1Christ letteth the woman taken in adultery go uncondemned: 12he declareth himself to be the light of the world, and justifieth his doctrine against the Pharisees: 31he promiseth freedom through knowledge of the truth to those Jews who believed on him: 33confuteth their vain boast of being Abraham's seed, and the children of God: 48answereth their reviling by shewing his authority and dignity; 59and by miracle rescueth himself from their attempts to stone him.
1JESUS went 1unto the mount of Olives.
1 Namely, to tarry their all night and to pray as He was wont, Luke 21:37 and 22:39. Of this mount see Mat. 21:1.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he 2sat down, and taught them.
2 Namely, after the manner which teachers used in the synagogues. See Luke 4:20, and elsewhere. Otherwise He stood sometimes, when He would speak anything very loud, and with special affection, John 7:37.
3And the scribes and Pharisees 3brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
3 Gr. led.
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Nowa Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be 4stoned: but what sayest thou?
a Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22.
4 The law of Moses commands that such shall be punished with death, Lev. 20:10, but that they must be stoned, they seem to have concluded from Deut. 22:23, 24.
6This they said, 5tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote 6on the ground, as though he heard them not.
5 Namely, with such intent, that if He would absolve her, they could accuse Him as a destroyer of the law, and if He condemned her, that they might bring Him in hatred with the people as unmerciful.
6 That is, in the dust of the floor of the temple. What He wrote is not expressed; some think that He wrote the same what He afterwards told them.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, Heb that is 7without sin among you, let him first 8cast a stone at her.
b Deut. 17:7.
7 Gr. sinless, that is, has not fallen into similar or other sins, or thinks that he could not fall.
8Christ seems to refer here to the law, Deut. 17:7.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And 9they 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 10alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
9 Namely, the accusers.
10 Not in respect of the multitude to whom Christ immediately speaks, verse 12, but in respect of the pharisees who accused the woman.
10When 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?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, 11Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sinc no more.
11Christ does not condemn her; neither does He acquit her, seeing it was not His office to pronounce a civil sentence upon evil doers, but as a Teacher to bring sinners to repentance. See the same in Luke 12:14.
c John 5:14.
12¶Then spake Jesus 12again unto 13them, saying, Id am 14the light 15of the world: he that 16followeth me shall not walk in 17darkness, but shall have the light 18of life.
12 Namely, after that His preaching had ceased or was hindered by the foregoing accusation of the chief priests.
13 Namely, to the Jews assembled in the temple.
d Isa. 42:16; John 1:9; 9:5; 12:35, 36.
14 It seems that Christ, being come into the temple very early in the morning, verse 2, as the sun arose, took occasion from this to speak of the true spiritual light; as He also often did elsewhere upon other occasions, John 4:10 and 6:35.
15 That is, Who gives the true light of saving knowledge, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. See Isa. 49:6.
16 That is, he who embraces My doctrine with a true faith and obeys the same.
17 Namely, of errors and sins.
18 That is, which brings men to everlasting life. See John 6:68.
13The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not 19true.
19 That is, firm and sufficient to make us to believe.
14Jesus answered and said unto them, Thoughe I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know 20whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
e John 5:31.
20 That is, for, I am not only a Man, but also the true Son of God, Who has come down from heaven as the Father’s Ambassador, verse 16, and, according to My human nature, shall ascend thither again.
15Ye judge 21after the flesh; I 22judge no man.
21 That is, according to the external appearance, in which you look upon Me as a Human Being only.
22 Namely, as you do; or in this present time. For, otherwise the Father has given all judgment to the Son, John 5:22.
16And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but 23I and the Father that sent me.
23 Namely, I, forasmuch as I am the Son of God, and the Father, We are two Witnesses, and for this cause My testimony is true, as Christ concludes in verses 17, 18.
17Itf is also written in your 24law, that the testimony of two men is 25true.
f Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Mat. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1; Heb. 10:28.
24 Namely, Deut. 17:6 and 19:15.
25 That is, sufficient to be received in judgment.
18I am one that bear witness of myself, and theg Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
g Mat. 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; John 1:33; 5:37; 6:27.
19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Yeh neither know me, nor my Father: ifi ye had 26known me, ye should have known my Father also.
h John 16:3.
i John 14:9.
26 Namely, according to My Divine nature, according to Which I am the express Image of the Father, John 14:9; Heb. 1:3.
20These words spake Jesus 27in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: andj28no man laid hands on him; for his 29hour was not yet come.
27 Or, by the treasury, that is, in that place of the temple where the chest of the treasury stood. See 2 Kings 12:9; Mark 12:41; Luke 21:1.
j John 7:30.
28 Namely, though He spoke so boldly.
29 Namely, ordained by God unto suffering and death.
21Then said Jesus again unto them, Ik30go my way, and ye shall 31seek me, and shall die 32in your sins: whither I go, ye 33cannot come.
k John 7:34; 13:33.
30 Namely, to heaven.
31 That is, when destruction shall come upon you, you shall cry unto God, and consequently to Me, in vain. See Prov. 1:24, etc.
32 That is, for your obstinate unbelief you shall perish temporally and eternally, Mark 16:16; John 3:18.
33 Namely, because you cannot ascend into heaven, as I, having died, shall do after My resurrection. See John 13:33, 36.
22Then said the Jews, Will he kill 34himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
34 Namely, to avoid that He is taken and destroyed by the rulers of the Jews.
23And he said unto them, Yel are 35from beneath; I am 36from above: 37ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
l John 3:31.
35 Gr. out of those places from below.
36 Gr. out of those places from above.
37 That is, you understand in an earthly and worldly sense which I speak in a spiritual and heavenly sense, because you are earthly men.
24I said therefore unto you, thatm ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not 38that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
m verse 21.
38 That is, that I am the true Messiah, for Whom I give out Myself as such. So also hereafter in verse 28.
25Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you 39from the beginning.
39 Gr. in the beginning, that I also spake unto you, that is, that which I have said or spoken from the beginning of My preaching.
26I have many things to say and to judge of you: 40but 41he that sent me isn true; ando I speak 42to the world those things which I have heard of him.
40 Namely, yet forasmuch as you would not believe it, therefore I say only this, that He who sent Me, etc.
41 Namely, the Father.
n John 7:28; Rom. 3:4.
o John 15:15.
42 Or, in the world.
27They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28Then said Jesus unto them, Whenp ye have 43lifted up the Son of man, 44then shall ye know that I am he, and 45that I do nothing of myself; butq as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
p Num. 21:9; 2 Kings 18:4; John 3:14; 12:32.
43 Namely, on the cross, John 3:14 and 12:32.
44 That is, many among you shall acknowledge it by the signs which then shall come to pass, and by My resurrection afterwards, Luke 23:48; Acts 2:41.
45 That is, that I propound no doctrine which I have framed Myself.
q John 3:11; 7:16; 12:49; 14:10, 24.
29Andr he that sent me is with me: the Father hath 46not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
r John 14:10; 16:32.
46 Namely, forasmuch as I and the Father are one, and He has confirmed My mission with many testimonies and signs, Acts 2:22.
30As he spake these words, many believeds on him.
s John 7:31.
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue 47in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
47 That is, persevere in My doctrine.
32And ye shall 48know 49the truth, andt the truth shall make you 50free.
48 That is, be more and more instructed and confirmed therein.
49 Namely, of My doctrine, received and believed by you, John 1:12.
t Rom. 6:18; Gal. 5:1; 1 Peter 2:16.
50 Namely, from death and the servitude of sin.
33¶They answered him, Weu be Abraham’s seed, and were 51never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
u Mat. 3:9.
51 What Christ had spoken of spiritual freedom and bondage, they understand of external or corporal; of which they, notwithstanding, could not boast much, seeing their forefathers had been servants in Egypt, Gen. 15:13 and Exod. 20:2, and they themselves at this time were subject to the Romans.
34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever 52committeth sin isv the servant of sin.
52 That is, who permits sin to reign over him, and makes, as it were, his work of sinning, Rom. 6:17; 2 Peter 2:19; 1 John 3:8.
v Rom. 6:20; 2 Peter 2:19.
35And the servant 53abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
53 That is, like a slave has no right to abide always in his master’s house or to be his heir, forasmuch as his master may thrust him out, or sell him to others, so likewise shall they not abide in the house of God who are slaves to sin, but only the true children of God.
36Ifw the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free 54indeed.
w Rom. 8:2.
54 Or, truly.
37I know that ye are Abraham’s 55seed; but ye seek 56to kill me, because my word 57hath no place in you.
55 Namely, according to the flesh.
56 And thereby you show that you are no true children of Abraham. See verse 39.
57 Or, goeth not through into you, that is, into your heart.
38 Ix speak 58that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen 59with your father.
x John 3:11; 7:16; 12:49; 14:10, 24.
58 See John 5:19, 20.
59 That is, which you have learned by the suggestion of the devil. See verse 44.
39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, Ify ye were 60Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
y Rom. 2:28; 9:7.
60 That is, right and true children of Abraham.
40But now ye seek to kill me, a man thatz hath told you 61the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
z John 17:17.
61 That is, the true doctrine of salvation.
41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born 62of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
62 Namely, as bastards, or as idolaters, such as were the Samaritans.
42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and 63came 64from God; neitheraa came I of myself, but he sent me.
63 Namely, not only sent as Mediator, as appears from what follows, but also begotten of Him. See John 10:30; Heb. 5:5.
64 Gr. out of God; by the eternal generation from the Father, Psalm 2:7; Micah 5:1; John 5:26.
aa John 5:43; 7:29.
43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear 65my word.
65 That is, endure My doctrine and manner of speaking, with which I propound the same unto you, as being repugnant to your evil prejudices and inclinations, John 6:60.
44Yeab are 66of your father the devil, and 67the lusts of your father ye will do. Heac was 68a murderer 69from the beginning, and abode notad70in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh 71of his own: for he is a liar, and the 72father of it.
ab 1 John 3:8.
66 That is, you take after the devil.
67 Which are mainly to slander and to murder men.
ac Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 John 3:8.
68 Because he brought man to sin, and thereby to temporal and eternal death.
69 Namely, of the creation of mankind.
ad Jude verse 6.
70 That is, in the uprightness, in which he was created, 2 Peter 2:4; Jude verse 6.
71 Gr. out of his own, namely, suggestions and motions.
72 That is, inventor and author of those lies.
45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46Which of you convincethae me 73of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
ae convict (as in John 8:9)*
73 That is, of any fault in My doctrine or life.
47Heaf74that is of God 75heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
af John 6:37; 10:26, 27; 1 John 4:6.
74 That is, he who has God for his Father, as the Jews boasted, verse 41.
75 That is, hears and obeys willingly.
48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art 76a Samaritan, andag hast 77a devil?
76 That is, one who is estranged from the true worship of God, and therefore an enemy of the Jews as were the Samaritans, Luke 9:53.
ag John 7:20; 10:20.
77 See John 7:20.
49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; butah I 78honour my Father, and ye do 79dishonour me.
ah John 7:18.
78 Namely, by My doctrine and works.
79 Namely, with your slanders.
50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and 80judgeth.
80 That is, Who will judge between you and Me, and avenge such slanders.
51Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ifai a man keep my saying, he shall 81never see 82death.
ai John 5:24; 11:25.
81 That is, not taste, as is said in the following verse, that is, not subject to death.
82 That is, eternal death.
52Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou 83sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
83 Or, sayest thou.
53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, whichaj is dead? and 84the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
aj Heb. 11:13.
84 Namely, who, notwithstanding, have kept the Word of God.
54Jesus 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:
55Yet ye 85have 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.
85 Namely, aright and as you ought, as verse 19.
56Your father Abraham 86rejoiced toak see 87my day: and he 88saw it, and 89was 90glad.
86 Gr. leaped up for joy.
ak Gen. 17:17; Luke 10:24; Heb. 11:13.
87 Namely, of My coming in the flesh, Luke 10:24; Heb. 11:13.
88 Namely, by faith looking upon God’s promise of this coming.
89 Or, hath been glad.
90 See Gen. 17:17.
57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet 91fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
91 Namely, taken at the most, according as Thy being shows. For, Christ was but about thirty-four years old when He suffered.
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham 92was, 93I am.
92 Or, born. Or, became, namely, born.
93 Namely, was according to My Divine nature, which is from everlasting, Micah 5:1.
59Thenal took they up stones to cast 94at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, 95going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
al Luke 4:29; John 10:31, 39; 11:8.
94 Namely, as at One Whom they held to be a blasphemer, forasmuch as He made Himself equal to God. See Lev. 24:16; John 10:33.
95 Namely, either holding their eyes, or, hiding Himself among the multitude, Luke 4:30 and 24:16.