John 8:1-59, NLT
John 8
A Woman Caught in Adultery
1Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives,
4“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
6They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.
9When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.
11“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Jesus, the Light of the World
12Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
13The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”
14Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me.
19“Where is your father?” they asked.
Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”
The Unbelieving People Warned
21Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”
22The people*8:22 Greek Jewish people; also in 8:31, 48, 52, 57. asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”
23Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.
25“Who are you?” they demanded.
Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be.*8:25 Or Why do I speak to you at all?
28So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he.*8:28 Greek When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.
Jesus and Abraham
31Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
33“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
34Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
39“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.*8:39 Some manuscripts read if you are really the children of Abraham, follow his example.
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
42Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.
48The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”
49“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me.
52The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’
54Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’*8:54 Some manuscripts read You say he is your God.
57The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?*8:57 Some manuscripts read How can you say Abraham has seen you?”
58Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!*8:58 Or before Abraham was even born, I have always been alive; Greek reads before Abraham was, I am. See Exod 3:14.”