Imagine being caught in the act of wrongdoing and suddenly finding yourself at the mercy of a crowd. This is precisely the predicament a woman faces in John 8, and how Jesus responds will leave you contemplating grace and truth.
The Reading: John 8
World English Bible1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
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2 Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down, and taught them.
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3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the middle,
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4 they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act.
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5 Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do you say about her?”
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6 They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger.
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7 But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.”
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8 Again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.
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9 They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle.
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10 Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”
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11 She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”
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12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
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13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
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14 Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going.
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15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.
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16 Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.
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17 It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.
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18 I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
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19 They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
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20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
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21 Jesus said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”
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22 The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”
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23 He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
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24 I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”
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25 They said therefore to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.
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26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”
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27 They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father.
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28 Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.
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29 He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
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30 As he spoke these things, many believed in him.
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31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
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32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
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33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?”
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34 Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.
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35 A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever.
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36 If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
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37 I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.
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38 I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”
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39 They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
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40 But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this.
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41 You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”
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42 Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me.
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43 Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.
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44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
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45 But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me.
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46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
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47 He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”
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48 Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”
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49 Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
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50 But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.
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51 Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”
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52 Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’
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53 Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”
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54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.
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55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word.
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56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”
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57 The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
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58 Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”
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59 Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
The Woman Caught in Adultery
The chapter opens with Jesus at the Mount of Olives, returning to the temple early in the morning where people eagerly gather to listen to him. Suddenly, a group of scribes and Pharisees drags in a woman caught in adultery. They remind Jesus that the law commands her to be stoned. But rather than condemning her, Jesus bends down and writes in the dirt. When they press him for an answer, he challenges them: 'Let the one without sin throw the first stone.'
One by one, the accusers leave, and Jesus, left alone with the woman, asks if anyone has condemned her. When she replies no, he graciously tells her, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.'
The Declaration of Truth
As the chapter continues, Jesus proclaims, 'I am the light of the world.' This statement sparks a heated debate with the Pharisees about his authority and identity. Jesus asserts that his testimony is valid because he knows his origin and purpose, unlike his challengers. Despite their skepticism, many begin to believe in him as he explains that their spiritual bondage to sin can only be broken through him.
Jesus emphasizes that knowing the truth will set them free, drawing a stark distinction between being a slave to sin and a child of God. He engages in a pointed discussion about their claim to Abraham as their father, challenging them to reflect on their actions and relationship with God.
The Ultimate Claim
Finally, Jesus makes an astonishing claim, saying, 'Before Abraham was, I AM.' This assertion of his eternal existence incites the crowd to attempt to stone him, but he slips away, once again demonstrating his authority and purpose.
Why It Matters
The Power of Grace
John 8 teaches us about the depth of grace. The way Jesus treats the woman caught in adultery is a powerful reminder that everyone has the potential for redemption, regardless of their past. It encourages us to practice compassion rather than judgment toward those around us.
The Importance of Truth
Jesus' declaration that the truth will set us free is profound. In a world filled with misinformation and conflicting narratives, seeking and embracing truth is vital for personal and communal freedom. It challenges us to be discerning and courageous in our pursuit of what is right.
Finding a Community
As we navigate our own struggles with sin and judgment, consider connecting with others on a similar journey. Sancta can help you find a church near you, where you can explore these themes of grace and truth in a supportive environment and grow spiritually.
Coming Up Next: John 9
In the next part of our journey through John, we'll witness a miraculous healing. Get ready to see how Jesus brings light to darkness in John 9, as he opens the eyes of a man born blind.