Commentary
Old Testament : Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
The Song of Songs
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
![](images/minus.gif)
Text -- John 8:9-59 (NET)
![](images/arrow_open.gif)
Strongs On/Off
Context
8:9 Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time , starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
8:10 Jesus stood up straight and said to her , “Woman , where are they? Did no one condemn you ?”
8:11 She replied , “No one , Lord .” And Jesus said , “I do not condemn you either . Go , and from now on do not sin any more.”
Jesus as the Light of the World
8:12 Then Jesus spoke out again , “I am the light of the world . The one who follows me will never walk in darkness , but will have the light of life .”
8:13 So the Pharisees objected , “You testify about yourself ; your testimony is not true !”
8:14 Jesus answered , “Even if I testify about myself , my testimony is true , because I know where I came from and where I am going . But you people do not know where I came from or where I am going .
8:15 You people judge by outward appearances ; I do not judge anyone .
8:16 But if I judge , my evaluation is accurate , because I am not alone when I judge, but I and the Father who sent me do so together.
8:17 It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true .
8:18 I testify about myself and the Father who sent me testifies about me .”
8:19 Then they began asking him , “Who is your father ?” Jesus answered , “You do not know either me or my Father . If you knew me you would know my Father too .”
8:20 (Jesus spoke these words near the offering box while he was teaching in the temple courts . No one seized him because his time had not yet come .)
Where Jesus Came From and Where He is Going
8:21 Then Jesus said to them again , “I am going away , and you will look for me but will die in your sin . Where I am going you cannot come .”
8:22 So the Jewish leaders began to say , “Perhaps he is going to kill himself , because he says , ‘Where I am going you cannot come .’”
8:23 Jesus replied , “You people are from below ; I am from above . You people are from this world ; I am not from this world .
8:24 Thus I told you that you will die in your sins . For unless you believe that I am he , you will die in your sins .”
8:25 So they said to him , “Who are you ?” Jesus replied , “What I have told you from the beginning .
8:26 I have many things to say and to judge about you , but the Father who sent me is truthful , and the things I have heard from him I speak to the world .”
8:27 (They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father .)
8:28 Then Jesus said , “When you lift up the Son of Man , then you will know that I am he , and I do nothing on my own initiative , but I speak just what the Father taught me .
8:29 And the one who sent me is with me . He has not left me alone , because I always do those things that please him .”
8:30 While he was saying these things , many people believed in him .
Abraham’s Children and the Devil’s Children
8:31 Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him , “If you continue to follow my teaching , you are really my disciples
8:32 and you will know the truth , and the truth will set you free .”
8:33 “We are descendants of Abraham ,” they replied , “and have never been anyone’s slaves ! How can you say , ‘You will become free ’?”
8:34 Jesus answered them , “I tell you the solemn truth , everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin .
8:35 The slave does not remain in the family forever , but the son remains forever .
8:36 So if the son sets you free , you will be really free .
8:37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants . But you want to kill me , because my teaching makes no progress among you .
8:38 I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father ; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father !”
8:39 They answered him , “Abraham is our father !” Jesus replied , “If you are Abraham’s children , you would be doing the deeds of Abraham .
8:40 But now you are trying to kill me , a man who has told you the truth I heard from God . Abraham did not do this !
8:41 You people are doing the deeds of your father .” Then they said to Jesus , “We were not born as a result of immorality ! We have only one Father , God himself.”
8:42 Jesus replied , “If God were your Father , you would love me , for I have come from God and am now here. I have not come on my own initiative , but he sent me .
8:43 Why don’t you understand what I am saying ? It is because you cannot cannot accept my teaching .
8:44 You people are from your father the devil , and you want to do what your father desires . He was a murderer from the beginning , and does not uphold the truth , because there is no truth in him . Whenever he lies , he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies .
8:45 But because I am telling you the truth , you do not believe me .
8:46 Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin ? If I am telling you the truth , why don’t you believe me ?
8:47 The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God’s words . You don’t listen and respond , because you don’t belong to God .”
8:48 The Judeans replied , “Aren’t we correct in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon ?”
8:49 Jesus answered , “I am not possessed by a demon , but I honor my Father – and yet you dishonor me .
8:50 I am not trying to get praise for myself . There is one who demands it, and he also judges .
8:51 I tell you the solemn truth , if anyone obeys my teaching , he will never see death .”
8:52 Then the Judeans responded , “Now we know you’re possessed by a demon ! Both Abraham and the prophets died , and yet you say , ‘If anyone obeys my teaching , he will never experience death .’
8:53 You aren’t greater than our father Abraham who died , are you ? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be ?”
8:54 Jesus replied , “If I glorify myself , my glory is worthless . The one who glorifies me is my Father , about whom you people say , ‘He is our God .’
8:55 Yet you do not know him , but I know him . If I were to say that I do not know him , I would be a liar like you . But I do know him , and I obey his teaching .
8:56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day , and he saw it and was glad .”
8:57 Then the Judeans replied , “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham ?”
8:58 Jesus said to them , “I tell you the solemn truth , before Abraham came into existence , I am !”
8:59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him , but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area .
![](images/advanced.gif)
![](images/advanced.gif)
![](images/advanced.gif)
Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
![](images/arrow_open.gif)
Names, People and Places:
Dictionary Themes and Topics:
Jesus, The Christ |
Temple |
Self-righteousness |
Abraham |
REDEEMER; REDEMPTION |
JESUS CHRIST, 4C2 |
HEREDITY |
Blindness |
God |
Righteous |
Unbelief |
Adultery |
Persecution |
Satan |
GOD, 3 |
Truth |
Servant |
Regeneration |
Liberty |
PERSON OF CHRIST, 4-8 |
more
![](images/cmt_minus_head.gif)
expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Joh 8:9; Joh 8:10; Joh 8:10; Joh 8:11; Joh 8:12; Joh 8:12; Joh 8:12; Joh 8:13; Joh 8:13; Joh 8:13; Joh 8:14; Joh 8:14; Joh 8:14; Joh 8:15; Joh 8:15; Joh 8:15; Joh 8:16; Joh 8:16; Joh 8:16; Joh 8:17; Joh 8:18; Joh 8:19; Joh 8:19; Joh 8:20; Joh 8:20; Joh 8:20; Joh 8:20; Joh 8:20; Joh 8:20; Joh 8:21; Joh 8:21; Joh 8:21; Joh 8:21; Joh 8:22; Joh 8:22; Joh 8:23; Joh 8:23; Joh 8:24; Joh 8:24; Joh 8:24; Joh 8:25; Joh 8:26; Joh 8:26; Joh 8:26; Joh 8:26; Joh 8:27; Joh 8:28; Joh 8:28; Joh 8:28; Joh 8:28; Joh 8:29; Joh 8:30; Joh 8:31; Joh 8:31; Joh 8:31; Joh 8:32; Joh 8:32; Joh 8:33; Joh 8:33; Joh 8:33; Joh 8:34; Joh 8:34; Joh 8:34; Joh 8:35; Joh 8:35; Joh 8:36; Joh 8:37; Joh 8:37; Joh 8:37; Joh 8:37; Joh 8:38; Joh 8:38; Joh 8:38; Joh 8:38; Joh 8:39; Joh 8:39; Joh 8:39; Joh 8:39; Joh 8:39; Joh 8:39; Joh 8:40; Joh 8:40; Joh 8:40; Joh 8:41; Joh 8:41; Joh 8:41; Joh 8:41; Joh 8:42; Joh 8:42; Joh 8:42; Joh 8:42; Joh 8:42; Joh 8:43; Joh 8:43; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:44; Joh 8:45; Joh 8:46; Joh 8:46; Joh 8:46; Joh 8:47; Joh 8:47; Joh 8:47; Joh 8:47; Joh 8:48; Joh 8:48; Joh 8:48; Joh 8:48; Joh 8:49; Joh 8:49; Joh 8:50; Joh 8:50; Joh 8:50; Joh 8:50; Joh 8:51; Joh 8:51; Joh 8:51; Joh 8:51; Joh 8:51; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:52; Joh 8:53; Joh 8:54; Joh 8:54; Joh 8:54; Joh 8:55; Joh 8:55; Joh 8:55; Joh 8:55; Joh 8:56; Joh 8:56; Joh 8:57; Joh 8:57; Joh 8:57; Joh 8:57; Joh 8:58; Joh 8:58; Joh 8:58; Joh 8:59; Joh 8:59; Joh 8:59; Joh 8:59
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:10 Woman was a polite form of address (see BDAG 208-9 s.v. γυνή 1), similar to “Madam” or “Ma’am” used...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:13 Compare the charge You testify about yourself; your testimony is not true! to Jesus’ own statement about his testimony in 5:31.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:14 You people do not know where I came from or where I am going. The ignorance of the religious authorities regarding Jesus’ origin works on two le...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:15 What is the meaning of Jesus’ statement “I do not judge anyone”? It is clear that Jesus did judge (even in the next verse). The poin...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:16 The phrase “do so together” is not in the Greek text, but is implied by the context.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:19 If you knew me you would know my Father too. Jesus’ reply is based on his identity with the Father (see also John 1:18; 14:9).
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:22 The imperfect verb has been translated with ingressive force (“began to say”) because the comments that follow were occasioned by Jesus...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:23 The word “people” is supplied in English to clarify the plural Greek pronoun and verb.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:27 They did not understand…about his Father is a parenthetical note by the author. This type of comment, intended for the benefit of the reader, is...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:30 The word “people” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied for clarity and smoothness in the translation.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:32 The statement the truth will set you free is often taken as referring to truth in the philosophical (or absolute) sense, or in the intellectual sense,...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:35 Jesus’ point is that while a slave may be part of a family or household, the slave is not guaranteed a permanent place there, while a son, as a ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:36 Or “Son.” The question is whether “son” is to be understood as a direct reference to Jesus himself, or as an indirect referenc...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:37 Or “finds no place in you.” The basic idea seems to be something (in this case Jesus’ teaching) making headway or progress where res...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:38 A few significant witnesses lack ὑμῶν (Jumwn, “your”) here (Ì66,75 B L W 070 pc), while the majority have the p...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:40 The Greek word order is emphatic: “This Abraham did not do.” The emphasis is indicated in the translation by an exclamation point.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:41 We were not born as a result of immorality! is ironic, because Jesus’ opponents implied that it was not themselves but Jesus who had been born a...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:48 Grk “and have a demon.” It is not clear what is meant by the charge Σαμαρίτης εἶ &...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:51 Those who keep Jesus’ words will not see death because they have already passed from death to life (cf. 5:24). In Johannine theology eternal lif...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:52 Grk “he will never taste of death forever.” The Greek negative here is emphatic.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:53 Questions prefaced with μή (mh) in Greek anticipate a negative answer. This can sometimes be indicated by using a “tag” at the ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:54 The word “people” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied in English to clarify the plural Greek pronoun and verb.
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:56 What is the meaning of Jesus’ statement that the patriarch Abraham “saw” his day and rejoiced? The use of past tenses would seem to ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)
NET Notes: Joh 8:58 I am! is an explicit claim to deity. Although each occurrence of the phrase “I am” in the Fourth Gospel needs to be examined individually ...
![](images/cmt_minus.gif)