< John 8 >

1 But Jesus went to the mount of Olives.
But Jesus went [with us disciples] to Olive [Tree] Hill [and we stayed near there that night].
2 And at early morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. And having sat down, he taught them.
Early the next morning, we returned to the Temple [courtyard]. Many people gathered around Jesus, so he sat down to teach them.
3 And the scholars and the Pharisees bring to him a woman taken in adultery. And having stood her in the midst,
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].
4 tempting, they say to him, Teacher, we found this woman committing adultery, in the act.
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.
5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us such women are to be stoned. What therefore do thou say about her?
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]?”
6 But they said this, trying him, so that they might have an accusation against him. But Jesus having stooped down, wrote on the ground with his finger, not pretending.
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.
7 And when they continued asking him, after standing erect, he said to them, Let the innocent man of you first cast the stone at her.
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.”
8 And again having stooped down, he wrote on the ground.
Then he stooped down and wrote [some more] on the ground.
9 And they, having heard and being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, having begun from the elder until the last. And Jesus was left behind alone, and the woman being in the midst.
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.
10 And Jesus, after standing erect, and having seen no man but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are those accusers of thee? Did no man condemn thee?
Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one said you must die for your sin?”
11 And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and henceforth sin no more.
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!”]
12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows me would, no, not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.
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.”
13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, Thou testify about thyself. Thy testimony is not valid.
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.”
14 Jesus answered and said to them, Even if I might testify about myself, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I go, but ye do not know where I come from and where I go.
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.
15 Ye judge according to the flesh. I judge no man.
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].
16 But even if I judge, my judgment is valid, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me.
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.
17 And also it is written in your law that the testimony of two men is valid.
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.
18 I am he who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.
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].”
19 They said therefore to him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye know neither me, nor my Father. If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also.
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.”
20 Jesus spoke these sayings in the treasury as he taught in the temple, and no man seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
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].
21 Jesus therefore again said to them, I go, and ye will seek me, and ye will die in your sin. Where I go, ye cannot come.
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.”
22 The Jews therefore said, Will he kill himself, because he says, Where I go, ye cannot come?
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’?”
23 And he said to them, Ye are from below, I am from above. Ye are of this world, I am not of this world.
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.
24 I said therefore to you that ye will die in your sins. For unless ye believe that I am he, ye will die in your sins.
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.”
25 They said therefore to him, Who are thou? And Jesus said to them, The beginning, something that I am even telling you.
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!
26 I have many things to say and to judge about you. But he who sent me is true, and I speak to the world these things that I heard from him.
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.”
27 They did not understand that he spoke the Father to them.
They did not understand that he was talking about his Father [in heaven].
28 Jesus therefore said to them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then ye will know that I am he, and I do nothing from myself, but I speak these things as my Father taught me.
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.
29 And he who sent me is with me. The Father has not left me alone, because I always do things pleasing to him.
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.”
30 As he spoke these things of him, many believed in him.
As Jesus was saying these things, many people believed that he [was] ([from God/the Messiah]).
31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who believed him, If ye remain in my word, ye are truly my disciples,
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.
32 and ye will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
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].”
33 They answered to him, We are Abraham's seed, and have been in bondage to no man, ever. How can thou say, Ye will become free?
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]?”
34 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, that every man who does the sin is a bondman of the sin.
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].
35 And the bondman does not remain in the house into the age. The Son remains into the age. (aiōn g165)
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)
36 If therefore the Son should make you free, ye will truly be free.
So if you allow me to free you, you will truly be free.
37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed, yet ye seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.
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.
38 I speak what I have seen from my Father, and ye therefore do what ye have seen from your father.
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.”
39 They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus says to them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
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.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
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.
41 Ye do the works of your father. They said therefore to him, We were not begotten from fornication. We have one Father, God.
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!”
42 Therefore Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, ye would love me, for I came forth and have come from God. For, neither have I come for myself, but he sent me.
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.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? Because ye cannot hear my word.
(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.
44 Ye are from the father, the devil, and ye want to do the desires of your father. He was a man-killer from the beginning, and he has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own, because he is a liar, and the father of it.
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.
45 And I, because I speak the truth, ye do not believe me.
But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me!
46 Which of you convicts me about sin? And if I speak truth, why do ye not believe me?
[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]
47 He who is of God hears the sayings of God. Because of this ye do not hear, because ye are not of God.
Those who belong to God habitually obey God’s message. You do not belong to God, so you do not obey his message.”
48 Therefore the Jews answered and said to him, Do we not say well that thou are a Samaritan, and have a demon?
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!”
49 Jesus answered, I have no demon, but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me.
Jesus replied, “A demon does not [control] me! I honor my Father, and you do not honor me!
50 But I seek not my own glory. He is who seeks and judges.
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].
51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if any man keeps my word, he will, no, not see death, into the age. (aiōn g165)
But the truth is that anyone who obeys what I say will never die!” (aiōn g165)
52 The Jews therefore said to him, Now we know that thou have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets, and thou say, If any man keeps my word, he will, no, not taste of death, into the age. (aiōn g165)
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)
53 Are thou greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do thou make thyself?
(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]?”
54 Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. My Father is he who glorifies me, of whom ye say, He is our God.
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.
55 And ye do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.
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.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he could see my day, and he saw it, and was glad.
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.”
57 The Jews therefore said to him, Thou have not yet fifty years, and thou have seen Abraham?
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]!”
58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I am.
Jesus said to them, “The truth is that I existed before Abraham was born!”
59 Therefore they took up stones so that they might throw at him, but Jesus was hid, and went out of the temple, having passed through the midst of them, and thus passed on.
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.

< John 8 >