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 8:33 mean?

Explanation

John 8:33 presents a moment where the Jewish leaders are responding to Jesus' claim about truth and freedom.

Jesus had just stated in the previous verse (John 8:32) that "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The leaders then assert their lineage from Abraham as a defense, insisting they have never been in bondage.

This response seems to show a misunderstanding or deliberate ignorance of their historical enslavement, such as the Israelites' bondage in Egypt, the Babylonian captivity, and the then-current occupation by the Roman Empire.

On a deeper level, it reveals their lack of recognition of spiritual bondage from sin, which Jesus is addressing.

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Historical Context

During the time John was written, likely late in the first century, Jews highly valued their identity as descendants of Abraham.

They interpreted this heritage as a mark of God's special favor and a sign of their freedom as God's chosen people.

The response in John 8:33 may be an instance of nationalistic pride or a misunderstanding of their spiritual condition.

Despite various captivities and occupations, these Jewish leaders might have felt their status as Abraham's descendants ensured a sort of spiritual or moral autonomy.

Theological Insights

Diverse theological perspectives interpret this verse differently:

Traditional Christian theology sees this verse as highlighting the spiritual blindness and pride of the Jewish leaders who failed to recognize their need for spiritual liberation through Jesus Christ.
Reformed theology might emphasize the concept of "total depravity," suggesting that without divine intervention, humans are incapable of recognizing their bondage to sin.
Liberation theology might use this verse to discuss the meaning of real freedom, both spiritually and in terms of social justice.

Practical Applications

The applications of this verse could be:

People should be aware of the potential for spiritual bondage even when they are not physically oppressed.
One should take care not to misuse religious or cultural heritage to justify complacency or deny the need for continual spiritual growth and redemption.
This verse can serve as a reflection on true freedom, urging believers to seek liberation through spiritual truth.

Cross-References

John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Romans 2:28-29: "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly...But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly..."
Galatians 3:29: "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Exodus 2:23-25: Discusses Israel's bondage in Egypt.

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek language:

"Seed" (σπέρμα, sperma): often refers to literal descendance, but can also allude to those who are spiritual descendants.
"Bondage" (δουλεία, douleia): means servitude or enslavement, which can be both literal and metaphorical in nature.
"Free" (ἐλεύθερος, eleutheros): can imply freedom in a social or political sense, but also spiritual liberation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing with other cultures:

In Greco-Roman culture, being a free citizen carried certain rights and prestige, contrasting with slaves who had no such privileges.
In other Semitic cultures, lineage and tribal affiliations also defined one's status and privileges, similar to Jewish emphasis on Abrahamic descent.

Scientific Perspectives

There is no direct correlation between this verse and scientific perspectives.

However, in the broader sense of understanding the human condition, psychology might explore the concept of denial or cognitive dissonance displayed by the Jewish leaders in facing their historical and spiritual realities.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the false pride of the Jewish leaders and their unwillingness to recognize Jesus' authority.
The MacArthur Study Bible notes that the leaders' response could either reflect their lack of recognition of their subjugation to Rome or, more likely, that they misunderstood Jesus as speaking only of political freedom.
The New International Commentary on the New Testament suggests that the claim they had "never been in bondage" was a statement of idealistic nationalism, ignoring the less than ideal realities of Jewish history.

John 8

John 8

What does John 8:33 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 8:33 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?