New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
John 8
1
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2
At sunrise he arrived in the temple courtyard again. All the people gathered around him there. He sat down to teach them.
Reference
3
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman. She had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in front of the group.
4
They said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught having sex with a man who was not her husband.
5
In the Law, Moses commanded us to kill such women by throwing stones at them. Now what do you say?"
Reference
6
They were trying to trap Jesus with that question. They wanted to have a reason to bring charges against him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
Reference
7
They kept asking him questions. So he stood up and said to them, "Has any one of you not sinned? Then you be the first to throw a stone at her."
Reference
8
He bent down again and wrote on the ground.
9
Those who heard what he had said began to go away. They left one at a time, the older ones first. Soon only Jesus was left. The woman was still standing there.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 7:22
Romans 2:15
1 John 3:20
Romans 2:22
Psalm 50:21
Psalm 71:13
Psalm 40:14
Job 20:5
Job 20:27
References Jesus
John 8:10
10
Jesus stood up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Hasn't anyone found you guilty?"
11
"No one, sir," she said. "Then I don't find you guilty either," Jesus said. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 3:17
John 8:15
Job 34:31
Romans 2:4
Luke 13:3
Sin
John 5:14
Luke 15:7
Luke 5:32
Proverbs 28:13
Luke 15:10
12
Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, "I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will never walk in darkness. They will have the light that leads to life."
Reference
13
The Pharisees argued with him. "Here you are," they said, "appearing as your own witness. But your witness does not count."
14
Jesus answered, "Even if I give witness about myself, my witness does count. I know where I came from. And I know where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.
Reference
15
You judge by human standards. I don't judge anyone.
Reference
Judgment
John 12:47
John 7:24
Romans 2:1
1 Corinthians 2:15
Amos 5:7
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 16:7
John 3:17
John 18:36
John 8:11
16
"But if I do judge, what I decide is right. This is because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.
Reference
18
I give witness about myself. My other witness is the Father, who sent me."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 8:51
John 10:9
John 8:38
John 8:58
John 10:11
John 8:12
John 14:6
John 10:14
John 10:30
Witness
Hebrews 2:4
19
Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 16:3
1 Corinthians 15:34
John 1:10
Jeremiah 24:7
Galatians 4:9
2 John 1:9
Jeremiah 22:16
References Jesus
Matthew 11:25
John 7:28
1 John 5:20
20
He spoke these words while he was teaching in the temple area. He was near the place where the offerings were put. But no one arrested him. His time had not yet come.
Reference
21
Once more Jesus spoke to them. "I am going away," he said. "You will look for me, and you will die in your sin. You can't come where I am going."
Reference
22
This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'You can't come where I am going'?"
Reference
23
But Jesus said, "You are from below. I am from heaven. You are from this world. I am not from this world.
Reference
24
I told you that you would die in your sins. Do you believe that I am the one I claim to be? If you don't, you will certainly die in your sins."
Reference
Faith
John 3:36
John 3:18
Mark 16:16
John 13:19
Parallel theme
Hebrews 12:25
John 4:26
Hebrews 2:3
Mark 13:6
Sin
Proverbs 8:36
John 8:21
26
"I have a lot to say that will judge you. But the One who sent me can be trusted. And I tell the world what I have heard from him."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 15:15
John 17:8
John 16:12
John 7:16
Truth
John 8:40
John 7:28
2 Corinthians 1:18
27
They did not understand that Jesus was telling them about his Father.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 6:9
28
So Jesus said, "You will lift up the Son of Man. Then you will know that I am the one I claim to be. You will also know that I do nothing on my own. I speak just what the Father has taught me.
Reference
29
The One who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him."
Reference
31
Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. "If you obey my teaching," he said, "you are really my disciples.
Reference
Faith
Colossians 1:23
Acts 14:22
Parallel theme
2 John 1:9
2 Timothy 3:14
1 Timothy 4:16
Hebrews 3:14
Romans 2:7
Romans 11:22
Word
James 1:25
1 Samuel 12:14
32
Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free."
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 8:2
John 8:36
1 Peter 2:16
Romans 6:22
Isaiah 61:1
James 1:25
Galatians 5:1
Truth
John 17:17
John 14:6
Psalm 25:5
33
They answered him, "We are Abraham's children. We have never been slaves of anyone. So how can you say that we will be set free?"
Reference
34
Jesus replied, "What I'm about to tell you is true. Everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Peter 2:19
Titus 3:3
Ephesians 2:2
1 Kings 21:25
Sin
Romans 6:16
Proverbs 5:22
Romans 6:12
Romans 6:6
Romans 7:25
Acts 8:23
37
"I know you are Abraham's children. But you are ready to kill me. You have no room for my word.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 2:14
John 7:1
John 8:59
John 11:53
References Abraham
Romans 9:7
Word
Acts 13:26
John 8:43
John 7:19
38
I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. You do what you have heard from your father. "
Reference
39
"Abraham is our father," they answered. Jesus said, "Are you really Abraham's children? If you are, you will do the things Abraham did.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 5:45
References Abraham
Galatians 3:7
Romans 9:7
John 8:37
Matthew 3:9
Romans 4:12
Romans 4:16
Galatians 3:29
40
But you have decided to kill me. I am a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham didn't do the things you want to do.
Reference
41
You are doing the things your own father does." "We are not children of people who weren't married to each other," they objected. "The only Father we have is God himself."
Reference
42
Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me. I came from God, and now I am here. I have not come on my own. He sent me.
Reference
Love
1 Corinthians 16:22
Parallel theme
John 12:49
John 14:10
John 17:8
John 17:25
Malachi 1:6
John 1:14
1 John 4:14
John 5:43
References God
John 3:17
43
"Why aren't my words clear to you? Because you can't really hear what I say.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 5:43
John 7:17
Acts 7:51
Proverbs 28:5
John 8:27
John 6:60
Isaiah 44:18
Isaiah 6:9
Hosea 14:9
Word
Jeremiah 6:10
44
You belong to your father, the devil. You want to obey your father's wishes. "From the beginning, the devil was a murderer. He has never obeyed the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his natural language. He does this because he is a liar. He is the father of lies.
Reference
Evil
Acts 13:10
1 John 3:12
Revelation 12:9
Matthew 13:38
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 11:3
John 8:38
John 8:41
1 John 3:15
Jude 1:6
Truth
1 John 2:4
46
Can any of you prove I am guilty of sinning? Am I not telling the truth? Then why don't you believe me?
Reference
47
"Everyone who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you don't hear is that you don't belong to God."
Reference
48
The Jews answered Jesus, "Aren't we right when we say you are a Samaritan? Aren't you controlled by a demon?"
Reference
Evil
John 7:20
John 8:52
Matthew 12:24
John 10:20
Parallel theme
Matthew 10:25
Matthew 10:5
Matthew 15:7
John 4:9
49
"I am not controlled by a demon," said Jesus. "I honor my Father. You do not honor me.
Reference
Evil
1 Peter 2:23
50
I am not seeking glory for myself. But there is One who brings glory to me. He is the judge.
Reference
51
What I'm about to tell you is true. Anyone who obeys my word will never die."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 5:24
John 15:20
John 6:50
Luke 2:26
Hebrews 11:5
Psalm 89:48
John 8:55
John 8:12
52
Then the Jews cried out, "Now we know you are controlled by a demon! Abraham died. So did the prophets. But you say that anyone who obeys your word will never die.
Reference
53
Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died. So did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"
Reference
54
Jesus replied, "If I bring glory to myself, my glory means nothing. You claim that my Father is your God. He is the one who brings glory to me.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 25:27
John 8:50
2 Corinthians 10:18
John 7:18
John 17:5
References God
2 Peter 1:17
John 8:41
References Jesus
Acts 3:13
John 17:1
John 7:39
55
You do not know him. But I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him. And I obey his word.
Reference
56
"Your father Abraham was filled with joy at the thought of seeing my day. He saw it and was glad."
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 11:13
Genesis 22:18
Matthew 13:17
Luke 10:24
Hebrews 11:39
References Abraham
John 8:39
John 8:37
57
"You are not even 50 years old," the Jews said to Jesus. "And you have seen Abraham?"
58
"What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus answered. "Before Abraham was born, I am!"
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 3:14
Colossians 1:17
John 17:5
Isaiah 44:6
Revelation 1:8
John 17:24
Revelation 2:8
Isaiah 48:12
Micah 5:2
References Jesus
Hebrews 13:8
Summary of John 8
John 8 continues the intense confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem, presenting a series of teachings about mercy, sin, spiritual freedom, truth, divine identity, and the relationship between Jesus and the Father.
The chapter begins with Jesus teaching in the Temple when scribes and Pharisees bring before Him a woman accused of adultery.
They attempt to trap Jesus by asking whether she should receive the punishment required by the Law, but Jesus responds by challenging the accusers to examine their own lives before condemning another person.
One by one, they leave, and Jesus tells the woman that He does not condemn her while also instructing her to leave her sinful life.
The passage then moves into Jesus' declaration that He is the Light of the World, promising that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
The Pharisees challenge His authority and testimony, but Jesus explains that His testimony is supported by the Father who sent Him.
Again and again, Jesus emphasizes that His true origin is from above, that He has been sent by the Father, and that He will eventually return to the Father.
He warns the people that rejecting Him will leave them in their sins, while continuing in His teaching will lead to genuine discipleship and freedom.
When Jesus says that the truth will set them free, His listeners misunderstand Him in terms of political or social slavery, emphasizing that they are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves.
Jesus clarifies that the slavery He is talking about is slavery to sin, explaining that everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin, while the Son has authority to make people truly free.
The conversation then becomes increasingly confrontational as Jesus challenges the leaders' claim that Abraham is their spiritual father.
Jesus explains that if they were truly Abraham's children, they would act as Abraham did, but their desire to kill Him demonstrates that their spiritual behavior does not resemble Abraham's faith.
When they claim that God is their Father, Jesus responds that if God were truly their Father, they would love Him because He has come from God and was sent by Him.
The discussion reaches its most severe point when Jesus tells them that their father is the devil, because their actions reflect deception, hatred, and murder rather than the truth and love of God.
Despite their hostility, Jesus continues to insist that He speaks the truth He has received from the Father.
He challenges them to identify any sin in Him and asks why they refuse to believe Him if He speaks the truth.
The final section turns toward Abraham and Jesus' existence before Abraham.
Jesus says that Abraham rejoiced to see His day, and the leaders misunderstand this as a claim that Jesus somehow personally knew Abraham despite being much younger.
Jesus then makes one of the most significant declarations in John's Gospel, saying that before Abraham existed, “I am.”
The statement presents Jesus as existing before Abraham and carries profound implications concerning His divine identity.
The religious leaders respond by picking up stones to kill Him, but Jesus leaves the Temple.
John 8 therefore develops several major themes at once: Jesus offers mercy without approving sin, He is the Light who leads people out of spiritual darkness, He reveals the truth that brings genuine freedom, He exposes the bondage created by sin, and He claims an existence and identity that reach beyond Abraham himself.
The chapter ultimately presents a sharp contrast between two ways of living: those who hear and remain in Jesus' word are described as children of God who experience truth and freedom, while those who reject Him remain trapped in sin, deception, and spiritual darkness.
The chapter begins with Jesus teaching in the Temple when scribes and Pharisees bring before Him a woman accused of adultery.
They attempt to trap Jesus by asking whether she should receive the punishment required by the Law, but Jesus responds by challenging the accusers to examine their own lives before condemning another person.
One by one, they leave, and Jesus tells the woman that He does not condemn her while also instructing her to leave her sinful life.
The passage then moves into Jesus' declaration that He is the Light of the World, promising that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
The Pharisees challenge His authority and testimony, but Jesus explains that His testimony is supported by the Father who sent Him.
Again and again, Jesus emphasizes that His true origin is from above, that He has been sent by the Father, and that He will eventually return to the Father.
He warns the people that rejecting Him will leave them in their sins, while continuing in His teaching will lead to genuine discipleship and freedom.
When Jesus says that the truth will set them free, His listeners misunderstand Him in terms of political or social slavery, emphasizing that they are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves.
Jesus clarifies that the slavery He is talking about is slavery to sin, explaining that everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin, while the Son has authority to make people truly free.
The conversation then becomes increasingly confrontational as Jesus challenges the leaders' claim that Abraham is their spiritual father.
Jesus explains that if they were truly Abraham's children, they would act as Abraham did, but their desire to kill Him demonstrates that their spiritual behavior does not resemble Abraham's faith.
When they claim that God is their Father, Jesus responds that if God were truly their Father, they would love Him because He has come from God and was sent by Him.
The discussion reaches its most severe point when Jesus tells them that their father is the devil, because their actions reflect deception, hatred, and murder rather than the truth and love of God.
Despite their hostility, Jesus continues to insist that He speaks the truth He has received from the Father.
He challenges them to identify any sin in Him and asks why they refuse to believe Him if He speaks the truth.
The final section turns toward Abraham and Jesus' existence before Abraham.
Jesus says that Abraham rejoiced to see His day, and the leaders misunderstand this as a claim that Jesus somehow personally knew Abraham despite being much younger.
Jesus then makes one of the most significant declarations in John's Gospel, saying that before Abraham existed, “I am.”
The statement presents Jesus as existing before Abraham and carries profound implications concerning His divine identity.
The religious leaders respond by picking up stones to kill Him, but Jesus leaves the Temple.
John 8 therefore develops several major themes at once: Jesus offers mercy without approving sin, He is the Light who leads people out of spiritual darkness, He reveals the truth that brings genuine freedom, He exposes the bondage created by sin, and He claims an existence and identity that reach beyond Abraham himself.
The chapter ultimately presents a sharp contrast between two ways of living: those who hear and remain in Jesus' word are described as children of God who experience truth and freedom, while those who reject Him remain trapped in sin, deception, and spiritual darkness.