John 8
Dort1 Christ teacheth early in the morning in the Temple, 3 where the scribes and Pharisees bring unto him a woman found in adultery. 7 But he makes them ashamed of their intention, writing on the earth, and lets the women go with an admonition; 12 teacheth that he is the light of the world, 13 and defends himself against the pharisees, as well with his own as with his Father testimony. 21 Tells the Jews that they shall seek him in vain, and dye in their sins, if they believe not in him. 26 Declareth who he is sent. 31 Promiseth those that believe in him knowledge of the truth, and freedom from the service of sin, 37 proveth that the unbelieving Jews wrongfully boasted that they were Abraham's and Gods children, and telleth them they are children of the Devil, because they fulfill his desire, 46 Reproveth their unbelief 48 For which they slander him to be a Samaritan who hath the devil, 49 which he denieth and confuteth, 56 and testifieth that Abraham saw his day, and that he was before Abraham was, 59 wherefore they would stone him.
1. But Jesus went to the mount of Olives. [Namely, to tarry there all night, and to pray as he was wont, Luke 21:37. and chap22.39. Of this mount see Mat.21.1.]
2. And early in the morning he came again into the Temple, and all the people came unto him; and being set down he taught them. [Namely, after the manner which the teachers used in the synagogues. see Luke 4:20. and elsewhere. Otherwise he stood sometimes, when he would speak anything very loud, and with special affection, John 7:37.]
3. And the Scribes and Pharisees brought [Gr. led] unto him, a woman taken in adultery.
4. And having set her in the midst, they said unto him, Master, this woman was taken in the act it self committing adultery.
5. And Moses commanded us in the Law, that such shall be stoned. [The Law of Moses commandeth that such shall be punished with death, Lev.20.10. but that they must be stone, they seem to have concluded from Deu.22. v.23.,24.] Thou therefore what saith thou?
6. And this they said if he should absolve her, they could accuse him as a destroyer of the Law: and if he condemned her, that they might bring him in hatred with the people as unmerciful] that they might have (somewhat) to accuse him: But Jesus stooping down wrote with the finger in the earth. [that is, in the duct of the floor of the Temple. Now what he wrote is not expressed some think that he wrote the same that he afterwards told them.]
7. And as they continued to ask him, he lift up himself, and said unto them, he of you that is without sin [Gr. sinless, i,e who is not fallen into the like or some othervsins, or thinks that he could not hereafter fall into it] cast first a stone on her. [Christ seems her to have respect to the Law, Deuteronomy 17:7.]
8. And again stooping down he wrote on the Earth:
9. But they [Namely, the accusers] hearing (this) and being convicted by (their own) conscience, went out one after another, beginning from the eldest unto the last: and Jesus was left alone [Not in respect of the multitude to whom Christ immediately speaketh, v.12 but is respect of the Pharisees which accused the woman] and the woman standing in the midst?
10. And Jesus raising himself up, and seeing no body but the woman, said unto her, woman, where are these thine accuser? hath no man condemned thee?
11. And she said , no man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, neither do i condemn thee; [Christ doth not condemn her. neither doth he acquit her, seeing it was not his office to pronounce a civil sentence upon evil doers, but teacher to bring sinners to repentance. see the like Luke 12:14.] go thy way and sin no more.
12. Then spake Jesus again [Namely, after that his preaching had ceased or was hindred by the foregoing accusation of the Chief Priests] unto them [Namely, to the Jews assembled in the Temple] saying, i am the light [it seems that Christ being come into the Temple very early occasion to speak of the true spiritual light, as he also often elsewhere did upon other occasion, John 4:10. and 6.35.] of the world [that is, which give the true light of saving knowledge, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. see Esa.49. 6.] he that followeth me. [that is, that brings a man to everlasting life see John 6:68.]
13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, thou testifiest thy self: thy testimony is not true . [That is, firm and sufficient to make us to believe]
14. Jesus answered and said unto them, although i testify of my self (yet notwithstanding) my testimony is true: for i know from whence i came, and whither i go [that is, for i am not only a man, but also the true Son of God, whom am come down from heaven as the Father Ambassador, v.16. and according to my humane nature shall ascend tither again] but ye know not whence i come and whither i go?
15. Yee judge after the flesh [that is, according to the outward shew, in which ye look upon me as a man only] i judge no man [namely, as ye do: or in this present time. For otherwise the Father hath give all judgment to the Son, John 5:22.]
16. And if i judge also, my judgment is true, for i am not alone, but i and the Father which sent me? [Namely i, for as much as i am the Son of God, and the Father, we are two witnesses, and for this cause my testimony is true, as Christ concludes v.17,18.]
17. And it is also written in your law [Namely, Deuteronomy 17:6. and 19.15.] that the testimony of two men true [that is, sufficiency to be to be received in judgment.]
18. It is i that testify to my self , and the Father which sent me testifieth of me.]
19. They said therefore unto him, where is thy Father? Jesus answered , ye know neither me or my Father; if yo know me[Namely according to my divine nature according to which i am the express image of the Father, John 14:9. Heb.1.3.] ye should know my Father also.
20. These words spake Jesus by the Treasure – chest, [Gr. in the Treasure – chest, i.e. in that place of the Temple where the Treasure – chest stood. see 2 Kings 12.v.9. Mark 12:41. Luke 21:1.] teaching in the Temple, and no man apprehended him, [namely, although he spake so boldly] for his hour was not yet come [namely, ordained by God for suffering and death.]
21. Then Jesus said again unto them, i go away: [Namely to heaven] and ye shall seek me [that is, when destruction shall come upon you, ye shall cry unto God, and consequently to me, in vain, see Prov.1.v.24.etc] and ye shall dye in your sin; [that is, for your obstinate unbelief, ye shall temporally and eternally perish, Mark 16:16. John 3:18.] whither i go y e cannot come [namely , because ye cannot ascend into heaven, like as being dead shall do after my resurrection. see John 13:33,36]
22. Then said the Jews will be then kill himself:[namely, to avoid being taken and made away by the Rulers of the Jews] because be saith , whither i go ye cannot come?
23. And he said unto them, ye are from beneath [Gr. of those (places) from beneath] i am from above [Gr. of those (places) from above] ye are this world [that is, ye understand in an earthly and worldly sense, because ye are earthly men] i am not of this world.
24. I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sin. For id ye believe not that i am (he) [That is , that i am the true Messiah , for whom i give out my self . So also hereafter v. 28] ye shall die in your sins
25. Then said they unto him, who art thou? And Jesus said unto them that which i also say unto you from the beginning [Gr. in the beginning, that i also spake unto you, i.e that which from the beginning of my preaching i said or spake]
26. I have many things to say you and to judge, but [Namely, yet for as much as ye would not believe it therefore i say only this, that he that sent me, &c.] he that sent me is true [namely, the Father] and the things which i have heard from him, the same i spake to the world. [or in the world]
27. They understood not that the spake unto them of the father.
28. Then said Jesus unto them, when ye shall have lift up the son of man [Namely, on the cross,m John 3:14. and chap 12.v.22] then shall ye understand that i am he [that is,many among you shall acknowledge it, by the signs which then shall come to pass, and by my resurrection afterwards, Luke 23:48 & Acts 2:41.] and (that) i do nothing of my self [that is, that i propound no doctrine, which i have framed my self] but speak these things according as my Father hath taught me.
29. And he that hath sent me i with me. The Father hath not left me alone [Namely, for as much as i and the Father are one, and he hath confirmed my sending with man testimonies and signs, Acts 2:22.] for i do always that which is pleasing unto him:
30. As he spake these things, many believed in him,
31. Then said Jesus to the Jews which believed (in) him, if ye abide in my word [that is, persevere in my doctrine] then are ye truly my Disciples.
32. And shall understand[that is, be more and more instructed and confirm therein] the truth [namely of my doctrine receive and believed by you, John 1:12.] and the truth shall make you free. [namely, from death, and the servitude of sin]
33. They answered him, we are Abrahams seed, and never served any man , [That which Christ had spoken of spiritual freedome and bondage,they understand of outward or Corporal : of which notwithstanding they could not much boast,seeing their forefathers had been servants in Egypt,Gen.15.13. and Exod.20.2. and they themselves at that time were subject to the Romans]how saist thou (then) ye shall be made free?
34. Jesus answered them,verily,verily,I say unto you,everyone that doth sin [That is,that lets sin reign over him,and maketh as it were his work of sinning,Rom.6.17. 2 Pet.2.19. ! John 3:8.] is a servant of sin.
35. And the servant abideth not forever in the house,[That is,like a slave hath no right to abide alwaies in his masters house,or to be his heir; forasmuch as his master may thrust him out,or sell him to others,So likewise shall not they abide in the house of God who are slaves of sin,but only the true children of God] the Son abideth for ever.
36. If therefore the Son shall have made you free,ye shall be truly free [Or indeed.]
37. I know that ye are Abrahams seed [Namely, according to the flesh] but ye seek to kill me [and thereby ye shew that ye are no true children of Abraham. See v.39.] for my word hath no place in you. [or goeth not through into you, i.e. into your heart :]
38. I speak that which I have seen with my father,[See John 5:19,20.] ye therefore do also that which ye have seen with your Father [that is which ye have learned by the inspiration of the Devil.See v.44.]
39. They answered and said unto him Abraham is our Father.Jesus said unto them,if ye were Abrahama children [That is,right and true children of Abraham] ye would do the works of Abraham.
40. But now ye seek to kill me,a man who have spoken the truth to you [That is,the true doctrine of salvation] which i have heard of God,that did not Abraham.
41. Ye do the works of our Father.Then said they unto him we are not born out of whoredome [Namely,as bastards, or as idolaters,such as the Samaritans were]we have one Father (namely) God.
42. Then said Jesus unto them,if God were your father ye would love me : for I am gone forth Namely.not only sent as Mediatour,as appears from that which follows,but also begotten of him.See John 10:30. Heb.5.5.] from God [gr.out of God,by eternal generation from the Father,Psa.2.7. Mich.4.1. John 5:26.] and come (from him) for neither am I come of my self,but he sent me.
43. Wherefore do ye not know my speech? (It is) because ye cannot bear my word [That is,endure my doctrine and manner of speaking,,wherewith I propound the same unto you,as being repugnant to your evil prejudices and inclinations,John 6:60.]
44. Ye are of the father the Devil [That is,ye take after the Devil] and will do the lusts of your Father [which are principally to slander and murder of men] he was a man-slayer [because he brought man to sin,and thereby to temporal and eternal death] from the beginning [namely,of the creation of mankind] and abode not standing in the truth,[that is,in the uprightness in which he was created, 2 Pet.2.4. Jud.v.6.] for there is no truth in him.When he speakath a lye,he speaketh his own [Gr,of his proper,namely,suggestions and motions] for he is a lyar and a father of the same (ly.) [that is,inventer and Author of those lies.]
45. But me,because I tell (you) the truth ye believe not ;
46. Which of you convinceth me of sin [That is,of any fault of my doctrine or life] and if I say the truth why do ye not believe me?
47. He that is of God [that is,he that hath God for his father like as the Jews boasted v.41.] heareth the words of God,[that is,heareth and obeyeth the willingly] therefore ye hear not,because ye are not of God.
48. The Jews therefore answered and said unto him,say we not well that thou art a Samaritane [That is,one that is enstranged from the true worship of God,and therefore an Enemie of the Jews as the Samaritanes were,Luke 9:53.] and hast the Devil? See John 7:20.
49. Jesus answered,I have not the Devil,but I honour my Father [Namely.by my doctrine and works] and ye dishonour me [namely,with your slanders.]
50. (But) I seek not my (own) honour : there is one that seeketh,and judgeth. [That is,which will judge betwixt you and me,and avenge such slanders.]
51. Verily,verily,I say unto you,if any man shalt have kept my word,he shall not see, [That is,not taste as is said in the following verse,i.e. not be subject to death,that is eternal death] forever.
52. Then said the Jews unto him,now we know that thou hast the Devil. Abraham is dead and the Prophets,and saist thou [Or thou saist] if any man shall have kept my word,he shall not taste death forever :
53. Art thou great then our father Abraham which is dead? and the Prophets are dead,[Namely who notwithstanding kept the word of God] whom makest thou thy self?
54. Jesus answered,if I honour my self ,my honour is nothing,it is my Father which honoureth me,whom ye say that (he) is your God :
55. And ye know him not [Namely aright,as ye ought,as v.19.] but I know him,and if I say that I know him not,I shall be like unto you,(that is) a lyar : but I know him and keep his word.
56. Abraham your Father longed with rejoycing [Gr.leapt up for joy] that he might see my day,[namely,of my coming in the flesh,Luke 10:24. Heb.11.13.] and he saw (it) [namely,by faith looking upon Gods promise of his coming] and hath been [or was glad] glad.[see Gen.17.17.]
57. Then said the Jews unto him,thou hast not yet fifty years [Namely,being taken at the highest,according to thy looks shew.For Christ was but about four and thirty years old when he suffered] and hast thou seen Abraham.
58. Jesus said unto them,verily,verily, I say unto you,before Abraham was [Or become,namely born] I am [namely,was according to my devine nature,which is from everlasting, Mich.5.1.]
59. Then they took up stones that they might cast them at him [Namely as at one whom they held to be a blasphemer,forasmuch as he made himself equal to God. See Lev. v.16. and John 10:33.] But Jesus hid himself,and went out of the Temple going through the midst of them [namely,either holding their eys,or hiding himself among the maltitude,Luke 4:30. and 24.16.] and so passed by.