MOUNT OF OLIVES - The mountain about a mile directly east of Jerusalem. See the notes at Matthew 21:1. This was the place in which he probably often passed the night when attending the feasts at Jerusalem. The Garden of Gethsemane, to which he was accustomed to resort John 18:2, was on the western s... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES IN THE LAW ... - The punishment of adultery commanded by Moses was death, Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22. The particular manner of the death was not specified in the law. The Jews had themselves, in the time of Christ, determined that it should be by stoning. See this described in the note... [ Continue Reading ]
TEMPTING HIM - Trying him, or laying a plan that they might have occasion to accuse him. If he decided the case, they expected to be able to bring an accusation against him; for if he decided that she ought to die, they might accuse him of claiming power which belonged to the Romans - the power of l... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY CONTINUED ASKING HIM - They pressed the question upon him. They were determined to extort an answer from him, and showed a perseverance in evil which has been unhappily often imitated. IS WITHOUT SIN - That is, without this particular sin; he who has not himself been guilty of this very crime... [ Continue Reading ]
BEGINNING AT THE ELDEST - As being conscious of more sins, and, therefore, being desirous to leave the Lord Jesus. The word “eldest” here probably refers not to age, but to benefit - from those who were in highest reputation to the lowest in rank. This consciousness of crime showed that the state of... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH NO MAN CONDEMNED THEE? - Jesus had directed them, if innocent, to cast a stone, thus to condemn her, or to use the power which he gave them to condemn her. No one of them had done that. They had accused her, but they had not proceeded to the act expressive of judicial condemnation.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE - This is evidently to be taken in the sense of judicial condemnation, or of passing sentence as a magistrate, for this was what they had arraigned her for. It was not to obtain his opinion about adultery, but to obtain the condemnation of the woman. As he claimed no civil... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD - See the notes at John 1:4, John 1:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU BEAREST RECORD OF THYSELF - Thou art a witness for thyself, or in thy own case. See John 5:31. The law required two witnesses in a criminal case, and they alleged that as the only evidence which Jesus had was his own assertion, it could not be entitled to belief. IS NOT TRUE - Is not worthy of... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS ANSWERED ... - To this objection Jesus replied by saying, first, that the case was such that his testimony alone ought to be received; and, secondly, that he had the evidence given him by his Father. Though, in common life, in courts, and in mere human transactions, it was true that a man ough... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE FLESH - According to appearance; according to your carnal and corrupt mode; not according to the spiritual nature of the doctrines. By your preconceived opinions and prejudices you are determined not to believe that I am the Messiah. I JUDGE NO MAN - Jesus came not to condemn the world, J... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YET, IF I JUDGE - If I should express my judgment of men or things. He was not limited, nor forbidden to do it, nor restrained by any fear that his judgment would be erroneous. MY JUDGMENT IS TRUE - Is worthy to be regarded. FOR I AM NOT ALONE - I concur with the Father who hath sent me. His j... [ Continue Reading ]
IN YOUR LAW - Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15. Compare Matthew 18:16. This related to cases in which the life of an individual was involved. Jesus says that if, in such a case, the testimony of two men were sufficient to establish a fact, his own testimony and that of his Father ought to be este... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM ONE THAT BEAR WITNESS OF MYSELF - In human courts a man is not allowed to bear witness of himself, because he has a personal interest in the case, and the court could have no proof of the impartiality of the evidence; but in the case of Jesus it was otherwise. When one has no party ends to serv... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE IS THY FATHER? - This question was asked, doubtless, in derision. Jesus had often given them to understand that by his Father he meant God, John 5:6; They professed to be ignorant of this, and probably looked round in contempt for his Father, that he might adduce him as a witness in the case.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TREASURY - See the notes at Matthew 21:12. HIS HOUR WAS NOT YET COME - The time for him to die had not yet arrived, and God restrained them, and kept his life. This proves that God has power over wicked men to control them, and to make them accomplish his own purposes.... [ Continue Reading ]
I GO MY WAY - See the notes at John 7:33. YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS - That is, you will seek the Messiah; you will desire his coming, but the Messiah that you expect will not come; and, as you have rejected me, and there is no other Saviour, you must die in your sins. You will die unpardoned, and a... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL HE KILL HIMSELF? - It is difficult to know whether this question was asked from ignorance or malice. Self-murder was esteemed then, as it is now, as one of the greatest crimes; and it is not improbable that they asked this question with mingled hatred and contempt. “He is a deceiver; he has bro... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE FROM BENEATH - The expression from bequeath, here, is opposed to the phrase from above. It means, You are of the earth, or are influenced by earthly, sensual, and corrupt passions. You are governed by the lowest and vilest views and feelings, such as are opposed to heaven, and such as have th... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I AM HE - That I am the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ART THOU? - As Jesus did not expressly say in the previous verse that he was the Messiah, they professed still not to understand him. In great contempt, therefore, they asked him who he was. As if they had said, “Who art thou that undertakest to threaten us in this manner!” When we remember that... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY - There are many things which I might say to reprove and expose your pride and hypocrisy. By this he implied that he understood well their character, and that he was able to expose it. This, indeed, he had shown them in his conversations with them. AND TO JUDGE OF YOU - To... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY UNDERSTOOD NOT - They knew not, or they were unwilling to receive him as a messenger from God. They doubtless understood that he meant to speak of God, but they were unwilling to acknowledge that he really came from God.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN YE HAVE LIFTED UP - When you have crucified. See John 3:14 note; also John 12:32 note. THE SON OF MAN - See the notes at Matthew 8:19. THEN SHALL YE KNOW - Then shall you have evidence or proof. THAT I AM HE - Am the Messiah, which I have professed to be. AND THAT I DO NOTHING OF MYSELF - Th... [ Continue Reading ]
IS WITH ME - In working miracles, etc. HATH NOT LEFT ME ALONE - Though men had forsaken and rejected him, yet God attended him. THOSE THINGS THAT PLEASE HIM - See Matthew 3:17; “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Philippians 2:8; Isaiah 53:10; 2 Peter 1:17; Luke 3:22; Matthew 17:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY BELIEVED ON HIM - Such was the convincing nature and force of the truths which he presented, that they believed he was the Messiah and received his doctrine. While there were many that became more obstinate and hardened under his preaching, there were many, also, who by the same truth were made... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD - If you continue to obey my commandments and to receive my doctrines. THEN ARE YE ... - This is the true test of Christian character. John 14:21; “he that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” See John 2:4; Joh 3:24; 2 John 1:6. In this place Jes... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH - See the notes at John 7:17. THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE - The truth here means the Christian religion. Compare Galatians 3:1; Colossians 1:6. The doctrines of the true religion shall make you free - that is, it will free you from the slavery of evil passions, corrupt propens... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ANSWERED HIM - Not those who believed on him, but some who stood by and heard him. WE BE ABRAHAM’S SEED - We are the children or descendants of Abraham. Abraham was not a slave, and they pretended that they were his real descendants, inheriting his freedom as well as his spirit. They meant tha... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER COMMITTETH SIN ... - In this passage Jesus shows them that he did not refer to political bondage, but to the slavery of the soul to evil passions and desires. IS THE SERVANT - Is the slave of sin. He is bound to it as a slave is to his master.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SERVANT ABIDETH NOT ... - The servant does not, of course, remain forever, or until his death. with his master. If he is disobedient and wicked, the master sells him or turns him away. He is not the heir, and may at any time be expelled from the house of his master. But a son is the heir. He can... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE SON ... - The Son of God - heir of all things - who is forever with God, and who has therefore the right and power to liberate men from their thraldom. SHALL MAKE YOU FREE - Shall deliver you from the bondage and dominion of sin. FREE INDEED - Truly and really free. You shall be blessed wit... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW ... - I admit that you are the descendants of Abraham. Jesus did not wish to call that in question, but he endeavored to show them that they might be his descendants and still lack entirely his spirit. See the notes at Matthew 3:9. YE SEEK TO KILL ME - John 5:16; John 7:32. BECAUSE MY WORD... [ Continue Reading ]
I SPEAK ... - John 3:11. MY FATHER - God. YOUR FATHER - The devil. See John 8:44. To see here means to learn of. They had learned of or been taught by the devil, and imitated him.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABRAHAM IS OUR FATHER - We are descended from Abraham. Of this the Jews boasted much, as being descended from such an illustrious man. See the notes at Matthew 3:9. As Jesus did not expressly say who he meant John 8:38 when he said they did the works of their father, they obstinately persisted in pr... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SEEK TO KILL ME - See John 8:37. THIS DID NOT ABRAHAM - Or such things Abraham did not do. There are two things noted here in which they differed from Abraham: 1. In seeking to kill him, or in possessing a murderous and bloody purpose. 2. In rejecting the truth as God revealed it. Abraham was d... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEEDS OF YOUR FATHER - See John 8:38. Jesus repeats the charge, and yet repeats it as if unwilling to name Satan as their father. He chose that they should infer whom he meant, rather than bring a charge so direct and repelling. When the Saviour delivered an awful or an offensive truth, he alway... [ Continue Reading ]
IF GOD WERE YOUR FATHER - If you had the spirit of God, or love to him, or were worthy to be called his children. YE WOULD LOVE ME - Jesus was “the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of his person,” Hebrews 1:3. “Everyone that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begot... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY DO YE NOT ... - My meaning is clear, if you were disposed to understand me. EVEN BECAUSE YE CANNOT HEAR MY WORD - The word “hear” in this place is to be understood in the sense of bear or tolerate, as in John 6:60. His doctrine was offensive to them. They hated it, and hence they perverted his m... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL - That is, you have the temper, disposition, or spirit of the devil. You are influenced by him, you imitate him, and ought therefore to be called his children. See also 1 John 3:8; Acts 13:10; “Thou child of the devil.” THE DEVIL - See the notes at Matthew 4:1. THE... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH OF YOU CONVINCETH ME? - To convince, with us, means to satisfy a man’s own mind of the truth of anything; but this is not its meaning here. It rather means to convict. Which of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? OF SIN - The word “sin” here evidently means “error, falsehood, or imposture.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS OF GOD - He that loves, fears, and honors God. HEARETH GOD’S WORDS - Listens to, or attends to the doctrines or commandments of God, as a child who loves his parent will regard and obey his commandments. This is an evidence of true piety. A willingness to receive all that God teaches us... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY WE NOT WELL - Say we not truly. THOU ART A SAMARITAN - This was a term of contempt and reproach. See the notes at John 4:9. It had the force of charging him with being a heretic or a schismatic, because the Samaritans were regarded as such. AND HAST A DEVIL - See John 7:20. This charge they bro... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NOT A DEVIL - To the first part of the charge, that he was a Samaritan, he did not reply. To the other part he replied by saying that he honored his Father. He taught the doctrines that tended to exalt God. He taught that he was holy and true. He sought that men should love him and obey him.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE OWN GLORY - My own praise or honor. In all his teaching this was true. He did not seek to exalt or to vindicate himself. He was willing to lie under reproach and to be despised. He regarded little, therefore, their taunts and accusations; and even now, he says, he would not seek to vindicate hi... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN KEEP MY SAYING - If he believes on me and obeys my commandments. HE SHALL NEVER SEE DEATH - To see death, or to taste of death, is the same as to die, Luke 2:26; Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1. The sense of this passage is, “He shall obtain eternal life, or he shall be raised up to that life where... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST A DEVIL - Art deranged. Because he affirmed a thing which they supposed to be contrary to all experience, and to be impossible.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM MAKEST THOU THYSELF? - Or, who dost thou pretend to be? Although the greatest of the prophets have died, yet thou a Nazarene, a Samaritan, and a devil pretendest that thou canst keep thy followers from dying! It would have been scarcely possible to ask a question implying more contempt and scor... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I HONOUR MYSELF - If I commend or praise myself. If I had no other honor and sought no other honor than that which proceeds from a desire to glorify myself. MY HONOUR IS NOTHING - My commendation or praise of myself would be of no value. See the notes at John 5:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR FATHER ABRAHAM - The testimony of Abraham is adduced by Jesus because the Jews considered it to be a signal honor to be his descendants, John 8:39. As they regarded the sayings and deeds of Abraham as especially illustrious and worthy of their imitation, so they were bound, in consistency, to l... [ Continue Reading ]
FIFTY YEARS OLD - Jesus is supposed to have been at this time about the age of 33. It is remarkable that when he was so young they should have mentioned the number 50, but they probably designed to prevent the possibility of a reply. Had they said 40 they might have apprehended a reply, or could not... [ Continue Reading ]
VERILY, VERILY - This is an expression used only in John. It is a strong affirmation denoting particularly the great importance of what was about to be affirmed. See the notes at John 3:5. BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS - Before Abraham lived. I AM - The expression I am, though in the present tense, is clearly... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TOOK THEY UP STONES - It seems they understood him as blaspheming, and proceeded, even without a form of trial, to stone him as such, because this was the punishment prescribed in the law for blasphemy, Leviticus 24:16. See John 10:31. The fact that the Jews understood him in this sense is stro... [ Continue Reading ]