JESUS – THE LIGHT AND THE “I AM”
Study No. Sixteen. Chapter 8:1 – 59
Various bible commentaries bring to our attention that John 7:53-8:11 is not included in some of the oldest manuscripts. Some believe it was spurious text. Augustine declares that it was stricken from many copies of the sacred story because of a prudish fear that it might teach immorality!
Some commentators state very strongly that is seems so out of place and so out of keeping with what John has been presenting that it must be of doubtful origin.
Yet other commentators speak very strongly in support of the authenticity of this text.
I believe it fits very well with John has been presenting.
The Pharisee Jews want Jesus dead. In their minds he has, in addition to breaking Sabbath laws, committed blasphemy by making Himself equal with God.
They have attempted to gather evidence which would incriminate Him. So far their efforts have failed. The ‘officers’ which they sent for this task have returned, not only without evidence, but indicating support of Jesus’ teaching.
What we have in this chapter is a cunning attempt to destroy Jesus by either ruining His reputation, at the very least, or possibly even having Him arrested.
Jesus has spent the night on the Mount of Olives.
Early in the morning He returns to the temple.
He sits (in one of the courtyards) and teaches.
The Scribes and Pharisees bring to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery.
There is no mention of the adulterous man.
There is no mention of the husband.
They immediately remind Jesus of Moses’ law demanding the death penalty and ask Him where He stands on this issue.
They suppose that He is trapped.
They think they have given Him two options:
1. Agree with Moses and recommend stoning.
Do they expect Jesus to say, Stone her!? If He were to make such a statement, do they expect His followers to pick up stones and do it? If so, they would immediately report Him to the Roman authorities and have Him arrested. John 18:31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
If Jesus were to say, “Yes, she ought to be stoned to death, but presently we are not permitted to do this because of the Roman government.”, they could then scorn him in front of the people for being weak and unwilling to stand up against Rome.
2. Disagree with Moses
Do they expect Jesus to show mercy to this woman? They would immediately accuse Him of being disloyal to Moses law, thereby destroying all credibility with the people.
What did Moses law say about adultery and judgment?
De 22:22 "If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die—the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel.
De 17:5 then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil deed to your gates, that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them to death. 6 "On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death ; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. 7 "The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Writing in the sand.
He that is without sin, cast the first stone.
Jesus does not condone the sin.
Does not put himself in the place of judge.
Instructs the woman to stop this sinful behaviour.
Jesus gives a universal invitation 12
I am the light … follow me. He met with a woman who was drawing water from a well … and offered himself as the water of eternal life. He talked about the manna from heaven and offered himself as the bread of life. On the last day of the feast, while water was being drawn from the pool of Siloam and carried in a golden vial, Jesus again refers to himself as the water of life.
Now on this occasion at the end of the feast …
In "the treasury" where it was spoken stood two colossal golden lamp-stands, on which hung a multitude of lamps, lighted after the evening sacrifice (probably every evening during the feast of tabernacles), diffusing their brilliancy, it is said, over all the city. Around these the people danced with great rejoicing. Now, as amidst the festivities of the water from Siloam Jesus cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink," so now amidst the blaze and the joyousness of this illumination, He proclaims, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" – JFB commentary.
The Pharisees charge Jesus with having no valid proof of His identity. 13
A response to Jesus’ invitation and teaching. 30 When is belief not enough?
Many (not all) of those in the audience believed. (John 2:23-25)
Jesus indicates that this ‘belief’ is not salvation, but if they proceed in this direction (abide) they will come to the truth and find freedom from sin. 32 (James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.)
Some of these, who have indicated ‘initial’ belief have a problem with letting go of their previous understanding of the basis of their salvation. 33 In other words, they are thinking that this may indeed be the Christ, but they are not thinking that they are ‘lost’ and in need of a saviour.
Jesus brings up the ‘sin’ problem and indicates their need for deliverance. 34-36
Jesus says that, in wanting to kill Him, they are following in their father’s footsteps. 38 - 40
They claim Abraham to be their father. Jesus says, Abraham would never do this.
41 … “but you are following in your father’s footsteps.”
Sin must be acknowledged, owned, regretted to produce repentance. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation,
To increase their conviction of sin, Jesus increases His confrontational approach.
“You want to kill me. Abraham would never do this. You do the deeds of your father”
Defensively the listeners quickly change from claiming Abraham as their father, to claiming God to be their father.
Jesus challenges them on the basis of their visible fruit (actions) just as He did when they were claiming to be children of Abraham. 42 – 47
Opposition from ‘the Jews’. 48
Jesus answers each objection of the Jews but does it in such a way that their anger is incensed. 49-58
Jesus makes ‘an ultimate’ claim which causes ‘the Jews’ to lose all caution or concern of breaking Roman law. 59.
Jesus, The “I AM” See Verse 24
What did this ‘ultimate claim’ mean to the Jews? Ex 3:14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"
Various bible commentaries bring to our attention that John 7:53-8:11 is not included in some of the oldest manuscripts. Some believe it was spurious text. Augustine declares that it was stricken from many copies of the sacred story because of a prudish fear that it might teach immorality!
Some commentators state very strongly that is seems so out of place and so out of keeping with what John has been presenting that it must be of doubtful origin.
Yet other commentators speak very strongly in support of the authenticity of this text.
I believe it fits very well with John has been presenting.
The Pharisee Jews want Jesus dead. In their minds he has, in addition to breaking Sabbath laws, committed blasphemy by making Himself equal with God.
They have attempted to gather evidence which would incriminate Him. So far their efforts have failed. The ‘officers’ which they sent for this task have returned, not only without evidence, but indicating support of Jesus’ teaching.
What we have in this chapter is a cunning attempt to destroy Jesus by either ruining His reputation, at the very least, or possibly even having Him arrested.
Jesus has spent the night on the Mount of Olives.
Early in the morning He returns to the temple.
He sits (in one of the courtyards) and teaches.
The Scribes and Pharisees bring to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery.
There is no mention of the adulterous man.
There is no mention of the husband.
They immediately remind Jesus of Moses’ law demanding the death penalty and ask Him where He stands on this issue.
They suppose that He is trapped.
They think they have given Him two options:
1. Agree with Moses and recommend stoning.
Do they expect Jesus to say, Stone her!? If He were to make such a statement, do they expect His followers to pick up stones and do it? If so, they would immediately report Him to the Roman authorities and have Him arrested. John 18:31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
If Jesus were to say, “Yes, she ought to be stoned to death, but presently we are not permitted to do this because of the Roman government.”, they could then scorn him in front of the people for being weak and unwilling to stand up against Rome.
2. Disagree with Moses
Do they expect Jesus to show mercy to this woman? They would immediately accuse Him of being disloyal to Moses law, thereby destroying all credibility with the people.
What did Moses law say about adultery and judgment?
De 22:22 "If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die—the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel.
De 17:5 then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil deed to your gates, that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them to death. 6 "On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death ; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. 7 "The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Writing in the sand.
He that is without sin, cast the first stone.
Jesus does not condone the sin.
Does not put himself in the place of judge.
Instructs the woman to stop this sinful behaviour.
Jesus gives a universal invitation 12
I am the light … follow me. He met with a woman who was drawing water from a well … and offered himself as the water of eternal life. He talked about the manna from heaven and offered himself as the bread of life. On the last day of the feast, while water was being drawn from the pool of Siloam and carried in a golden vial, Jesus again refers to himself as the water of life.
Now on this occasion at the end of the feast …
In "the treasury" where it was spoken stood two colossal golden lamp-stands, on which hung a multitude of lamps, lighted after the evening sacrifice (probably every evening during the feast of tabernacles), diffusing their brilliancy, it is said, over all the city. Around these the people danced with great rejoicing. Now, as amidst the festivities of the water from Siloam Jesus cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink," so now amidst the blaze and the joyousness of this illumination, He proclaims, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" – JFB commentary.
The Pharisees charge Jesus with having no valid proof of His identity. 13
A response to Jesus’ invitation and teaching. 30 When is belief not enough?
Many (not all) of those in the audience believed. (John 2:23-25)
Jesus indicates that this ‘belief’ is not salvation, but if they proceed in this direction (abide) they will come to the truth and find freedom from sin. 32 (James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.)
Some of these, who have indicated ‘initial’ belief have a problem with letting go of their previous understanding of the basis of their salvation. 33 In other words, they are thinking that this may indeed be the Christ, but they are not thinking that they are ‘lost’ and in need of a saviour.
Jesus brings up the ‘sin’ problem and indicates their need for deliverance. 34-36
Jesus says that, in wanting to kill Him, they are following in their father’s footsteps. 38 - 40
They claim Abraham to be their father. Jesus says, Abraham would never do this.
41 … “but you are following in your father’s footsteps.”
Sin must be acknowledged, owned, regretted to produce repentance. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation,
To increase their conviction of sin, Jesus increases His confrontational approach.
“You want to kill me. Abraham would never do this. You do the deeds of your father”
Defensively the listeners quickly change from claiming Abraham as their father, to claiming God to be their father.
Jesus challenges them on the basis of their visible fruit (actions) just as He did when they were claiming to be children of Abraham. 42 – 47
Opposition from ‘the Jews’. 48
Jesus answers each objection of the Jews but does it in such a way that their anger is incensed. 49-58
Jesus makes ‘an ultimate’ claim which causes ‘the Jews’ to lose all caution or concern of breaking Roman law. 59.
Jesus, The “I AM” See Verse 24
What did this ‘ultimate claim’ mean to the Jews? Ex 3:14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’"