*John 8:21-59
Jesus engages in a dialogue with the Jewish leaders, addressing their skepticism about his identity and authority.
- Jesus Predicts His Departure:
- Jesus tells the Pharisees that He is going away, and they will look for Him but die in their sin.
- He says that where He goes, they cannot come.
- The Jews misunderstand, thinking He might kill Himself.
- Jesus’ Origin and Identity:
- Jesus emphasizes that they are from below, and He is from above; they are of this world, and He is not.
- He tells them they will die in their sins unless they believe He is who He claims to be.
- When asked who He is, Jesus refers to Himself as “I am,” linking to the divine name.
- Teaching on the Father:
- Jesus speaks about His relationship with the Father:
- He only does what the Father has taught Him.
- The one who sent Him is with Him and has not left Him alone because He always does what pleases the Father.
- Many believe in Him as He speaks these things.
- Jesus speaks about His relationship with the Father:
- Dispute Over Spiritual Freedom:
- Jesus addresses those who believed in Him, saying if they hold to His teaching, they are truly His disciples and will know the truth, which will set them free.
- The Jews argue they are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves, questioning how they can be set free.
- Jesus explains that everyone who sins is a slave to sin, but the Son can set them free, granting true freedom.
- Children of Abraham and the Devil:
- Jesus acknowledges their physical descent from Abraham but questions their actions:
- They seek to kill Him, showing they do not have room for His word.
- He speaks what He has seen in the Father’s presence, while they do what they have heard from their father.
- When they claim Abraham as their father, Jesus says if they were truly Abraham’s children, they would do what Abraham did.
- Jesus asserts their real father is the devil, as they carry out his desires, revealing their true nature.
- Jesus acknowledges their physical descent from Abraham but questions their actions:
- Jesus’ Divine Authority:
- Jesus asks why they cannot understand His language, attributing it to their inability to hear what He says.
- He contrasts Himself with the devil, who is a murderer and the father of lies.
- Jesus declares that because He tells the truth, they do not believe Him.
- Accusations and Rebuttals:
- The Jews accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan and demon-possessed.
- Jesus denies having a demon and emphasizes His honor of the Father and their dishonor of Him.
- He states that anyone who keeps His word will never see death.
- Jesus and Abraham:
- The Jews are puzzled, noting Abraham and the prophets died, yet Jesus says His followers will never taste death.
- They question if He is greater than Abraham and the prophets.
- Jesus replies that if He glorifies Himself, it means nothing; His Father glorifies Him.
- Jesus claims to know the Father, unlike them, and asserts that Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing His day.
- Declaration of Jesus’ Pre-existence:
- The Jews question how Jesus could have seen Abraham, given His age.
- Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am!”
- The Jews pick up stones to stone Him, but Jesus slips away from the temple grounds, avoiding their attempt on His life.
8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 8:47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil.
Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.