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 8:36 mean?

Explanation

John 8:36 is a statement attributed to Jesus in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, which is part of a larger dialogue between Jesus and a group of Jews concerning the concept of freedom and slavery to sin.

The verse is often understood to convey the message that spiritual freedom comes through Jesus Christ – the Son of God referred to here.

The literal meaning posits that if Jesus, the Son of God, grants someone freedom, then that person is truly free in the most complete sense.

The deeper meaning suggests that this freedom is not a physical or political liberation but rather a spiritual emancipation from the bondage of sin and the consequence of death that sin brings.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 8:36 is part of a passage that takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival.

Jesus is speaking to Jews who have believed in him, explaining the distinction between being descendants of Abraham and being children of God.

The Jews prided themselves on being Abraham's offspring and, by extension, the people of God.

Jesus, however, challenges this notion by stressing that true kinship with God is not a matter of lineage but of doing God's will.

This conversation about freedom and slavery to sin occurs within this larger discourse about spiritual ancestry and obedience to God.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, John 8:36 reflects soteriological themes – how salvation is achieved and what it entails.

In Protestant thought, it is often seen as indicating the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for the liberation of humanity from sin.

Catholics may interpret this verse in harmony with the sacramental life of the Church, where Christ continues to offer freedom through the sacraments.

Practical Applications

John 8:36 offers several practical applications for individuals, encouraging them to seek spiritual freedom through faith in Jesus Christ.

It suggests that true freedom is not found in external circumstances but in the condition of one's soul. Believers can find hope in the promise of liberation from personal struggles with sin and guilt. It calls for a recognition of dependence on divine grace rather than self-reliance.

Cross-References

Romans 6:18: "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
Galatians 5:1: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Romans 8:2: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Language Study

In John 8:36, the key Greek words are:

"Son" (υἱός, huios): Often used to denote "son" in a literal sense, but here signifying Jesus as the Son of God.
"Make you free" (ἐλευθερόω, eleutheroō): Meaning to liberate, release, or set at liberty; used in a sense of granting freedom from bondage.
"Free" (ἐλεύθερος, eleutheros): Denoting freedom or liberty, as opposed to a state of bondage or slavery.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In analyzing John 8:36, one can draw comparisons with other ancient practices and concepts of freedom.

Roman and Greek societies had concrete understandings of freedom concerning citizenship and slavery.

Emancipation of a slave in those cultures often required a legal act by a figure of authority.

Similarly, the Hebrew Bible details the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt, which is celebrated in the Jewish feast of Passover.

Jesus' proclamation of spiritual freedom echoes these familiar ideas of liberation but transcends them by focusing on inner spiritual freedom.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives generally do not directly address the spiritual concepts of freedom presented in John 8:36.

However, psychology and neuroscience might explore the sense of freedom from a mental health standpoint, analyzing how beliefs and spiritual practices impact an individual's sense of autonomy, mental freedom, and well-being.

Commentaries

Numerous biblical scholars and theologians have commented on John 8:36.

Some emphasize the verse's significance in articulating Jesus' role in personal salvation.

Others might focus on the societal implications of the verse, suggesting that true freedom includes both spiritual liberation and the pursuit of justice in social structures.

Still, others may delve into the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the context of freedom.

The predominant theme across most commentaries is the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice and its enduring impact on human freedom.

John 8

John 8

What does John 8:36 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 8:36 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?