John 1:17

1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but ¹  grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ.

John 8:5

8:5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death ²  such women. ³  What then do you say?”

John 8:17

8:17 It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. ⁴ 

John 15:25

15:25 Now this happened ⁵  to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without reason.’ ⁶ 

¹ tn “But” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the implied contrast between the Mosaic law and grace through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 seems to indicate clearly that the Old Covenant (Sinai) was being contrasted with the New. In Jewish sources the Law was regarded as a gift from God (Josephus, Ant. 3.8.10 [3.223]; Pirqe Avot 1.1; Sifre Deut 31:4 §305). Further information can be found in T. F. Glasson, Moses in the Fourth Gospel (SBT).

² sn An allusion to Lev 20:10 and Deut 22:22-24.

³ sn The accusers themselves subtly misrepresented the law. The Mosaic law stated that in the case of adultery, both the man and woman must be put to death (Lev 20:10, Deut 22:22), but they mentioned only such women.

³ sn An allusion to Deut 17:6.

⁴ tn The words “this happened” are not in the Greek text but are supplied to complete an ellipsis.

⁵ sn A quotation from Ps 35:19 and Ps 69:4. As a technical term law (νόμος, nomos) is usually restricted to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the OT), but here it must have a broader reference, since the quotation is from Ps 35:19 or Ps 69:4. The latter is the more likely source for the quoted words, since it is cited elsewhere in John’s Gospel (2:17 and 19:29, in both instances in contexts associated with Jesus’ suffering and death).