John's Gospel Chapter 8: Summary

Introduction

Verse one belongs to the previous chapter (Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives ).

There has been much debate on the authenticity of some of chapter 8. Those with problems with it appear to be enemies of God: such men also usually want to remove other important parts of Scripture! Nevertheless the passage needs to be interpreted with care especially 8:1-11.

Divisions of Chapter 8

•  1-12 Jesus demonstrates that he came to save not condemn ( katakrino) i.e. He did not come to execute judgement.

•  13-18 Jesus defends His self witness

•  19, 20 Jesus answers question, "Where is your father?"

•  21-30 Jesus tells of His departure

•  21-36 The outcome of Truth

•  37-58 The natural man is shown to be wicked, i.e. of the world

•  59 The Jews seek to kill Jesus

The Light of the World revealed (1-11)

Note: God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:18 (NKJV)

Did the woman commit adultery?

Yes - apparently so as there were witnesses.

Matthew 18: 15-17 deals with witnesses as does the law (Torah eg Deuteronomy 17, 19 and example in 30:19 etc).

Was it right for her to be accused?

Yes, sin has to be identified. A Christian must be able to discern good from evil, to judge right from wrong, see Hebrews 5:14 and 1 Corinthians 2:15

But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15

•  Sin in the Church - see 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

•  Disputes in the church - see 1 Corinthians 6:2-6

•  The instrument we use is Scripture: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV). See also Eph 6:10-20

What was the response under the law?

Sin has to be punished - by stoning in this case (See Deuteronomy 5:15, 22:22-29).

What was Jesus demonstrating?

•  Under the law, judgement had to be executed.

•  Everyone deserves death - hence the judges including the Pharisees, who were under the Law deserved death, and therefore had no place at the judgement seat - they "walked in darkness" see verse 12. This is expanded in Romans 2.

•  All have sinned and furthermore without the shedding of blood there is no remission!

But Jesus the Christ was to bring grace (light) into the world.

•  Grace still means sin has to be punished. Christ was punished in the believer's place[2], and we are saved if we repent and accept Him as our saviour.

•  Hence Christ showed that not only could man not keep the law, but the execution of the law in terms of judgement ( krino ) belonged to God only. Salvation hence is by grace alone, Eph 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

•  John displayed Jesus as the Christ who came to save and not condemn.

•  Condemnation takes place at the great day of Judgement see Rev 20 - call the second death.

•  All who have rejected Christ will be condemned - and thrown into hell, which was prepared for Satan and his angels.

•  Hell is everlasting punishment

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting (eternal JND:NT) punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.