the grace and mercy of Christ, His divine nature, and the importance of spiritual enlightenment. As we reflect on these teachings, we are called to recognize Jesus as the light that dispels our spiritual darkness and the truth that sets us free.
The chapter's narratives and teachings continue to resonate with believers, serving as a reminder of the divine identity of Jesus and the transformative power of His teachings. They challenge us to examine our own spiritual blindness, to seek the truth that Jesus offers, and to embrace the light and life He provides. In doing so, we can experience the spiritual freedom and enlightenment that come from knowing and following Jesus, the Light of the World.
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