John 8
1 But Jesus went [with us disciples] to Olive [Tree] Hill [and we stayed near there that night].
but 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.
Early in the morning he returned to the Temple where many people gathered around 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].
The religious teachers and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught committing adultery and made her stand before everyone.
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 said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
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 in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. What do you say?”
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.
They said this to try and trap Jesus so they could condemn him. But Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.
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.”
They kept on demanding an answer, so he stood up and told them, “Whichever one of you has never sinned may throw the first stone at her.”
8 Then he stooped down and wrote [some more] on the ground.
Then he bent down again and went on writing 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.
When they heard this they began to leave, one by one, starting with the oldest until Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman still standing there.
10 Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one said you must die for your sin?”
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Where are they? Didn't anybody stay to condemn 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!”]
“No one did, sir,” she replied. “I don't condemn you either,” Jesus told her. “Go, and don't sin anymore.”
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.”
Jesus spoke again to the people, telling them, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me you won't walk in darkness for you will have the life-giving light.”
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 replied, “You can't be your own witness! What you say doesn't prove anything!”
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.
“Even if I am my own witness, my testimony is true,” Jesus told them, “for I know where I came from and where I'm going. But you don't know where I came from or where I'm going.
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 in a typically human way, but I don't judge anyone.
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.
Even if I did judge, my judgment would be right because I am not doing this alone. The Father who sent me is with 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.
Your own law states that the testimony of two witnesses is valid.
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 my own witness, and my other witness is my Father who sent 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.”
“Where is your father?” they asked him. “You don't know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me then you would know my Father as well.”
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].
Jesus explained this while he was teaching near the Temple treasury. Yet no one arrested him because his time had 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.”
Jesus told them again, “I'm leaving, and you'll search for me, but you'll die in your sin. You can't come where I'm going.”
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’?”
The Jews wondered out loud, “Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means when he says ‘You can't come where I'm going’?”
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.
Jesus told them, “You are from below; 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.”
That is why I told you that you'll die in your sins. For if you don't trust in me, the ‘I am,’ you'll 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 they asked him, “Who are you?” “Exactly who I told you I was from the beginning,” Jesus replied.
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.”
“There's much I could say about you, and much I could condemn. But the one who sent me tells the truth, and what I'm saying to you here in this world is what I heard from him.”
27 They did not understand that he was talking about his Father [in heaven].
They didn't understand that he was talking to them about the Father. So Jesus explained to them:
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.
“When you have lifted up the Son of man then you'll know that I am the ‘I am,’ and that I do nothing of myself, but only say what the Father taught me.
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.”
The one who sent me is with me; he has not abandoned me, for I always do what pleases him.”
30 As Jesus was saying these things, many people believed that he [was] ([from God/the Messiah]).
Many who heard Jesus say these things put their trust in 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 Jesus said to those Jews who trusted in him, “If you follow my teaching then you really are my disciples.
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].”
You will know the truth, and the truth will set 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]?”
“We're descendants of Abraham! We've never been slaves to anyone,” they answered. “How can you say that we'll be set 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 replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave 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)
A slave doesn't have a permanent place in the family, but the son is part of the family forever. (aiōn g165)
36 So if you allow me to free you, you will truly be free.
If the Son sets you free, then you're truly free.
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 you're Abraham's descendants, yet you're trying to kill me because you refuse to accept my words.
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'm telling you what the Father has revealed to me, while you do what your father told you.”
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.
“Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you really were children of Abraham, you'd do what Abraham did,” Jesus told them.
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 you are trying to kill me now, because I told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham would never have done that.
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're doing what your father does.” “Well we are not illegitimate,” they responded. “God alone is our father!”
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 replied, “If God really was your father, you would love me. I came from God and now I am here. The decision to come wasn't mine, but the one who 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 can't you understand what I'm saying? It's because you refuse to hear my message!
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.
Your father is the Devil, and you love to follow your father's evil desires. He was a murderer from the beginning. He never stood for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies he reveals his true character, for he's a liar and the father of lies.
45 But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me!
So because I tell you the truth, you don't believe me!
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]
Can any one of you prove that I'm guilty of sin? If I'm telling you the truth, why don't you 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.”
Anyone who belongs to God listens to what God says. The reason you don't listen is because you don't belong to 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!”
“Aren't we right to call you a Samaritan who is demon-possessed?” said the Jews.
49 Jesus replied, “A demon does not [control] me! I honor my Father, and you do not honor me!
“No, I don't have a demon,” Jesus replied. “I honor my Father, but you 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].
I'm not here looking to glorify myself. But there is one who does this for me and who judges in my favor.
I tell you the truth, anyone who follows my teaching will never die.” (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)
“Now we know you're demon-possessed,” said the Jews. “Abraham died, and the prophets did too, and you're telling us ‘anyone who follows my teaching will never die’! (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? He died, and the prophets died. Who do you think you are?”
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 glorify myself, my glory means nothing. But it is God himself who glorifies me, the one you claim, ‘He is our 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.
You don't know him, but I know him. If I were to say, ‘I don't know him,’ I'd be a liar, just like you. But I do know him, and I do what he says.
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 was delighted as he looked forward to see my coming, and was so happy when he saw it.”
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]!”
The Jews replied, “You're not even fifty years old, and you've seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “The truth is that I existed before Abraham was born!”
“I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am,” said Jesus.
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.
At this they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus was hidden from them and he left the Temple.
