1 Iesus went vnto þe Mount of Oliues:
2 And earely in the morning hee came againe into the Temple, and all the people came vnto him, and he sate downe, and taught them.
3 And the Scribes and Pharisees brought vnto him a woman taken in adultery, and when they had set her in the mids,
4 They say vnto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the Law commanded vs, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might haue to accuse him. But Iesus stouped downe, and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, hee lift vp himselfe, and saide vnto them, Hee that is without sinne among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And againe, hee stouped downe, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being conuicted by their owne conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, euen vnto the last: and Iesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Iesus had lift vp himselfe, and saw none but the woman, hee said vnto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?
11 She saide, No man, Lord. And Iesus saide vnto her, Neither doe I condemne thee: Goe, and sinne no more.
12 ¶ Then spake Iesus againe vnto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth mee, shall not walke in darkenesse, but shall haue the light of life.
13 The Pharisees therefore said vnto him, Thou bearest record of thy selfe, thy record is not true.
14 Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Though I beare record of my selfe, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I goe: but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I goe.
15 Yee iudge after the flesh, I iudge no man.
16 And yet if I iudge, my iudgement is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17 It is also written in your Law, that the testimonie of two men is true.
18 I am one that beare witnesse of my selfe, and the Father that sent mee, beareth witnesse of me.
19 Then said they vnto him, Where is thy Father? Iesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had knowen mee, yee should haue knowen my Father also.
20 These words spake Iesus in the treasury, as hee taught in the Temple: and no man layd hands on him, for his houre was not yet come.
21 Then saide Iesus againe vnto them, I goe my way, and ye shall seeke me, & shall die in your sinnes: Whither I goe, ye cannot come.
22 Then said the Iewes, Will hee kill himselfe? because he saith, Whither I goe, ye cannot come.
23 And hee said vnto them, Yee are from beneath, I am from aboue: Yee are of this world, I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore vnto you, that ye shall die in your sinnes. For if yee beleeue not that I am hee, yee shall die in your sinnes.
25 Then said they vnto him, Who art thou? And Iesus saith vnto them, Euen the same that I saide vnto you from the beginning.
26 I haue many things to say, and to iudge of you: But hee that sent mee is true, and I speake to the world, those things which I haue heard of him.
27 They vnderstood not that hee spake to them of the Father.
28 Then saide Iesus vnto them, When yee haue lift vp the Sonne of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I doe nothing of my selfe: but as my Father hath taught mee, I speake these things.
29 And he that sent me, is with me: the Father hath not left mee alone: for I doe alwayes those things that please him.
30 As hee spake those words, many beleeued on him.
31 Then said Iesus to those Iewes which beleeued on him, If ye continue in my word, then are yee my disciples indeed.
32 And ye shall know the Trueth, and the Trueth shall make you free.
33 ¶ They answered him, We be Abraham seed, and were neuer in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Yee shall be made free?
34 Iesus answered them, Uerily, verily I say vnto you, Whosoeuer committeth sinne, is the seruant of sinne.
35 And the seruant abideth not in the house for euer: but the Sonne abideth euer.
36 If the Sonne therfore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37 I know that yee are Abrahams seed, but ye seeke to kill mee, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speake that which I haue seene with my Father: and ye do that which ye haue seene with your father.
39 They answered, and said vnto him, Abraham is our father. Iesus sayth vnto them, If yee were Abrahams children, ye would doe the works of Abraham.
40 But now yee seeke to kill me, a man that hath tolde you the trueth, which I haue heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye doe the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not borne of fornication, wee haue one Father, euen God.
42 Iesus said vnto them, If God were your Father, yee would loue me, for I proceeded foorth, and came from God: neither came I of my selfe, but he sent me.
43 Why doe yee not vnderstand my speech? euen because yee cannot heare my word.
44 Ye are of your father the deuill, and the lusts of your father ye will doe: hee was a murtherer from the beginning, and abode not in the trueth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his owne: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye beleeue me not.
46 Which of you conuinceth mee of sinne? And if I say the trueth, why doe ye not beleeue me?
47 He that is of God, heareth Gods words: ye therefore heare them not, because ye are not of God.
48 Then answered the Iewes, and said vnto him, Say wee not well that thou art a Samaritane, & hast a deuill?
49 Iesus answered, I haue not a deuill: but I honour my Father, and ye doe dishonour me.
50 And I seeke not mine owne glory, there is one that seeketh & iudgeth.
51 Uerely, verely I say vnto you, If a man keepe my saying, hee shall neuer see death.
52 Then said the Iewes vnto him, Now we know that thou hast a deuill. Abraham is dead, and the Prophets: and thou sayest, If a man keepe my saying, he shall neuer taste of death.
53 Art thou greater then our father Abraham, which is dead? and the Prophets are dead: whom makest thou thy selfe?
54 Iesus answered, If I honour myselfe, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me, of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55 Yet ye haue not knowen him, but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shalbe a lyar like vnto you: but I know him, and keepe his saying.
56 Your father Abraham reioyced to see my day: and he saw it, & was glad.
57 Then said the Iewes vnto him, Thou art not yet fiftie yeeres olde, and hast thou seene Abraham?
58 Iesus said vnto them, Uerely, verely I say vnto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then tooke they vp stones to cast at him: but Iesus hidde himselfe, and went out of the Temple, going thorow the midst of them, and so passed by.
The Pharisees and the adulteress. (1-11) Christ's discourse with the Pharisees. (12-59)1-11 Christ neither found fault with the law, nor excused the prisoner's guilt; nor did he countenance the pretended zeal of the Pharisees. Those are self-condemned who judge others, and yet do the same thing. All who are any way called to blame the faults of others, are especially concerned to look to themselves, and keep themselves pure. In this matter Christ attended to the great work about which he came into the world, that was, to bring sinners to repentance; not to destroy, but to save. He aimed to bring, not only the accused to repentance, by showing her his mercy, but the prosecutors also, by showing them their sins; they thought to insnare him, he sought to convince and convert them. He declined to meddle with the magistrate's office. Many crimes merit far more severe punishment than they meet with; but we should not leave our own work, to take that upon ourselves to which we are not called. When Christ sent her away, it was with this caution, Go, and sin no more. Those who help to save the life of a criminal, should help to save the soul with the same caution. Those are truly happy, whom Christ does not condemn. Christ's favour to us in the forgiveness of past sins should prevail with us, Go then, and sin no more.
12-16 Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more. What a dark dungeon would the world be without the sun! So would it be without Jesus, by whom light came into the world. Those who follow Christ shall not walk in darkness. They shall not be left without the truths which are necessary to keep them from destroying error, and the directions in the way of duty, necessary to keep them from condemning sin.
17-20 If we knew Christ better, we should know the Father better. Those become vain in their imaginations concerning God, who will not learn of Christ. Those who know not his glory and grace, know not the Father that sent him. The time of our departure out of the world, depends upon God. Our enemies cannot hasten it any sooner, nor can our friends delay it any longer, than the time appointed of the Father. Every true believer can look up and say with pleasure, My times are in thy hand, and better there than in my own. To all God's purposes there is a time.
21-29 Those that live in unbelief, are for ever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine nature, so that his doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ's grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ's grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honours to himself.
30-36 Such power attended our Lord's words, that many were convinced, and professed to believe in him. He encouraged them to attend his teaching, rely on his promises, and obey his commands, notwithstanding all temptations to evil. Thus doing, they would be his disciples truly; and by the teaching of his word and Spirit, they would learn where their hope and strength lay. Christ spoke of spiritual liberty; but carnal hearts feel no other grievances than those that molest the body, and distress their worldly affairs. Talk to them of their liberty and property, tell them of waste committed upon their lands, or damage done to their houses, and they understand you very well; but speak of the bondage of sin, captivity to Satan, and liberty by Christ; tell of wrong done to their precious souls, and the hazard of their eternal welfare, then you bring strange things to their ears. Jesus plainly reminded them, that the man who practised any sin, was, in fact, a slave to that sin, which was the case with most of them. Christ in the gospel offers us freedom, he has power to do this, and those whom Christ makes free are really so. But often we see persons disputing about liberty of every kind, while they are slaves to some sinful lust.
37-40 Our Lord opposed the proud and vain confidence of these Jews, showing that their descent from Abraham could not profit those of a contrary spirit to him. Where the word of God has no place, no good is to be expected; room is left there for all wickedness. A sick person who turns from his physician, and will take neither remedies nor food, is past hope of recovery. The truth both heals and nourishes the hearts of those who receive it. The truth taught by philosophers has not this power and effect, but only the truth of God. Those who claim the privileges of Abraham, must do Abraham's works; must be strangers and sojourners in this world; keep up the worship of God in their families, and always walk before God.
41-47 Satan prompts men to excesses by which they murder themselves and others, while what he puts into the mind tends to ruin men's souls. He is the great promoter of falsehood of every kind. He is a liar, all his temptations are carried on by his calling evil good, and good evil, and promising freedom in sin. He is the author of all lies; whom liars resemble and obey, with whom all liars shall have their portion for ever. The special lusts of the devil are spiritual wickedness, the lusts of the mind, and corrupt reasonings, pride and envy, wrath and malice, enmity to good, and enticing others to evil. By the truth, here understand the revealed will of God as to the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, the truth Christ was now preaching, and which the Jews opposed.
48-53 Observe Christ's disregard of the applause of men. those who are dead to the praises of men can bear their contempt. God will seek the honour of all who do not seek their own. In these verses we have the doctrine of the everlasting happiness of believers. We have the character of a believer; he is one that keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus. And the privilege of a believer; he shall by no means see death for ever. Though now they cannot avoid seeing death, and tasting it also, yet they shall shortly be where it will be no more forever, #Ex 14:13|.
54-59 Christ and all that are his, depend upon God for honour. Men may be able to dispute about God, yet may not know him. Such as know not God, and obey not the gospel of Christ, are put together, #2Th 1:8|. All who rightly know anything of Christ, earnestly desire to know more of him. Those who discern the dawn of the light of the Sun of Righteousness, wish to see his rising. "Before Abraham was, I AM." This speaks Abraham a creature, and our Lord the Creator; well, therefore, might he make himself greater than Abraham. I AM, is the name of God, #Ex 3:14|; it speaks his self-existence; he is the First and the Last, ever the same, #Re 1:8|. Thus he was not only before Abraham, but before all worlds, #Pr 8:23; Joh 1:1|. As Mediator, he was the appointed Messiah, long before Abraham; the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, #Re 13:8|. The Lord Jesus was made of God Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, to Adam, and Abel, and all that lived and died by faith in him, before Abraham. The Jews were about to stone Jesus for blasphemy, but he withdrew; by his miraculous power he passed through them unhurt. Let us stedfastly profess what we know and believe concerning God; and if heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall rejoice in looking forward to that day when the Saviour shall appear in glory, to the confusion of his enemies, and to complete the salvation of all who believe in him.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.