King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 17 notes
1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
They had so studied Jesus, his words and his doctrine, they knew he would not want to condemn the woman to death ☠.
Having such knowledge of Jesus, a knowledge that powerful to bring eternal life, yet they were not changed.
Sad 😔
Rather they sought to use it as a form of entrapment.
They thought to trap him, but what they didn't envisage was that with every test they were placing him on a higher pedestal.
In this instance, by testing him this way, they were unconsciously placing him on the same pedestal with Moses.
Of course he was greater, but they did not think he was even a true prophet, so to do this and promote Jesus.
6This 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.
7So 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.
They had handed over their authority to Jesus, because here without Jesus's go-ahead they would not act, and upon Jesus's answer they turned away — that was how powerful his influence was.
In reality they did not hand over their authority; Jesus demonstrated greater authority than them, both in word and backed by deeds of miracles.
Such a powerful combination could not be countered by these powerless leaders.
They hated him the more.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And 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.
Are we not sure these people's sins that were called to mind might have been sexual sins as well, just that they had not been caught?
10When 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?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
He let her go, in public and in the full glare of temple onlookers. Wow, such powerful scenery to show that he came to save that which was lost.
She had had her punishment. She had come this close to death and had gained pardon from this most holy prophet and the Christos himself.
12Then 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.
13The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14Jesus 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.
15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
19Then 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.
20These 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.
21Then 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.
22Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24I 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.
Here also he said it plainly... Pleading his case before these people... yet some would not heed.
25Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26I 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.
27They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28Then 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.
So the things he says he was taught by the Father. He had to be enlightened because he came as a man.
This is akin to Paul saying that had they known these things, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
So God is with us 🙏 as we are with him. He doesn't leave us alone.
30As he spake these words, many believed on him.
The spirit and conviction of these words struck the heart and many believed.
Indeed it is the Spirit that quickeneth and gives life... The flesh counts for nothing.
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39They 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.
40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42Jesus 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.
43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44Ye 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.
45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Hmm 🤔. What was it about Jesus that made him look like or sound like one with a devil 👿?
I think because he said words which no man ever did speak. And you know how, when people can't seem to fathom a thing, they attribute it to the supernatural.
In this case they did not want to attribute it to God, because that would mean them admitting he was the Messiah.
So they attributed the good things and gracious words he spoke to the devil.
49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
52Then 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.
53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Interesting question 🙋: whom maketh thou thyself?
They still could not discern him, and even if they could, as the Messiah, they did not think the Messiah was a divine being who predated Abraham.
Even until now that problem exists, to accept that Jesus was divine and God.
54Jesus 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:
The ability to not taste death ☠ if one followed Jesus was an honour the Father had given to him.
55Yet 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.
Jesus knew the Father, that's one, and he kept the Father's sayings.
It's one thing to know the truth and a completely different ball game to keep it, as we see here.
56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59Then 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.
How did he do this? Is it that they were blinded from recognizing him, or he disguised 🤢 himself?
The latter seems likely from the wording of the verse.