Feast and Conflict pt. 2

(JOHN 8)

From the Commentary

John 7:53–8:11 is not found in some of the ancient manuscripts; where it is found, it is not always in this location in John’s gospel. Most scholars seem to agree that the passage is a part of inspired Scripture (“a fragment of authentic gospel material,” says Dr. F. F. Bruce) regardless of where it is placed.To many of us, the story fits right here! In fact, the development of the entire chapter can easily be seen to grow out of this striking event in the temple. Our Lord’s declaration on His being the Light of the World (John 8:12) certainly fits, and so do His words about true and false judgment (John 8:15–16, 26). The repeated phrase “die in your sins” (John 8:21, 24) would clearly relate to the judgment of the woman, and the fact that the chapter ends with an attempt to stone Jesus shows a perfect parallel to the opening story. The transition from John 7:52 to 8:12 would be too abrupt without a transitional section.

1. Why do you think this passage of Scripture (John 7:53–8:11) isn’t found in some of the ancient manuscripts? Does this mean it is less valuable for us today? Why or why not? What lessons can we learn from the text?

From the Commentary

The Jewish leaders, of course, were trying to pin Jesus on the horns of a dilemma. If He said, “Yes, the woman must be stoned!” then what would happen to His reputation as the “friend of publicans and sinners”? The common people would no doubt have abandoned Him and would never have accepted His gracious message of forgiveness.But, if He said, “No, the woman should not be stoned!” then He was openly breaking the law and subject to arrest. On more than one occasion, the religious leaders had tried to pit Jesus against Moses, and now they seemed to have the perfect challenge (see John 5:39–47; 6:32ff.; 7:40ff.).

2. Did Jesus minimize the seriousness of adultery in 8:1–11? How can you tell? How does Jesus’ treatment of this woman fit into the overall theme of His message to men and women? What does it mean to say that “forgiveness is free, but it is not cheap”?

From the Commentary

Jesus’ second great “I am” statement (in John 8:12–20) fits into the context of the first eleven verses of John 8. Perhaps the sun was then appearing (John 8:2) so that Jesus was comparing Himself to the rising sun. But this would mean He was once again claiming to be God, for to the Jew, the sun was a symbol of Jehovah God (Ps. 84:11; Mal. 4:2). There is, for our galaxy, only one sun, and it is the center and the source of life. So there is but one God who is the center of all and the source of all life (John 1:4). “God is light” (1 John 1:5), and wherever the light shines, it reveals humanity’s wickedness (Eph. 5:8–14).

3. How does Jesus use the symbolism of “light” to claim He is God in John 8:12? How do the Pharisees react to this statement? What is your reaction to Jesus’ answer in 8:14–18? Could this claim have been made by just anyone? If so, what makes Jesus’ answer the truth?

From the Commentary

Jesus had already mentioned His leaving them (John 7:34), but the Jews had misunderstood what He said. Once again, He warned them: He would leave them, they would not be able to follow Him, and they would die in their sins! They were wasting their God-given opportunities by arguing with Him instead of trusting Him, and one day soon, their opportunities would end.Once again, the people misunderstood His teaching. They thought He was planning to kill Himself! Suicide was an abhorrent thing to a Jew, for the Jews were taught to honor all life. If Jesus committed suicide, then He would go to a place of judgment, and this, they reasoned, was why they could not follow Him.Actually, just the opposite was true: It was they who were going to the place of judgment!

4. Jesus states (in 8:21) that where He goes, “you cannot come.” Why might this have confused His followers? What did they expect from the Messiah? How might this message (and the words that follow in chapter 8) have been misunderstood by those who were hearing Jesus speak? What does this teach us about faith?

5. Is it easy for you to believe Jesus is the Messiah? Why or why not? What evidence helps you to make your decision? What role does Scripture play in helping you to see who Jesus was and is? What role does the Holy Spirit play?

6. As you review Jesus’ answers to the crowds and religious leaders in chapters 7 and 8, what is your immediate response to Jesus’ claims about who He is? What doubts do you still have after reading this section of Scripture? What does this tell you about the role faith plays in knowing Christ?