John 8:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.

NIV: At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.

NASB: And early in the morning He came again into the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began teaching them.

CSB: At dawn he went to the temple again, and all the people were coming to him. He sat down and began to teach them.

NLT: but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.

At the end of chapter 7, Jesus preached during the Feast of Booths. He used traditional rituals as analogies for His own role as Messiah (John 7:37–38). The story here represents a sudden change in tone and content. Most scholars believe this is not original to the text. Rather, the story of the adulterous woman is believed to be an authentic account initially recorded in some other location of Scripture. Jesus' reference to light (John 8:12) makes much more sense in the context of the Feast of Booths, where great lamps were lit as part of the festival. This passage is useful and important but needs to be considered separately from the surrounding context.

Scripture often records Jesus speaking and teaching to crowds (Matthew 5:1; Luke 4:20). His growing attention from the people of Jerusalem worries local religious leaders. In this passage, they again attempt to trick Jesus into ruining His reputation. Unlike other efforts, this one involves both a moral dilemma and a powerful, real-life example. Jesus' response to this trap teaches us about the importance of restraint as well as the nature of sound judgment.

John 7:53—8:11 is one of the most famous stories of the New Testament. Jesus' response to a trap sprung by the Pharisees is masterful. Though He alone has the moral authority to execute the woman for her sin, Jesus instead chooses forgiveness. This highlights a major concept of Christian ethics: just because one has the power to do something does not mean it's the best option. However, scholars do not believe this event was originally found in this exact place in Scripture. The flow of the gospel of John seems interrupted by the story. Also, in ancient manuscripts, these verses are found in various places. This leads to the suggestion that it is a true story, but not part of John's original narrative of the Festival of Booths in chapters 7 and 8. Not all scholars agree.

This begins with the story of the adulterous woman, a well-known but controversial passage. Most scholars believe this story is authentic, but not originally found in this exact spot in Scripture. The rest of chapter 8 continues Jesus' preaching during the Feast of Booths, where He once again comes into conflict with local religious leaders. Here, Christ will make His second ''I am" statement, using the analogy of light, which is a common theme in Hebrew theology. This conversation will become more and more heated. Jesus' opponents become so enraged that they attempt to kill Him right then and there.

Jesus is attending the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem. There He once again conflicts with local religious authorities. Previously, Jesus referred to Himself as a source of living water (John 7:37–38). That built on the festival's ritual pouring of water in the temple. In this chapter, Jesus will do something similar with the imagery of lights also related to festival traditions. This demonstrates Jesus' willingness to be direct, even aggressive, with His critics. The next few chapters will complete Jesus' public ministry, as He prepares for His impending death.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.