Lesson 10: The Light Of The World (John 8.1-30)

Opening Questions:

1. What do we learn about Jesus’ purpose in vss. 1-11?
2. What do we learn about Jesus’ relationship with the Father?
3. What questions do you have from the text?

Jesus Came To Save, Not Condemn (vss. 1-11)

Because vss. 1-11 are not found in many of the ancient manuscripts, several translations do not include them or place them in brackets. While there is some uncertainty on whether they should be included or not, we will treat them as canonical. As we will see, this episode in the ministry of Jesus reinforces a truth He proclaimed earlier: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17, ESV)

That the scribes and Pharisees acted out of insincerity is clearly shown by the fact that only the woman is brought to Jesus. If she were “caught in the act of adultery” then a man was also caught, but he was not apprehended. Their aim was likely to cause further divide public opinion over Jesus (see John 7.25-27,40-44) or cause Jesus to run afoul of the Roman authorities who reserved the right to mete out capital punishment.

There is no question that the Law declared that those found guilty of adultery (both man and woman) were to be stoned (see Leviticus 20.10; Deuteronomy 22.22). But Jesus’ response in vs. 7 also pointed to the Law: those who witnessed the transgression were to cast the first stone (see Deuteronomy 17.7; Leviticus 24.14). A plausible interpretation of “without sin” is that Jesus was speaking of sexual sin, the very sin the woman was guilty of. In this case, Jesus was pointing out their hypocrisy in the area of sexual sin. After all, where was the guilty man?

Jesus’ final words to the woman are significant. Jesus did not condemn her, not because He condoned her actions or that He would never render judgment. Rather, it points to Jesus’ purpose in coming into the world; He came to save, not condemn (see John 3.17). Furthermore, Jesus had the power on earth to forgive sin (Matthew 9.1-8) which He exercised in this case. But Jesus said more: “go, and from now on sin no more.” Those who’ve experienced forgiveness honor that gift with changed lives!

The Light Of The World (vss. 12-30)

The key to understanding Jesus’ words in this passage are to remember that they were given in the setting of the Feast of Booths (see John 7.2,37). “‘He who has not seen the joy of the place of water-drawing has never in his life seen joy’: this extravagant claim stands just before the description of the lighting of the four huge lamps in the temple’s court of women and of the exuberant celebration that took place under their light (Mishnah Sukkah 5:1–4). ‘Men of piety and good works’ danced through the night, holding burning torches in their hands and singing songs and praises. The Levitical orchestras cut loose, and some sources attest that this went on every night of the Feast of Tabernacles, with the light from the temple area shedding its glow all over Jerusalem” (Carson). Throughout the Old Testament God was associated with light (see Psalm 27.1; Proverbs 6.23; Habakuk 3.3-4; etc.), but during the Feast of Booths the people would have been reminded of God leading the people in a pillar of fire (Exodus 13.21-22). It was against this backdrop that Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8.12).

Jesus’ main point in vss. 12-20 is the unity He shares with the Father.

• Jesus’ testimony was true because of where He came from and where He would return (vs. 14).
• His judgment was true because He judged with the Father (vs. 16).
• Jesus bore witness about Himself, but the Father also bore witness about His Son (vs. 18).

By contrast, the Pharisees judged “according to the flesh” (vs. 15). In other words, while they saw Jesus in the flesh they were failing to comprehend the greater truth that He is the Word made flesh (John 1.14). Note: Jesus’ statement that “I judge no one” (vs. 15) is not to be taken in the absolute sense (vs. 16), rather He did not judge as they judged. “* He was guided by the Father and did not judge by carnal and worldly motives like they did, i.e “according to the flesh” (cf. Jn. 7:24)” (Harkrider). And because the Pharisees judged by the flesh, they failed to comprehend both Jesus AND His Father (vs. 19).

Jesus’ elaborated further on His connection to the Father in vss. 21-30:

• Jesus was going away, back to the Father, because He was from above (vss. 21,23).
• Jesus declares what He heard from the Father (vs. 26).
• Jesus acted according to the Father’s authority and “always do the things that are pleasing to him” (vss. 28-29).

By contrast, because the Jews failed to believe in Jesus they would not be able to go where Jesus was going because while He was from above, they were from below (vss. 22-23). Rather than follow Jesus, they would die in their sins (vs. 27).

Particular attention needs to be given to Jesus’ statement in vs. 28: “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 authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” Jesus’ had already spoken of His being lifted up (John 3.14) and now states this event (the crucifixion and exaltation) would be what allows them to “know that I am he”. Earlier in vs. 24 Jesus had stated that “unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” Jesus’ opponents did not yet comprehend (they would in vss. 58-59) that Jesus is claiming to be God, for “I am he” was a self-designation of the Lord in Isaiah 41.4;43.10,13,25; 46.4; 48.12; etc. The crucifixion and exaltation of Jesus, His being lifted up by means of the cross to return to the Father, would prove once and for all that “I am he”.

Vs. 30 states that “many believed in him”, but this faith was not genuine. Many had believed in Jesus’ because of His signs (John 2.23-25), but when His teachings became too difficult they turned away (John 6.66). As we will see in our next lesson, those who believed in Jesus on this occasion would not be true disciples, for they would not abide in His word.

Textual Notes:

• Vs. 1: the Mount of Olives lay east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley.
• Vs. 13: note John 5.31. As Jesus’ shows in vss. 17-18, His testimony is true because the Father also testifies with Him.
• Vs. 16: while Jesus came to save and not condemn (John 3.17), all judgment has been given to Him (John 5.27).
• Vs. 17: Deuteronomy 17.6; 19.15.
• Vs. 20: “The Treasury was in the Court of the Women, so called, not because it was appropriated to the worship of women exclusively, but because they were not allowed to proceed further, except for sacrificial purposes. The court covered a space upwards of two hundred feet square, and was surrounded by a colonnade, within which, and against the wall, were the thirteen trumpet-shaped chests, called “trumpets” from their shape, for charitable contributions. This court was the most public part of the temple.” (Vincent)
• Vs. 24: note that “sin” is singular in vs. 21, but plural in vs. 24. The great “sin” of unbelief means one would die guilty of all their “sins”.
• Vs. 29: see John 4.34; 5.30; 6.38.