John 8-10

John 8

John 7:53–8:11 is NOT in the earliest manuscripts. It also sounds a bit different from John’s writing (sounds more like Luke)

The Woman Caught in Adultery

• Scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery. They ask whether she should be stoned according to the Law of Moses
  • They are attempting to trap Jesus
• Jesus writes on the ground. He says:“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
  • One by one the accusers leave
• Jesus asks the woman “Has no one condemned you?”
• She answers: “No one, Lord.”
• Jesus says: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

———————————

Earliest manuscripts start here: 

Jesus the Light of the World

• Jesus declares:“I am the light of the world.”
  • ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi) “I AM”
• Whoever follows Him:
  • will not walk in darkness
  • will have the light of life
• Pharisees challenge Jesus’ witness
• Jesus says:
  • He knows where He came from
  • the Father testifies about Him

Jesus predicts crucifixion: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man…”

Jesus warns they will die in sin unless they believe: “that I am he”

• Jesus says:
  • “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” 
  • “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• Crowd argues they are already free as descendants of Abraham
• Jesus explains sin causes slavery
• Jesus contrasts slavery to sin and freedom in the Son

Leaders claim Abraham as their father

• Jesus says true children of Abraham would:
  • believe Jesus
  • love truth
• Jesus accuses them of having the Devil as their father
  • rejecting truth
  • seeking murder
• Devil διάβολος (diabolos)described as:
  • murderer
  • liar
  • father of lies

Jews ask if Jesus is greater than Abraham

• Jesus says: “Before Abraham was, I am.”
  • Not “I was” but “I AM”
• Crowd attempts to stone Jesus for blasphemy
• Jesus departs from the temple

About this phrase: So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

• Could mean He is not an old/mature man yet, what does He know?

John 9

Healing the Man Born Blind

• Disciples ask whether blindness was caused by his sin or his parents’ sin
• Jesus says:
  • “that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
  • Jesus again says:“I am the light of the world.”
• Jesus makes mud with saliva and puts it on man’s eyes
• He sends him to wash in Pool of Siloam Σιλωάμ Silōam (“sent”)
  • Man returns seeing
• People question whether healed man is same person

Healing occurred on Sabbath, so naturally division arises:

• some call Jesus sinner
• others question how sinner could perform signs

Parents fear religious leaders and avoid directly defending Jesus. They say to ask their son

The formerly blind man defends Jesus

• Famous statement: “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 
• Religious leaders cast him out from synagogue

Jesus reveals Himself as Son of Man

• Man believes and worships Him
• Jesus contrasts physical blindness and spiritual blindness
  • “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.”

John 10

The Good Shepherd

• True shepherd
  • enters by the door, 
  • calls sheep by name
  • Sheep recognize His voice
• False shepherd/thief
  • sneaks in
  • Sheep run from him
  • Does not know his voice 

Jesus says: “I am the door of the sheep.”

• Whoever enters through Him:
  • will be saved
  • find pasture
• “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
• Jesus came to give abundant life
• Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd.”
  • lays down life for sheep

Jesus describes difference between a hired worker and a true shepherd

• Hired worker flees danger
• Jesus protects His sheep
  • Jesus knows His sheep
  • Sheep know Him
• Similar to Father knowing Son
• Jesus says: “I have other sheep that are not of this fold.”
  • Likely reference to Gentiles/ The nations

Jesus’ death is voluntary “I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”

• Some say Jesus is demon-possessed
• Others point to His miracles

At Feast of Dedication, religious leaders ask  “Are you the Christ?”

• Jesus says:
  • His sheep hear His voice
  • He gives eternal life
  • no one can snatch them from His hand
• Jesus says: “I and the Father are one.” ἕν (hen) “one/united”

Attempted Stoning Again

• Leaders attempt to stone Jesus for blasphemy
• Jesus argues from Scripture (Psalm 82)
  • “I said, ‘You are gods’”
  • If judges hold the title of ‘god’, how much more deserving is Christ?
• They attempt arrest but Jesus escapes

Application

Jesus once again angers and confuses the people around Him. His bold claims such as being the Light of the world and the Son of Man were not compatible with the Jews’ beliefs. Jesus shows that He is the Shepherd who cares and lays His life down for His flock. Others who claim to do so are not true shepherds but instead theives.