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 8:41 mean?

Explanation

John 8:41 features a pointed exchange between Jesus and a group of Jews who were challenging his teachings and authority.

In this verse, the Jews are defending their spiritual lineage, claiming God as their Father in response to Jesus's accusation that they are following the sinful ways of their true father.

The phrase "We be not born of fornication" is their assertion that they are not spiritual bastards but rather legitimate children of God.

However, Jesus's earlier words imply that despite their claims, their actions are not in line with God's, indicating that their spiritual lineage or claim to God is compromised by their deeds which reflect a different parentage (implying allegiance to the devil).

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

During the time this verse was written, the dynamic between Jesus and the Jewish authorities was marked by tension and conflict.

The context of this discussion in John 8 is particularly controversial and heated.

Jesus had just evaded an attempt at being trapped by the Pharisees with the incident of the adulterous woman, and he continued to teach in the temple where he engaged with the Jewish leaders on the truth of his message and his divine origin.

Theological Insights

Theologically, John 8:41 expresses a strong contrast between those who truly follow God and those who only claim to do so.

From a Christian perspective, this reflects the Johannine theme of light versus darkness and truth versus falsehood. It indicates the idea that true children of God will follow Jesus, who embodies divine truth and wisdom.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse challenges individuals to reflect on whether their actions align with their spiritual identity.

It prompts believers to consider if they live in a way that honors their claim of being children of God and encourages integrity between faith and actions.

Cross-References

John 8:44: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do."
Romans 8:14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Matthew 7:21: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key phrases include "οὐ γεγεννήμεθα ἐκ πορνείας" (ou gegennēmetha ek porneias), which translates to "we were not born of sexual immorality." This indicates their claim to moral and spiritual legitimacy.

The use of "πορνείας" (porneias) carries significant weight as it is a term often associated with idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness in the Bible.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the religious systems contemporary with early Christianity, such as those in the Greco-Roman world, spiritual lineage and heritage were also important themes.

However, the Jewish identification with God as their Father was somewhat unique and strongly emphasized their covenant relationship with God. This statement by the Jews in John 8:41 reflects their deep-rooted belief in their special status as God's chosen people.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not directly interact with the theological and spiritual claims of biblical verses such as John 8:41.

However, the concept of a person's actions reflecting their lineage or heritage can be loosely related to discussions in epigenetics, where it is understood that certain traits can be influenced by an individual's ancestral experiences.

This, however, refers to physical and behavioral characteristics, not spiritual or moral ones.

Commentaries

Commentators offer a range of perspectives on John 8:41.

For example, the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes the defensive nature of the Jews' claim and how their focus on physical descent is missing Jesus's point about spiritual sonship.

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes that the response of the Jews reveals their priding themselves on their descent from Abraham, which they believed entitles them to divine favor.

Other scholars focus on the escalating hostility of the conversation, with Jesus challenging the Jews' self-identity with strong spiritual implications.

John 8

John 8

What does John 8:41 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 8:41 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?