The woman and her accusers
John 8:1–11FocusJudgment and a call to leave sin
Connection to the wholeJesus exposes the accusers' position and addresses the woman with mercy joined to a command to sin no more.
interpretation John 8:21
KJVThen 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.
Read it in context
Jesus' Teaching and Confrontation in the Temple
Start reading at John 8:1 (John 8:1 to John 8:59).
The entire chapter details Jesus' teaching and debates with the Jewish leaders in the temple, beginning with His arrival and the incident of the woman taken in adultery, and continuing with His declarations about His divine identity and the consequences of unbelief.
- 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
- 8:2 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.
- 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
- 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
- 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
- 8:6 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.
- 8:7 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.
- 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
- 8:9 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.
- 8:10 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?
- 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
- 8:12 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.
- 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
- 8:14 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.
- 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
- 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
- 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
- 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
- 8:19 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.
- 8:20 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.
- 8:21 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.
- 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
- 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
- 8:24 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.
- 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
- 8:26 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.
- 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
- 8:28 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.
- 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
- 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
- 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
- 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
- 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
- 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
- 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
- 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
- 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
- 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
- 8:39 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.
- 8:40 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.
- 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
- 8:42 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.
- 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
- 8:44 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.
- 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
- 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
- 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
- 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
- 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
- 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
- 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
- 8:52 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.
- 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
- 8:54 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:
- 8:55 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.
- 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
- 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
- 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
- 8:59 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author. The Gospel identifies its witness as the beloved disciple; identifying that disciple personally as John rests on early church testimony. Biblical references: John 21:20; John 21:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (John 8:1–8:59): In the KJV account, scribes and Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus. His subsequent temple teaching involves Pharisees and other Jewish hearers who dispute His words. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Readers called to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to have life through His name. No individual or congregation is named as the sole original recipient. Biblical references: John 20:30; John 20:31. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main theme is Jesus' declaration of His unique divine origin and destination, and the solemn warning to the unbelieving Jews that they will die in their sins because they refuse to believe in Him and therefore cannot follow Him to where He goes.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing the unique divine identity of Jesus Christ, His imminent departure (referring to His death, resurrection, and ascension), and the eternal consequences of rejecting Him, specifically that those who die in their sins cannot enter His presence.
- What is the literary style? The literary style is Gospel narrative, characterized by extensive discourses and dialogues, particularly between Jesus and the Jewish leaders.
When
- When was it written? The Gospel of John was written approximately A.D. 85 to 95. book background
- When does the event take place? The events described in this passage took place during Jesus' earthly ministry, approximately A.D. 27 to 30. book background
Where
- Where did it happen? The events described in this passage occurred in the temple in Jerusalem, specifically in the treasury area (John 8:20). Jesus had come there early in the morning from the mount of Olives (John 8:1-2). stated in the text
- Where was the author located? The traditional place where the Gospel of John was written is Ephesus. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Jesus' Teaching and Confrontation in the Temple (John 8:1 to John 8:59). Start reading at John 8:1. The entire chapter details Jesus' teaching and debates with the Jewish leaders in the temple, beginning with His arrival and the incident of the woman taken in adultery, and continuing with His declarations about His divine identity and the consequences of unbelief.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse is part of a larger discourse and series of confrontations between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in the temple. It follows Jesus' declaration as the "Light of the world" (John 8:12) and His assertion of divine authority and origin. It sets the stage for further warnings about the consequences of unbelief and the Jews' inability to comprehend Jesus' true identity and destination, which continues throughout the chapter. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? Jesus' statement "I go my way" points to His unique divine mission, culminating in His death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father. His declaration that "whither I go, ye cannot come" underscores His divine nature and the exclusive path to God through Him, implying that His destination is heaven, which is inaccessible to those who die in their sins. It highlights Christ as the only way to the Father. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? This passage serves as a solemn warning about the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the necessity of faith in Him to avoid dying in one's sins and to be able to follow Him to eternal life. It calls believers to trust in Jesus as the only way to God and to share this truth with others. interpretation
Cited: John 8:1, John 8:2, John 8:13, John 8:20, John 8:21, John 8:22, John 8:24
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book identifies its author as the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote them.
John 21:24John 21:20
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debated
There is substantial early Christian tradition supporting John the son of Zebedee—James’s brother—as the authority behind the Gospel, but it is not the same kind of evidence as having a signed first-century manuscript saying “I, John son of Zebedee, wrote this.” The case is cumulative, built from internal evidence in the Gospel plus external testimony from early Christians. There are also real reasons scholars debate it.
Related passages
- I go John 7:34 John 12:33,35 1 Kgs 18:10 2 Kgs 2:16-17 Matt 23:39 Matt 24:23-24
- and shall die John 8:24 Job 20:11 Ps 73:18-20 Prov 11:7 Prov 14:32 Isa 65:20 Ezek 3:18-19 Luke 16:22-26
- whither John 7:34 John 13:33 Matt 25:41,46
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
John 8
The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him. This outline follows the KJV chapter, beginning with the woman brought before Jesus.
John 20:30 John 20:31 John 8:31
FocusWitness and identity
Connection to the wholeDisputes about Jesus' testimony and destination deepen the question of His identity and the need to believe Him.
interpretation Freedom and true sonship
John 8:31–47FocusContinuing in Jesus' word
Connection to the wholeJesus connects discipleship with continuing in His word, confronting claims of ancestry that conflict with the hearers' conduct and response.
interpretation Before Abraham
John 8:48–59FocusJesus' identity and rejection
Connection to the wholeThe argument reaches its climax in Jesus' statement concerning Abraham and Himself, followed by an attempt to stone Him.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
John
The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him.
John 20:30 John 20:31 John 8:31
The Word made flesh
John 1:1–18FocusRevelation and life
Connection to the wholeThe opening identifies the Word and His coming in flesh, providing the frame for the testimony and encounters that follow.
interpretation The first signs and witnesses
John 1:19–4:54FocusReceiving Jesus' revelation
Connection to the wholeEarly signs and conversations disclose Jesus' identity while distinguishing superficial response from receiving His testimony.
interpretation FocusLife, light, and the shepherd
Connection to the wholeJesus' signs and explanations provoke belief and hostility, developing the question of who He is and how His voice is received.
interpretation The approach of the hour
John 11:1–12:50FocusLazarus, Jerusalem, and the coming death
Connection to the wholeThe raising of Lazarus intensifies the plot, and Jesus interprets His approaching death as His hour comes into view.
interpretation Jesus and His disciples
John 13:1–17:26FocusLove, abiding, and prayer
Connection to the wholeThe farewell teaching prepares the disciples for His departure, the Comforter, opposition, and continuing life and witness in Him.
interpretation Death, resurrection, and testimony
John 18:1–21:25FocusThe finished work and risen Lord
Connection to the wholeThe passion and resurrection accounts lead to the Gospel's stated purpose and Jesus' renewed charge to His followers.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.