John Chapter 8:1-59 King James Bible KJV
The Woman Caught in Adultery, Jesus as the Light of the World, The Truth Will Set You Free, Jesus’ Eternal Existence and “I AM” Statement
John Chapter 8:1-59 King James Bible KJV. John Chapter 8 is a powerful chapter in the Gospel of John, rich in theological meaning and filled with important encounters between Jesus and the religious leaders, as well as the crowds. It contains significant teaching on sin, forgiveness, spiritual truth, and Jesus’ divine identity. Jesus reveals:
- His role as the light of the world, offering truth and salvation to those who believe.
- His power to forgive sin and call people to repentance, as seen in the story of the woman caught in adultery.
- The reality of spiritual slavery to sin and the necessity of faith in Him for true freedom.
- His divine identity, culminating in the “I am” statement, which connects Him directly to the God of Israel.
This chapter also highlights the growing tension and opposition to Jesus as His message confronts the religious authorities and challenges the people’s understanding of their relationship with God.
John Chapter 8:1-59 King James Bible KJV
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The Woman Caught in Adultery – verses 1–11
The religious leaders bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, hoping to trap Him into either contradicting the Law of Moses (which called for stoning) or being seen as too merciful. Jesus responds by writing in the dust (though the text does not specify what He writes) and then says, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” Convicted by their own consciences, the accusers leave one by one. Jesus then forgives the woman, telling her to “go and sin no more.”
Key Themes:
- Transformation: Jesus’ command to “sin no more” reveals that forgiveness is accompanied by a call to repentance and transformation.
- Grace and Forgiveness: Jesus shows mercy to the woman, emphasizing forgiveness over legalism and punishment.
- Human Sinfulness: Jesus highlights that no one is without sin, turning the accusation back on the religious leaders.
Jesus as the Light of the World – verses 12–20
Jesus makes the bold claim, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenge His authority, questioning the validity of His testimony. Here “Light” is a recurring symbol in John’s Gospel, representing spiritual truth and salvation. Jesus claims to be the source of spiritual enlightenment and life, and He emphasizes His unique relationship with the Father.
Key Themes:
- Divine Authority: Jesus asserts that His testimony is valid because He knows where He comes from (heaven) and where He is going (returning to the Father).
- Spiritual Light vs. Darkness: Jesus offers Himself as the answer to spiritual blindness and the darkness of sin.
Jesus Predicts His Departure and Warns of Unbelief – verses 21–30
Jesus tells the Pharisees that they will die in their sins unless they believe in Him. He also speaks about His departure, indicating that they will not be able to find Him. Jesus is warning them that their unbelief has eternal consequences. He further predicts His crucifixion, saying, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.”
Key Themes:
- Crucifixion as Revelation: Jesus predicts that His crucifixion will reveal His true identity.
- Unbelief and Its Consequences: Jesus warns that rejecting Him leads to spiritual death.
- Jesus’ Divine Identity: He refers to Himself as “I am,” evoking the divine name of God (Yahweh) from the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). This points to His eternal nature and unity with the Father.
The Truth Will Set You Free – verses 31–36
Jesus tells the Jews who believed in Him that if they hold to His teachings, they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. The Jews respond that they are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves, so how can they be set free? Jesus clarifies that He is speaking about spiritual bondage to sin. Only He can provide the true freedom that comes from knowing and accepting the truth.
Key Themes:
- Slavery to Sin: Jesus explains that anyone who sins is a slave to sin and that only the Son can set them free.
- Spiritual Freedom: True freedom comes from accepting the truth of Christ and being set free from the bondage of sin.
Children of Abraham vs. Children of the Devil – verses 37–47
Jesus confronts the Jews, who take pride in their ancestry as descendants of Abraham. Jesus challenges them, saying that their actions reveal their true father, not Abraham, but the devil, because they seek to kill Him. Jesus argues that true children of Abraham would do the works of Abraham, which means having faith in God’s promises. By rejecting and seeking to kill Jesus, the religious leaders are acting in opposition to God’s plan.
Key Themes:
- Satan as the Father of Lies: Jesus makes it clear that those who oppose Him are aligning themselves with Satan, who is the “father of lies.”
- Spiritual Ancestry: Being a true child of Abraham is not about physical descent but about spiritual alignment with God’s will and faith.
Jesus’ Eternal Existence and “I Am” Statement – verses 48–59
The confrontation escalates as the Jews accuse Jesus of being demon-possessed. Jesus responds by speaking of His relationship with the Father and making the extraordinary statement, “Before Abraham was, I am.” This is one of the clearest declarations of Jesus’ divinity in the Gospels. By saying “I am” (in Greek, “ego eimi”), Jesus identifies Himself with God’s name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (“I AM WHO I AM”). This statement was so shocking to the Jews that they attempted to stone Him for blasphemy.
Key Themes:
- Jesus’ Eternal Nature: Jesus claims to exist before Abraham, emphasizing His pre-existence and eternal divinity.
- Divine Identity: Jesus equates Himself with God, provoking outrage from the religious leaders.
John Chapter 8:1-59 King James Bible KJV
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This 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.
7 So 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.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And 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.
10 When 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?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12 Then 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.
13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14 Jesus 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.
15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16 And 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.
18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
19 Then 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.
20 These 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.
21 Then 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.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I 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.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I 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.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28 Then 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.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39 They 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.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus 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.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye 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.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
52 Then 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.
53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
54 Jesus 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:
55 Yet 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.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then 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.