7:53-8:11
These verses are not found in manuscripts before the 500 AD except for one.
Nor are these verses addressed by the ancient commentators when they covered the book of John.
It is clear these verse were added to the text of John after that time.
This means these verses are not part of the authoritative cannon of scripture.
But, that does not mean they are not historical.
The 4th century church historian Eusebius
quotes 2nd century Papias,
as recounting a similar story. He wrote “expounded another story
about a woman who was accused before the Lord of many sins, which the Gospel
according to the Hebrews contains.”
These verses appear at different places when they do appear
in the gospels:
1) After
John 7:36
2) after
John 7:44
3) 7:52
4) at
the end of the gospel of John in a place where it appears to be the appendix
5) after
Luke 31:38
Textural Critics say the writing of 7:53-8:11 matches the
style of Luke.
it was probably inserted here because of the
allusion to Jeremiah 17:13
and the statement, "I do not judge anyone," in John 8:15
Most
scholars agree the story is historical, but it was not originally included for
some reason. One reason the early church
may not have addressed this story is because of their strict opinions against
sexual sins.
8:3
This
would have been a situation set up to trap a women just for the reason of
bringing her to Jesus to judge. If he
condemns her he will lose the respect of the people. If they stone her on his command he could be
charged with murder since he has no authority in the civil courts. If he releases her he will prove in their
eyes he is not the Messiah since he violated the law of Moses. The Messiah will be the judge when he
comes.
8:6
The
writing – It is not indicated what Jesus wrote on the ground is probably not
knowable.
Some
suggestions have been:
1)
Exodus 23:1 – “Do not be a malicious witness.”
2)
He was just patiently dragging his fingers through the dirt
3)
He was writing down their personal sins and convicting each of
them
4)
The verb “write” can mean also “to draw”, so he may not have wrote
letters but pictures, or symbols, or diagrams.
5)
He may have wrote “He without sin throw the first stone.” So he would have wrote his answer and then
read what was written on the ground.
6)
He may have written his verdict of death by stoning in accordance
with the Law of Moses, but then stood up and asked who wanted to enforce it.
7)
He may have written the ten commandments
8)
He may have just been writing to appear to be thinking of an
answer and giving his accusers hope that maybe he didn’t know what to say.
8:7
His answer gave his judgment for the application of the Law of
Moses, but since there was no civil authority in operation in this event it
would require that a perfect person apply the judgment.
8:11
Jesus
condemned the sin by saying in the Greek, “Stop your habitual sin.”
NIV
“sin no more” is literally, “leave your life of sin.”
8:12
“I
am the light of the world”
First
day of creation – Genesis 1:3 – the light here was spiritual.
Proverbs
8:22-36 – Here the light is wisdom
In
John 8:12 the light is Jesus who is wisdom.
He was the foundation upon which the earth was established in Genesis
1:3
Darkness
is both evil and ignorance.
8:13
Self-authentication
is in not valid according to scripture (Dt. 17:6;; 19:15) or the rabbinic
traditions.
8:14-15
Jesus
is saying there is no other person who can testify for him.
All
other people are merely human with human experience.
8:17
“In
your own law” could refer to the law of Moses but probably refers to the
rabbinic traditions.
8:21
Jesus is going to go to heaven. They have rejected him and so they will not be able to follow. Jesus says they will die in their sins.
8:22
Since Jesus is talking about being from another dimension and returning to that dimension they realize he is talking about the spiritual and figure the only way is if he dies.
8:24
“I
am the One I claim to be” is “I am”
8:26
They
are accusing him.
He
says he could turn the tables and judge them.