John 8 … God or Religion?

8 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

² And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down and taught them.

³ And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

⁴ They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

⁵ Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

First of all, Moses did not command them to do anything! Moses recorded the commandments of YHVH!

Leviticus 20:1 states “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,” so when we read 20:10 “And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”

This is directly from YHVH. The first question about this verse should be…. Where is the man? If she, actually had been caught in the very act, they would have the man present to be punished as well. This was obviously a ruse created to get Jesus to break Torah.

⁶ This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

⁷ So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

⁸ And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

• Much speculation has been given to the topic or content of this action. Some have said this is all the sins of the men that were accusing the woman. I wonder if it was the scripture above?

⁹ And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

¹⁰ When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

¹¹ She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

The definition of sin is paramount; understanding it, both here and in your own walk.

G264 ἀμαρτάνω amartano (a-mar-ta’-nō) v. to morally fail (through action or inaction, through contemplation or deed). to fail to play or compete within the rules.

Leviticus 26:46 “These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the Lord made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.”

Exodus 12:49 “One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger (converts) that sojourneth among you.”

Leviticus 24:22 “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God.”

And the 3^rd time should be the charm… Numbers 15:16 “One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.”

If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, if you say you belong to God, and you are a non-Hebrew, you are then a sojourner.

1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” ]

¹² Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light* of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Time for some deep discovery…

* G5457 φῶς phos (fōs’) n. luminousness. (from an obsolete phao “to shine or make manifest” (especially by rays). This is a compound word G5316 φαίνω phaino (fai’-nō) v. to be apparent. & G5346 φημί phemi (fee-miy) v. to disclose or reveal one’s thoughts (as bringing them to light).

What we must conclude here is that Jesus making it very very obvious that the Torah is the subject of His ministry. The Torah is YHVH/Jesus’ manifesto for mankind. Jesus is bringing this to light both in the spiritual and the physical.

Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

¹³ The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. [Could be one of the dumbest accusations they could have made.]

¹⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

¹⁵ Ye judge* after the flesh**; I judge no man.

1. G2919 κρίνω krino (kriy’-nō) v. to distinguish, to decide (mentally or judicially)
2. G4561 σάρξ sarx (sarx’) n. human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions) The Pharisees were placing blame based on their own determination of innocence or guilt. Jesus is telling them that He has no need for that type of behavior, here is why.

• Deuteronomy 31:26 “Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.”
• Proverbs 14:25 “A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.”
• Hebrews 10:28-29 “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

¹⁶ And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. {Consistency is the outcome….both are saying the same thing!}

¹⁷ It is also written in your* law, that the testimony of two men is true.

Is Jesus referring to the Torah or the Talmud… * G5212 ὑμέτερος humeteros (hï-me’-te-ros) p:s. yours, i.e. pertaining to you… they copied the ones they liked from Torah and made them into a civic form of governance. The Torah has this provision…

Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

¹⁸ I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

• Isaiah 55:4 “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.”

¹⁹ Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

• John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”

²⁰ These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

²¹ Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

• 1 Corinthians 15:50 “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”

²² Then said the Jews (Pharisees), Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

²³ And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

²⁴ I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

²⁵ Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. {He means THE beginning!}

²⁶ I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

• John 7:16 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”
• Proverbs 4:2 “For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.”

²⁷ They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

²⁸ Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up* the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

*G5312 ὑψόω hupsoo (hï-pso’-ō) v. to elevate. {literally or figuratively} Jesus is telling them once they have crucified him then they will know….because he will defeat death!

²⁹ And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

³⁰ As he spake these words, many believed on him.

³¹ Then said Jesus to those Jews (Israelites) which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

• 1 John 2:3 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
• 1 John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.”]

³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

³³ They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth* sin is the servant of sin.

• G4160 ποιέω poieo (poi-ye’-ō) v. to make or do. abide + agree. to execute, accomplish, etc.

³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

³⁷ I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

³⁸ I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

³⁹ They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works* of Abraham.

*G2041 ἔργον ergon (er’-ğon) n. work (as an effort or occupation). (by implication) an act. What was it then that Abraham did? Genesis 26:5 “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” The Pharisees had injected their own man-made ideas and perverted the position which God had placed them. They were the Joel Osteen, Jim Bakker, and Kenneth Copeland’s of the 1^st century.

⁴⁰ But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

⁴¹ Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

⁴² Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

⁴³ Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

⁴⁴ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

⁴⁵ And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

⁴⁶ Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

⁴⁷ He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

⁴⁸ Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

⁴⁹ Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

⁵⁰ And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

⁵¹ Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

⁵² Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

⁵³ Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

⁵⁴ Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

⁵⁵ Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

⁵⁷ Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

⁵⁸ Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am*.

*G1510 εἰμί eimi (ei-miy’) v. (of God himself, following G1473) I AM (this is the comparable Greek form of God’s Hebrew name, YAHWEH; compare H3068). H3068 יְהוָה n/p. יְהוָֹה Yhovah (yeh-ho-vaw’) the self-Existent or Eternal, the I AM. Yahweh (Yehvah), The name of God.

⁵⁹ Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself*, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

*G2928 κρύπτω krupto (krïp’-tō) v. to conceal (properly, by covering). I find it interesting that this word is used here. Kryptonite was the element that “covered up” Superman’s powers. Superman is a fabrication based off of the Titans. The Titans were the offspring of fallen angels. Things that make you go hmmmm…