1But Jesus went to the Mountain of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the Temple and all the people came to him and he was seated teaching them. 3Now the scribes and Pharisees came, with a woman who had been taken in the act of sinning against the married relation; 4And putting her forward, they said to him, Master, this woman has been taken in the very act of sinning against the married relation. 5Now in the law Moses gave directions that such women were to be stoned; what do you say about it? 6They said this, testing him, so that they might have something against him. But Jesus, with his head bent down, made letters on the floor with his finger. 7But when they went on with their questions, he got up and said to them, Let him among you who is without sin be the first to send a stone at her. 8And again, with bent head, he made letters on the floor. 9And when his words came to their ears, they went out one by one, starting with the oldest even to the last, because they were conscious of what was in their hearts: and Jesus was there by himself with the woman before him. 10Then Jesus got up, and seeing nobody but the woman, he said to her, Where are the men who said things against you? did no one give a decision against you? 11And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, And I do not give a decision against you: go, and never do wrong again.] 12Then again Jesus said to them, I am the light of the world; he who comes with me will not be walking in the dark but will have the light of life. 13So the Pharisees said to him, The witness you give is about yourself: your witness is not true. 14Jesus said in answer, Even if I give witness about myself, my witness is true, because I have knowledge of where I came from and where I am going; but you have no knowledge of where I come from or of where I am going. 15You are judging from what you see; I am judging no man. 16Even if I am judging, my decision is right, because I am not by myself--with me is the Father who sent me. 17Even in your law it is said that the witness of two men is true. 18I give witness about myself and the Father who sent me gives witness about me. 19Then they said to him, Where is your Father? Jesus said in answer, You have no knowledge of me or of my Father: if you had knowledge of me you would have knowledge of my Father. 20Jesus said these words in the place where the offerings were stored, while he was teaching in the Temple: but no man took him because his time was still to come. 21Then he said to them again, I am going away and you will be looking for me, but death will overtake you in your sins. It is not possible for you to come where I am going. 22So the Jews said, Will he take his life? Is that why he says, Where I go it is not possible for you to come? 23And he said to them, You are of the earth; I am from heaven: you are of this world; I am not of this world. 24For this reason I said to you that death will overtake you in your sins: for if you have not faith that I am he, death will come to you while you are in your sins. 25Then they said to him, Who are you? Jesus said, What I said to you from the first. 26I have much to say about you and against you: but he who sent me is true and what he has said to me I say to the world. 27They did not see that his words were about the Father. 28So Jesus said, When the Son of man has been lifted up by you, then it will be clear to you who I am, and that I do nothing of myself, but say as the Father gave me teaching. 29He who sent me is with me; he has not gone from me, because at all times I do the things which are pleasing to him. 30When he said this a number came to have faith in him. 31Then Jesus said to the Jews who had faith in him, If you keep my word, then you are truly my disciples; 32And you will have knowledge of what is true, and that will make you free. 33They said to him in answer, We are Abraham's seed and have never been any man's servant: why do you say, You will become free? 34And this was the answer Jesus gave them: Truly I say to you, Everyone who does evil is the servant of sin. 35Now the servant does not go on living in the house for ever, but the son does. 36If then the son makes you free, you will be truly free. 37I am conscious that you are Abraham's seed; but you have a desire to put me to death because my word has no place in you. 38I say the things which I have seen in my Father's house: and you do the things which come to you from your father's house. 39In answer they said to him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus said to them, If you were Abraham's children you would do what Abraham did. 40But now you have a desire to put me to death, a man who has said to you what is true, as I had it from God: Abraham did not do that. 41You are doing the works of your father. They said to him, We are true sons of Abraham; we have one Father, who is God. 42Jesus said to them, If God was your Father you would have love for me, because it was from God I came and am here. I did not come of myself, but he sent me. 43Why are my words not clear to you? It is because your ears are shut to my teaching. 44You are the children of your father the Evil One and it is your pleasure to do his desires. From the first he was a taker of life; and he did not go in the true way because there is no true thing in him. When he says what is false, it is natural to him, for he is false and the father of what is false. 45But because I say what is true, you have no belief in me. 46Which of you is able truly to say that I am a sinner? If I say what is true, why have you no belief in me? 47He who is a child of God gives ear to the words of God: your ears are not open to them because you are not from God. 48The Jews said to him in answer, Are we not right in saying that you are of Samaria and have an evil spirit? 49And this was the answer of Jesus: I have not an evil spirit; but I give honour to my Father and you do not give honour to me. 50I, however, am not in search of glory for myself: there is One who is searching for it and he is judge. 51Truly I say to you, If a man keeps my word he will never see death. 52The Jews said to him, Now we are certain that you have an evil spirit. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead; and you say, If a man keeps my word he will never see death. 53Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: who do you say that you are? 54Jesus said in answer, If I take glory for myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father who gives me glory, of whom you say that he is your God. 55You have no knowledge of him, but I have knowledge of him; and if I said I have no knowledge of him I would be talking falsely like you: but I have full knowledge of him, and I keep his word. 56Your father Abraham was full of joy at the hope of seeing my day: he saw it and was glad. 57Then the Jews said to him, You are not fifty years old; have you seen Abraham? 58Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, Before Abraham came into being, I am. 59So they took up stones to send at him: but Jesus got secretly out of their way and went out of the Temple.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The Pharisees and the adulteress. (1-11) Christ's discourse with the Pharisees. (12-59) 1-11 Christ neither found fault with the law, nor excused the prisoner's guilt; nor did he countenance the pretended zeal of the Pharisees. Those are self-condemned who judge others, and yet do the same thing. All who are any way called to blame the faults of others, are especially concerned to look to themselves, and keep themselves pure. In this matter Christ attended to the great work about which he came into the world, that was, to bring sinners to repentance; not to destroy, but to save. He aimed to bring, not only the accused to repentance, by showing her his mercy, but the prosecutors also, by showing them their sins; they thought to insnare him, he sought to convince and convert them. He declined to meddle with the magistrate's office. Many crimes merit far more severe punishment than they meet with; but we should not leave our own work, to take that upon ourselves to which we are not called. When Christ sent her away, it was with this caution, Go, and sin no more. Those who help to save the life of a criminal, should help to save the soul with the same caution. Those are truly happy, whom Christ does not condemn. Christ's favour to us in the forgiveness of past sins should prevail with us, Go then, and sin no more. 12-16 Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more. What a dark dungeon would the world be without the sun! So would it be without Jesus, by whom light came into the world. Those who follow Christ shall not walk in darkness. They shall not be left without the truths which are necessary to keep them from destroying error, and the directions in the way of duty, necessary to keep them from condemning sin. 17-20 If we knew Christ better, we should know the Father better. Those become vain in their imaginations concerning God, who will not learn of Christ. Those who know not his glory and grace, know not the Father that sent him. The time of our departure out of the world, depends upon God. Our enemies cannot hasten it any sooner, nor can our friends delay it any longer, than the time appointed of the Father. Every true believer can look up and say with pleasure, My times are in thy hand, and better there than in my own. To all God's purposes there is a time. 21-29 Those that live in unbelief, are for ever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine nature, so that his doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ's grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ's grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honours to himself. 30-36 Such power attended our Lord's words, that many were convinced, and professed to believe in him. He encouraged them to attend his teaching, rely on his promises, and obey his commands, notwithstanding all temptations to evil. Thus doing, they would be his disciples truly; and by the teaching of his word and Spirit, they would learn where their hope and strength lay. Christ spoke of spiritual liberty; but carnal hearts feel no other grievances than those that molest the body, and distress their worldly affairs. Talk to them of their liberty and property, tell them of waste committed upon their lands, or damage done to their houses, and they understand you very well; but speak of the bondage of sin, captivity to Satan, and liberty by Christ; tell of wrong done to their precious souls, and the hazard of their eternal welfare, then you bring strange things to their ears. Jesus plainly reminded them, that the man who practised any sin, was, in fact, a slave to that sin, which was the case with most of them. Christ in the gospel offers us freedom, he has power to do this, and those whom Christ makes free are really so. But often we see persons disputing about liberty of every kind, while they are slaves to some sinful lust. 37-40 Our Lord opposed the proud and vain confidence of these Jews, showing that their descent from Abraham could not profit those of a contrary spirit to him. Where the word of God has no place, no good is to be expected; room is left there for all wickedness. A sick person who turns from his physician, and will take neither remedies nor food, is past hope of recovery. The truth both heals and nourishes the hearts of those who receive it. The truth taught by philosophers has not this power and effect, but only the truth of God. Those who claim the privileges of Abraham, must do Abraham's works; must be strangers and sojourners in this world; keep up the worship of God in their families, and always walk before God. 41-47 Satan prompts men to excesses by which they murder themselves and others, while what he puts into the mind tends to ruin men's souls. He is the great promoter of falsehood of every kind. He is a liar, all his temptations are carried on by his calling evil good, and good evil, and promising freedom in sin. He is the author of all lies; whom liars resemble and obey, with whom all liars shall have their portion for ever. The special lusts of the devil are spiritual wickedness, the lusts of the mind, and corrupt reasonings, pride and envy, wrath and malice, enmity to good, and enticing others to evil. By the truth, here understand the revealed will of God as to the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, the truth Christ was now preaching, and which the Jews opposed. 48-53 Observe Christ's disregard of the applause of men. those who are dead to the praises of men can bear their contempt. God will seek the honour of all who do not seek their own. In these verses we have the doctrine of the everlasting happiness of believers. We have the character of a believer; he is one that keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus. And the privilege of a believer; he shall by no means see death for ever. Though now they cannot avoid seeing death, and tasting it also, yet they shall shortly be where it will be no more forever, #Ex 14:13|. 54-59 Christ and all that are his, depend upon God for honour. Men may be able to dispute about God, yet may not know him. Such as know not God, and obey not the gospel of Christ, are put together, #2Th 1:8|. All who rightly know anything of Christ, earnestly desire to know more of him. Those who discern the dawn of the light of the Sun of Righteousness, wish to see his rising. "Before Abraham was, I AM." This speaks Abraham a creature, and our Lord the Creator; well, therefore, might he make himself greater than Abraham. I AM, is the name of God, #Ex 3:14|; it speaks his self-existence; he is the First and the Last, ever the same, #Re 1:8|. Thus he was not only before Abraham, but before all worlds, #Pr 8:23; Joh 1:1|. As Mediator, he was the appointed Messiah, long before Abraham; the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, #Re 13:8|. The Lord Jesus was made of God Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, to Adam, and Abel, and all that lived and died by faith in him, before Abraham. The Jews were about to stone Jesus for blasphemy, but he withdrew; by his miraculous power he passed through them unhurt. Let us stedfastly profess what we know and believe concerning God; and if heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall rejoice in looking forward to that day when the Saviour shall appear in glory, to the confusion of his enemies, and to complete the salvation of all who believe in him.