John 8

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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.

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

As he spake these words, many believed on him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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:

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.

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

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

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

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.

What does John 8:21 mean?

Explanation

John 8:21 contains Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees that they will seek Him and die in their sins because they cannot go where He is going.

The literal interpretation indicates that Jesus will leave the Earth and go back to the Father, to a place that the Pharisees will not be able to follow due to their unbelief and the sins that result from it.

This verse also symbolizes the spiritual separation between Jesus, who is from above and holy, and the Pharisees, who are from below and embroiled in sin. It essentially underscores the consequences of unbelief -- spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

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Historical Context

John 8:21 is part of a conversation between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time, taking place in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles.

This feast was a commemoration of the Israelites' time in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, and it also celebrated the harvest.

The political atmosphere at the time was tense, with Roman occupation and religious leaders who were very protective of their authority and position.

Jesus' teachings often challenged the existing religious structures and authorities, which led to increasing conflict with the Pharisees.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, John 8:21 is significant in several ways.

Firstly, it reinforces the divinity of Jesus.

His destination, which the Pharisees cannot reach, is a reflection of His heavenly origin and divine nature.

Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus for salvation.

The Pharisees' unbelief is not just a benign difference of opinion; it has eternal consequences.

This verse is also interpreted as a call to self-examination, as Jesus invites his listeners to consider their own spiritual state and their need for a savior.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, John 8:21 can be applied to daily life as a reminder of the eternal implications of belief and unbelief.

It urges individuals to reflect on their spiritual journey and to place their trust in Jesus for salvation.

It can also be seen as a call to Christians to be mindful of the spiritual condition of those around them, recognizing the urgency of evangelism and the sharing of the Gospel message.

Cross-References

John 7:34 - "Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come."
John 13:33 - "Little children, yet a little while I am with you.

Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you."

John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek language of this verse are:

"die" (ἀποθήσεσθε): Aorist middle indicative form of the verb "ἀποθνῄσκω" which means to die or to expire.
"sins" (ἁμαρτίαις): Dative plural of "ἁμαρτία," meaning sins, which are acts of moral failure or transgression against divine law.
"seek" (ζητήσετε): Future active indicative of "ζητέω" that translates to seek, look for, or desire.
"I go" (ὑπάγω): Present active indicative of "ὑπάγω" which means to go away, depart, or withdraw.

This language analysis shows the decisiveness and finality in Jesus' statement, with the use of the future tense indicating the certainty of the consequences he is describing.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In terms of cultural and religious comparisons, John 8:21 stands in contrast to many ancient myths where gods and divine figures intermingle freely with humans.

In this verse, there is a clear distinction between the divine (Jesus) and the human (the Pharisees), along with an impassable barrier due to sin.

In other religious interpretations, for example, Hinduism's concept of moksha or Buddhism's nirvana, there are paths to reach an enlightened or divine state which contrast with the Christian emphasis on belief in Jesus as the sole path to reconciliation with God and access to heaven.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, John 8:21 does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, as it addresses theological and spiritual concepts rather than empirical claims.

The notions of life after death, the eternal soul, and sin are metaphysical and thus outside the bounds of scientific inquiry, which is based on observation and experimentation within the physical realm.

Commentaries

Most biblical commentaries on John 8:21 agree that Jesus is emphasizing the spiritual consequences of the Pharisees' unbelief.

Commentators often point out the sobering reality that rejection of Christ results in remaining in one's sins and being unable to join Him in His heavenly domain. They may discuss the unique claim Jesus is making about His identity and the importance He places on faith for salvation.

Some commentaries also delve into the Pharisees' lack of understanding about Jesus' destination, exploring the theme of spiritual blindness presented throughout the Gospel of John.

John 8

John 8

What does John 8:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 8:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?