John 8

1 [But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [a] 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to him; and he sat down and was teaching them. 3 And the scribes and the Pharisees bring to him a woman caught in adultery, and standing her in the middle, 4 they say to him, testing him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. 5 And in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

6 They were saying this to test him, so that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down and was writing on the ground with his finger, as though he did not hear. [b] 7 But as they kept on asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And again he stooped down and was writing on the ground. 9 But when they heard, and were convicted by their conscience, they went out one by one, beginning from the elders; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman was there in the middle.

10 And Jesus straightened up, and seeing no one but the woman, said to her, “Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 And she said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”]

12 So Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And even if I do judge, my judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 And in your own law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. [c] 18 I am the one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.” 19 So they were saying to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words in the treasury, teaching in the temple; and no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews were saying, “Surely he will not kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?” 23 And he was saying to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are from this world; I am not from this world. 24 So I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you trust that I am, you will die in your sins.” [d]

25 So they were saying to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Why do I speak to you at all? [e] 26 I have much to say about you and to judge. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him, these things I speak to the world.” 27 They did not know that he was speaking to them of the Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and that I do nothing from myself, but I speak these things just as the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many trusted in him.

31 So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had trusted him, “If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed and have never been anyone’s slaves. How do you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I tell you that everyone who does sin is a slave of sin. 35 And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will really be free.

37 I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you are looking to kill me, because my word has no room in you. 38 What I have seen with the Father I speak; so you also do what you heard from the Father.” 39 They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus says to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. [f] 40 But now you are looking to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth I heard from God. This Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.” [g]

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father you would love me, for I came out from God and am here; for I have not come from myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot listen to my word. 44 You are from your father the Accuser, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks the lie he speaks from what is his own, because he is a liar and the father of it. [h] † 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not trust me. 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not trust me? 47 The one who is from God listens to the words of God. This is why you do not listen: because you are not from God.”

48 The Jews answered and said to him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 But I do not seek my own glory. There is one who seeks it, and judges. 51 Amen, amen, I tell you, if anyone keeps my word he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets, and you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died. Who are you making yourself out to be?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God; 55 and you have not known him, but I know him. And if I said that I do not know him, I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and I keep his word. 56 Abraham your father was glad that he would see my day, and he saw it and rejoiced.” † 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I tell you, before Abraham came to be, I am.” [i] 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple. [j]