Gospel of St. John
The Adulterous Woman – 08:1-11
This chapter is to show Christ as the Light of the World. These verses serve as an illustration of the power of that Light.
“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” The objective of the scribes and Pharisees was to trap Jesus in a no-win situation. If he condoned the sin, they would accuse him of compromising with sin. If he passed sentence on her, he would contradict his own word, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world, through him, might be saved.” They expected him to either show disrespect for the law or to surrender his claim as Savior.
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’ And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” Christ turned the white light of God’s Law upon those who really had no respect for it. They were not worthy of judging others. They were instead forced to examine themselves and when they had judged themselves unworthy they left the temple. Jesus uttered no word against the law. At the same time, he did not condone the woman’s sin. Is it not odd, that none of those convicted by their own conscience cast themselves at the feet of Christ.
“When 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?’ She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’” Condemnation in the Jewish courts required the word of two witnesses and those witnesses must assist in carrying out the sentence. There were no witnesses left. Jesus did not say, “Go and sin no more and I will not condemn thee.” He said, “Neither do I condemn thee.” He was not granting a future grace. The woman was already saved by grace. Jesus then says what he always says to those who have been saved by grace, “Go and sin no more.”
Christ, the Light of the World – 08:12-32
There was no question of guilt in the first part of this chapter. It was simply a matter of harmonizing justice and mercy. Christ as the Light of the World was up to the task. The Pharisees, scribes and the woman are gone and Jesus returns to his task of teaching.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell when I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” Here is the second of Jesus titles, “I am the Light of the world.” This does not mean that the whole world will be saved. It means the whole world has the opportunity to be saved. Every rational creature is morally enlightened. The light of Christ is spiritual and divine and is the source of true moral enlightenment. The Pharisees protest that his claims are not valid as he is his only witness. They judge of appearance in the manner of men. Christ judges of reality (spirit) in the manner of the Father. The Law says, “the witness of two men is true.” Christ says, the Father verifies his witness through the prophets.
“Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? Because he saith, Whether I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. 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.” If they continued in darkness, they would die in their sins. Having rejected the Son of God, it would be impossible for them to go where He would go. The threat of dying in their sins was a serious matter but their pride assured them, they could go anywhere He could go. Jesus explained that he was not of this world. Finally, they ask, “Who art thou?” Jesus re-iterates that he only speaks those things given to Him by he that sent him. We may walk in the light and speak the truth; but Jesus is the Light and is the Truth.
“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. … If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus said, “You will know who I am after I am crucified and resurrected by the Father. I have done my Father’s work and spoke my Father’s words.” To continue in Christ’s word is to be a true disciple. True disciples will know the Truth and the Truth will make them free.
Christ, the Light of the World – 08:33-59
The Jews objected to the implication that they were in bondage and needed to be made free because Abraham was their father.
“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my world hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. … If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father.” He who commits sin is under bondage to the love of self, the love of the world, the love of money and the love of pleasure. A servant cannot remain in a house for ever but the Son can. Being the natural descendants of Abraham is not the same as being his spiritual children. Concerns for the things of the world crowd out the Word of God because it is too spiritual, too holy, and too searching. Spiritual liberty is deliverance from the condemnation of sin, the penalty of the law and the wrath of God. It is deliverance from the power of Satan and the bondage of sin is well as from the authority of men. It is not license to do as we please. Jesus denies that the Jews are children of Abraham because they do what Abraham would not do.
“Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” The Jews claimed to have one Father, even God. They were not like the Samaritans whose blood was contaminated with idolatrous alliances. Christ points out that if God was their father, they would love Him because he does what the Father wills. Because they wish to kill him instead, Jesus points to the devil as their father because they do what the devil wills. He was always a murderer and there is no truth in him. Jesus openly challenged them to find sin in Him. It is obvious they do not have the same father. At this point, the Jews accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan and deluded as well.
“Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. … Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus ignored the comment about being a Samaritan. It was argumentative and designed to goad him into an irrational statement. He denied having a demon and pointed out that he only sought glory for God, not himself. Jesus’ comment about never seeing death is in reference to the second and final death – spiritual death. They knew Abraham experienced physical death but lacked the discernment necessary to acknowledge a spiritual death.
When Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day,” the Jews again thought they had him cornered in a lie. They knew Jesus was less than fifty years old and that Abraham died hundreds of years before. Again, the discernment between a physical death and the finality of spiritual death was beyond comprehension. When Jesus claimed to exist before Abraham, they were astounded. However, the way he said it committed the greatest blasphemy they could imagine. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” “I am” is the name God gave himself when questioned by Moses. They would not acknowledge a physical incarnation of the great “I am.”