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Summary

John 8:1–11 – The Woman Caught in Adultery

What happens:
Jesus returns to the temple at dawn and the teachers of the law and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery. They ask if she should be stoned, testing Jesus. He stoops and writes on the ground, then stands and says, “Let any one of you without sin be the first to throw a stone.” Convicted by their consciences, they leave one by one, and Jesus tells the woman he does not condemn her and to “go now and leave your life of sin.”

What it means:
Jesus offers mercy without minimizing sin. True judgment recognizing our own faults leads to compassion, and forgiveness empowers transformation rather than perpetuating guilt.


John 8:12–20 – Jesus Declares Himself the Light of the World

What happens:
Jesus speaks to the people, saying that he is the light of the world: whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. Pharisees challenge his testimony, and Jesus explains that his witness is valid because the Father, who sent him, also testifies.

What it means:
Jesus brings spiritual illumination that guides and sustains life. His identity is confirmed by divine testimony, establishing his authority over moral and spiritual truth.


John 8:21–30 – Warning and Promise

What happens:
Jesus tells the crowd he will go away and they will seek him but die in their sin if they do not believe he is the one he claims. They ask if he is greater than Abraham. He responds that before Abraham was born, “I am,” provoking them to pick up stones to stone him. Jesus hides and leaves the temple.

What it means:
Belief in Christ’s eternal “I am” is the pivot of life or death. Rejecting his divine identity hardens hearts, while faith in him transcends human ancestry and history.


John 8:31–47 – True Discipleship and Freedom

What happens:
Jesus tells Jews who believe him that they will know the truth and the truth will set them free. They claim they have never been slaves. Jesus explains that everyone who sins is a slave to sin, but the Son sets free. He contrasts children of the devil—who practice hatred and lies—with those who do God’s will as children of God.

What it means:
Freedom in Christ is liberation from the power of sin, not political or familial status. Spiritual birth into God’s family reshapes identity and behavior, producing truth and love rather than deception.


John 8:48–59 – Before Abraham Was, I Am

What happens:
The Jews accuse Jesus of being demon-possessed. Jesus defends his honor by saying those who keep his word will never see death. They ask if he is greater than Abraham who died. Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am,” and they pick up stones to stone him again, but he slips away.

What it means:
Jesus’ claim to preexistence and use of God’s name “I am” underscores his oneness with the Father. His transcendent existence validates his authority to grant eternal life, confronting listeners with a choice to accept or reject divine revelation.


Application

  • Receive Jesus’ mercy and let forgiveness free you from past guilt, then pursue a life of holiness
  • Follow Christ as the light of the world, relying on his truth to guide your decisions and relationships
  • Anchor your faith in Jesus’ eternal identity, trusting his promise of life beyond temporal limits
  • Embrace the freedom Christ offers by renouncing sin’s power and living as a child of God
  • Stand firm in truth and love, reflecting God’s character rather than practicing deception or hatred

Bible

1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7So 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.

8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10When 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?

11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

12Then 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.

13The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

14Jesus 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 whence I come, and whither I go.

15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

16And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

18I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

19Then 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.

20These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

21Then 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.

22Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

24I 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.

25Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

26I 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.

27They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

28Then 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.

29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

30As he spake these words, many believed on him.

31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42Jesus 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.

43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44Ye 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.

45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

52Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

55Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

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