John 8
1 But Jesus went [with us disciples] to Olive [Tree] Hill [and we stayed near there that night].
Jesus went to the mount of Olives.
2 Early the next morning, we returned to the Temple [courtyard]. Many people gathered around Jesus, so he sat down to teach them.
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 Then men who taught the [Jewish] laws and some of [SYN] the Pharisee [religious group] brought a woman to him. She was seized {[They] had [arranged to] seize her} while she was having sex with a man who was not her husband. They made her stand up in front of the group [that was listening to Jesus].
And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the middle,
4 Then they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was seized {[we] seized this woman} while she was having sex with a man who is not her husband.
They say to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Moses commanded us in the laws that [he gave us] that we should throw stones at such women [and kill them]. So what do you say [we should do]?”
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you?
6 They asked this question as a trap so that they could accuse him. [If he said that they should not kill her, they would shame him for disobeying the law of Moses. If he said that they should kill her, they could accuse him to the Roman governor]. But Jesus bent down and wrote something on the ground with his finger.
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 While they continued to question him, he stood up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has never sinned can be the first one to start throwing stones at her.”
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 Then he stooped down and wrote [some more] on the ground.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 After they heard what he said, those [who were questioning him] went away, one by one, the older ones first [and then the younger ones, knowing they were all sinners]. Finally only Jesus was there, along with the woman.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the middle.
10 Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one said you must die for your sin?”
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are those your accusers? has no man condemned you?
11 She said, “No, sir, no one.” Then Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go [home] now, and do not continue your sinful [life] any longer!”]
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.
12 Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am [like] a light [MET] for [all the people in] [MTY] the world. [Just like a light reveals what has been in the darkness] [MET], [I reveal God’s truth to them]. Those who walk in the darkness [are unaware of what is around them]. But those who become my disciples will always be aware [of God’s truth] [MET]. They will have my light [which shows them how to have eternal] life.”
Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are just telling about yourself! [Since there is no one else to verify these things that you say about yourself], [we] do not [need to accept that] what you say is true.”
The Pharisees therefore said to him, You bore record of yourself; your record is not true.
14 Jesus replied, “Even if I were the [only one to] say these things about myself, what I say is true, because I know that I came from [heaven], and I know that I am going [back to heaven]. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.
Jesus answered and said to them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know from where I came, and where I go; but you cannot tell from where I come, and where I go.
15 You judge people according to human standards. [The reason] that I am [here is] not (to condemn people/to say that I will punish people) [for their sins].
You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16 But if I did judge [people], what I decided would be correct, because I am not the [only] one [who will decide those things]. I and the one who sent me will both decide.
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 written {[Moses] wrote} in your law that if [at least] two people testify that [some event has happened], [people should consider] that what they say is true.
It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am telling you about myself, and the other one who is telling you about me is [my] Father who sent me. [So you should believe that what we declare is true].”
I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.
19 Then they asked him, “[If you have a] father whom [we can question about you], where is he?” Jesus replied, “You do not know [who] I [really am]. If you knew who I [really am], you would know who my Father is also.”
Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.
20 He said these things when he was in the Temple [courtyard], near the place where the people put their offerings. [This was also very close to the place where the Jewish council met]. But no one seized him to arrest him, because it was not yet time [MTY] [for him to suffer and die].
These words spoke 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 Jesus also said to them, “I [will soon be] going away. Then [at the end of your life] you will seek me, but you will die [without God forgiving] your sins. Where I will go, you will not be able to come.”
Then said Jesus again to them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come.
22 So the Jewish [leaders] said among themselves, “Is he going to kill himself? Is that the reason that he said, ‘Where I go, you will not be able to come’?”
Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he says, Where I go, you cannot come.
23 But Jesus continued by saying to them, “You were born here in this world, but I came from heaven. You belong to those who are opposed to God [MTY]. I do not belong to them.
And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I told you that you will die [without God forgiving] your sins. If you do not believe that I am [who I say that I am], you will die [without God forgiving] your sins.”
I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.
25 So they said to him, “You! Who do you think you are?” Jesus said to them, “Ever since I began [teaching], I have been telling you who I am!
Then said they to him, Who are you? And Jesus says to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning.
26 I could judge you and say that [you are guilty of] many things. But instead, [I will say only] what the one who sent me tells me to say. [What he says] is true, and I tell the people in the world [MTY] what I have heard from him.”
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 did not understand that he was talking about his Father [in heaven].
They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father.
28 So Jesus said, “I am the one who came down from heaven, but when you lift me up [on a cross to kill me], you will know who I am. You will also know that I do not do anything with my own [authority]. Instead, I say just what [my] Father has taught me.
Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.
29 He is the one who sent me, and he helps me. Because I always do the things that please him, he has never abandoned me.”
And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As Jesus was saying these things, many people believed that he [was] ([from God/the Messiah]).
As he spoke these words, many believed on him.
31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who now said they believed in him, “If you continue to [live in accordance with] my message, you will truly be my disciples.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
32 Then you will know [God’s] truth, and as a result of [your believing his] truth, he [PRS] will free you [from being controlled by the one who has made you his slaves].”
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham. We have never been anyone’s slaves. So why do you say [we will] be freed [from being someone’s slaves]?”
They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?
34 Jesus replied, “Listen carefully to what I am going to tell you. All those who continue to sin are [forced to obey] their sinful desires [MET], [just like] a slave [is forced to obey his master].
Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
35 A slave is not a permanent member of a family. But a son is a member of a family forever. [Similarly, you say you are members of God’s family because you are descendants of Abraham, but really, because you are like slaves of your sinful desires, you are no longer permanent members of God’s family]. (aiōn g165)
And the servant stays not in the house for ever: but the Son stays ever. (aiōn g165)
36 So if you allow me to free you, you will truly be free.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. But you are trying to kill me because [you are not] allowing [PRS] my message to continue [to change] your inner being.
I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with [my] Father. But you do the things that you have heard from your father.”
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.
39 They replied to him, “Abraham is our ancestor.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s descendants, [your character would be like Abraham’s character, and] you would do [good] things like Abraham did.
They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus says to them, If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40 I have been telling you the truth that I heard from God, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham did not do things like that.
But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 No! You are doing the things that your [real] father does.” They said to him, “[We do not know about you, but] we are not illegitimate children. And [spiritually], we have only one Father. That is God, and you do not know who your father is!”
You 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 to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, because I came from God, and now I have come here [to this world]. My coming was not (because I [appointed] myself/with my own [authority]). He sent me.
Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 (And I will tell you why you do not understand what I say./Do you know why you do not understand what I say?) [RHQ] It is because you do not want to accept my message.
Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.
44 You belong to your father, (the devil/Satan), and you desire to do what he wants. He has [caused people to become] murderers from the time when [people] first [sinned]. He has abandoned [God’s] truth because he is a liar by his nature. Whenever he lies, he is speaking according to his [nature], because he is a liar and is the one who originates [MET] all lies.
You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me!
And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.
46 [Since I have never sinned], (none of you can show that I have sinned./can anyone among you show that I have sinned?) [RHQ] So, since I tell you the truth, (there is no good reason for your not believing me!/why is it that you do not believe me?) [RHQ]
Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?
47 Those who belong to God habitually obey God’s message. You do not belong to God, so you do not obey his message.”
He that is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.
48 The Jewish [leaders] [SYN] replied to him, “(We are certainly right by saying that you [believe what is false as] the Samaritans [do]!/Are we not right by saying that you [believe what is false as] the Samaritans [do]?) [RHQ] And that (a demon/an evil spirit) [controls] you!”
Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?
49 Jesus replied, “A demon does not [control] me! I honor my Father, and you do not honor me!
Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me.
50 I am not trying to honor myself. There is someone else who desires [to honor me], and he is the one who will judge [whether it is I who am telling the truth or whether it is you who are telling the truth].
And I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeks and judges.
Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. (aiōn g165)
52 Then the Jewish [leaders] [SYN], [thinking that he was talking about ordinary death and not about spiritual death], said to him, “Now we are sure that a demon [controls] you! Abraham and the prophets died [long ago]! But you say that anyone who obeys what you teach will never die! (aiōn g165)
Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. (aiōn g165)
53 (You are certainly not greater than our ancestor Abraham!/Do you think you are greater than our ancestor Abraham?) [RHQ] He died, and all the prophets died, so who do you think you are [by saying something like that]?”
Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?
54 Jesus replied, “If I were honoring myself, that would be worthless. My Father is the one who you say is your God. He is the one who honors me.
Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God:
55 Although you do not know him, I know him [and have a close relationship with him]. If I said that I did not know him, I would be a liar like you are. But I know him, and I obey what he says.
Yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like to you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56 Your ancestor Abraham was happy when he thought about what I would [do during] my life [MTY]. [It was as though] he saw that, and was happy.”
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then the Jewish [leaders] [SYN] said to him, “You are not 50 years old yet! So (you certainly did not see him!/how could you have seen him?) [RHQ] [Because he died long ago]!”
Then said the Jews to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said to them, “The truth is that I existed before Abraham was born!”
Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 So, [because they were very angry about Jesus thus saying that he] ([had eternally existed/was equal with God]), they picked up stones to throw at him [to kill him]. But [Jesus] caused them not to be able to see him, and he left the Temple courtyard.
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the middle of them, and so passed by.
