2Verse 2. Early in the morning He went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them.
3Verse 3. The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them
4Verse 4. and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
5Verse 5. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”
6Verse 6. They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.
7Verse 7. When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”
8Verse 8. And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.
9Verse 9. When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.
10Verse 10. Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
11Verse 11. “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”
12Verse 12. Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
13Verse 13. So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.”
14Verse 14. Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.
15Verse 15. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
16Verse 16. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me.
17Verse 17. Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
18Verse 18. I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me.”
19Verse 19. “Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.”
20Verse 20. He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.
21Verse 21. Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
22Verse 22. So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”
23Verse 23. Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
24Verse 24. That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
25Verse 25. “Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied.
26Verse 26. “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”
27Verse 27. They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.
28Verse 28. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.
29Verse 29. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
30Verse 30. As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him.
31Verse 31. So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
32Verse 32. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33Verse 33. “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”
34Verse 34. Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
35Verse 35. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
36Verse 36. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
37Verse 37. I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.
38Verse 38. I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
39Verse 39. “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham.
40Verse 40. But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.
41Verse 41. You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”
42Verse 42. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.
43Verse 43. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.
44Verse 44. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
45Verse 45. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
46Verse 46. Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?
47Verse 47. Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
48Verse 48. The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?”
49Verse 49. “I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
50Verse 50. I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge.
51Verse 51. Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”
52Verse 52. “Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.
53Verse 53. Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”
54Verse 54. Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’
55Verse 55. You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word.
56Verse 56. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”
57Verse 57. Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?”
58Verse 58. “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
59Verse 59. At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.