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 again went to the temple courts. All the people came, 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].
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought him a woman who had been caught in adultery. Making her stand before them all,
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, testing him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing 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]?”
In the law, Moses commanded us that such women should be stoned; what then do yoʋ 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 test him, so that they might have something to accuse him of.) But Jesus stooped down and wrote with his finger on the ground, taking no notice.
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.”
When they continued asking him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him among you who is without sin throw the first 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.
When they heard this, they were convicted by their own consciences and began to go away one by one, starting with the older men. So Jesus was left alone, with the woman there before him.
10 Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one said you must die for your sin?”
Then Jesus stood up and saw no one but the woman. So he said to her, “Where are yoʋr accusers? Has no one condemned yoʋ?”
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 one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I pass judgment on yoʋ; 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 Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will certainly not walk in darkness, but will 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.”
So the Pharisees said to him, “Yoʋ are testifying about yoʋrself, so yoʋr testimony is not valid.”
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 them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am 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 according to the flesh, but I judge no one.
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.
Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who 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.
In your own law it is written that the testimony of two men 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 testify about myself, and the Father who sent me also testifies about 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 they said to him, “Where is yoʋr father?” Jesus answered, “You neither know me nor my Father. If you knew me, 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 spoke these words in the treasury as he taught in the temple courts. But no one arrested him, because his hour 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.”
Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, 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’?”
So the Jews said, “Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, ‘Where I am going, 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.
He said to 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.”
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins, for if you do not believe that I am he, you will 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!
They said to him, “Who are yoʋ?” Jesus said to them, “Exactly what I have been saying 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 about you and to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I tell the world what I have heard from him.”
27 They did not understand that he was talking about his Father [in heaven].
(They did not know that he was speaking to them about 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.
So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own authority, but I speak these things just as my 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.”
He who sent me is with me. The Father has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
30 As Jesus was saying these things, many people believed that he [was] ([from God/the Messiah]).
As he was saying these things, many believed 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 the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly 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].”
Then 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]?”
They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham, and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How then can yoʋ say, ‘You will 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 answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin 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)
The slave does not abide in the house forever; the son abides forever. (aiōn g165)
36 So if you allow me to free you, you will truly be free.
So if the son sets you free, you will 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 descendants, but you are seeking to kill me because your hearts have no room for my word.
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 of what I have seen with my Father; so you also are doing what 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 him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were children of Abraham, you would be doing 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 are seeking to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do such a thing.
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 are doing the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father—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 have come here from God. I have not come of my own accord, 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 what I am saying? It is because you cannot bear to accept 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 belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks lies, he speaks from his own character, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
45 But because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me!
But because I speak the truth, you do not 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]
Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I am telling 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.”
Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is because you do not 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!”
The Jews answered him, “Do we not rightly say that yoʋ are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
49 Jesus replied, “A demon does not [control] me! I honor my Father, and you do not honor me!
Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and 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 do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will certainly 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)
The Jews said to him, “Now we know that yoʋ have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet yoʋ say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will certainly never taste 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 yoʋ greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do yoʋ make yoʋrself out to be?”
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 is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘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 do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep his word.
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 glad that he would see my day. He saw it and rejoiced.”
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 the Jews said to him, “Yoʋ are not yet fifty years old, and yoʋ have 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.
So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple grounds. And passing through the crowd, he walked away.
