Gospel of John - 8

Gospel of John – 8

7:53 – 8:59

Introduction

6th Discourse – Jesus is the Light of the world

7:53-8:11

- Most bibles have this in brackets…not in earliest manuscripts

o Older = better and more accurate manuscripts

o Only one ancient manuscript has it…Codex Bezae, which is highly inaccurate

§ KJV based off it…tradition keeps text in the Bible

o Likely a true event, but not one John recorded

- V. 3 – where is the man? OT law called for both to be held accountable

o Setup to take town Jesus

o Could be one of their own religious leaders

- V. 5 – Deuteronomy 22:22 – purge evil from your midst

- V. 6 – test him

o If agree, then not compassionate or gracious

o If disagree, disputes the Law of Moses

- V. 7 – without sin…direct reference to Dt. 13:9;17:7

o Witnesses were to start the execution…but couldn’t be guilty of same sin

- V. 9 – older walked away first

o Wisdom of age

o She is standing before him…he is in front of her…could it be that he got in between her and them to defend her

- V. 11 – blend of grace and truth

8:12-30

- V. 12 – Feast of Booths…already saw the water ceremony, but there was one with light

o Commemorated God’s leading of Israel in the wilderness by pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21)

- “On the evening of its first day, there was a ceremony called the Illumination of the Temple. It took place in the Court of the Women. The court was surrounded with deep galleries, erected to hold the spectators. In the centre, four great candelabra were prepared. When the dark came, the four great candelabra were lit and, it was said, they sent such a blaze of light throughout Jerusalem that every courtyard was lit up with their brilliance… Jesus is saying: ‘You have seen the blaze of the Temple illuminations piercing the darkness of the night. I am the light of the world, and for anyone who follows me there will be light, not only for one exciting night, but for all the pathway of life. The light in the Temple is a brilliant light, but in the end it flickers and dies. I am the light which lasts forever.”[1]

o In the area of the Temple where he is standing, there were always 16 Golden bowls filled with oil and lit. Represented the pillar of fire in Exodus.

- Light of the world

o Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 49:6 (quoted in Acts 13); 60:19-20 (Rev. 21:22-25)

o Ephesians 5:6-14; 1 John 1:5-7

- V. 13-14 – continues dispute from 5:31-47

o Multiple witnesses were needed to establish truth (Dt. 17:6)

- V. 15 – according to flesh…physical understanding (issue all along)

o Judge no one…did not come 1st time to judge (3:17; 12:47)

o Will come to judge the 2nd time – 12:48

- V. 16 – Jesus has corroborating witness…the Father

- V. 19 – technical knowledge does not = saving faith

- V. 21 – where I am going…again referring to Heaven

- V. 23 – from below/above – natural world v. Heaven

- V. 24 – I am he…ego eimi…divine declaration

- V. 29 – pleasing the Father…speaks of absence/avoidance of sin, and actively seeks God’s will.

8:31-47

- V. 31 – tests their belief = false

o Abide…continue in my word and obedience

o ‘truly’ my disciples

- V. 32 – in context…only way to know the truth is by Jesus’ word

- V. 33 – never slaves…not true at all. Egypt, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greeks, Syrians, Romans

o Some physical misunderstanding

o Likely referring to freedom of religion under Rome

- V. 34 – slave to sin

o Dire consequence of sin. Must understand bondage to experience freedom.

o Implying he is not a political savior, but a spiritual one.

o Romans 6:16

- V. 36 – only Jesus sets free

o Romans 8:1-2; Galatians 5:1

o Hebrews 12:1-4 – sin that so easily entangles

- V. 37 – word finds no place in them, not because they weren’t convincing, but because of their heart.

o No matter how good ancestors are if you walk in disobedience. No matter how bad your ancestors are if you walk in obedience.

- V. 39-40 – yes, descended from Abraham, but not his true children

o Those who believe in Jesus are children of Abraham

§ Romans 2:28-29; 9:6-8; Galatians 3:7-9

o Not what Abraham did…he believed in God

§ Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23

§ They need to believe in Jesus since he came from God

- V. 41 – sarcastic dig at Jesus’ birth

o ‘one Father’ – rare for Jew to refer to God as Father

§ Key component of Jesus’ teaching

- V. 42-44 – children of devil, not Abraham

o Religious people/church people do not = saved

o Murder/lying…trying to kill him, emphasis on truth

- V. 43 – not understand…a theme of the letter…reason – cannot bear to hear my word

o Hear = accept

- V. 44 – murderer

o Satan murderer…could refer to Fall and bringer of spiritual death

§ Or incited Cain to kill Abel (1 John 3:12)

o Not stand in truth/father of lies

§ Genesis 3:3-4

§ Distorts and denies God’s word…leads to Disobey God’s word

- V. 46 – no sin

o 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26

- V. 47 – not hear = not accept (believe and follow)

8:48-59

- V. 48 – Samaritan

o Hatred toward them

o Reference to Samaritans who question Jew’s right to claim sole descendants of Abraham

- V. 51 – Never…transcends time into eternity

- V. 56 – Abraham rejoiced

o Likely referring to pattern of confident faith in God

o If referring to specific event…

§ Genesis 12:1-3 – world will be blessed

§ Genesis 22:13-18 – God will provide a sacrifice

- V. 58 – I am…no confusion here

- V. 59 – stoning was the penalty for blasphemy (Lev. 24:16; Dt. 13:6-11)

Application

How quickly/easily do you condemn sinners?

v. 24 – do you really believe Jesus is God?

v. 31-32 – do you abide in his word…true disciples who know the truth

v. 34 – what sin do you need to be freed from?

1 Corinthians 10:13

v. 46 – Jesus is sinless…do you believe that?

v. 56 – saw it and was glad…does your faith make you joyful?

1 Peter 1:3-9

[1] Barclay, The Gospel of John, 13. Emphasis in original.