Every Woman's Bible Journaling Edition, Filament Enabled - Book - Page 34
JOHN 8
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something, their witness is accepted as fact.* 18 I am
one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
19 “Where is your father?” they asked.
Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am,
you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me,
you would also know my Father.” 20 Jesus made these
statements while he was teaching in the section of
the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not
arrested, because his time* had not yet come.
The Unbelieving People Warned
Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away.
You will search for me but will die in your sin. You
cannot come where I am going.”
22 The people* asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I
am going’?”
23 Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from
above. You belong to this world; I do not. 24That is why I
said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe
that I Am who I claim to be,* you will die in your sins.”
25 “Who are you?” they demanded.
Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be.*
26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn,
but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the
one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” 27But
they still didn’t understand that he was talking about
his Father.
28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son
of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I
Am he.* I do nothing on my own but say only what the
Father taught me. 29And the one who sent me is with
me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what
pleases him.” 30Then many who heard him say these
things believed in him.
21
Jesus and Abraham
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You
are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my
teachings. 32And you will know the truth, and the
truth will set you free.”
33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said.
“We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you
mean, ‘You will be set free’?”
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone
who sins is a slave of sin. 35A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the
family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are
truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants
of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill
31
me because there’s no room in your hearts for my
message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was
with my Father. But you are following the advice of
your father.”
39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.*
40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you
the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never
did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real
father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God
himself is our true Father.”
42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you
would love me, because I have come to you from
God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why
can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because
you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children
of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil
things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is
no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his
character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So
when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe
me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin?
And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you
believe me? 47Anyone who belongs to God listens
gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
48 The people retorted, “You Sa maritan devil!
Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by
a demon?”
49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For
I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50And
though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going
to glorify me. He is the true judge. 51I tell you the truth,
anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets
died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching
will never die!’ 53Are you greater than our father
Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who
do you think you are?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it
doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify
me. You say, ‘He is our God,’* 55 but you don’t even
know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would
be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey
him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked
forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
8:17 See Deut 19:15. 8:20 Greek his hour. 8:22 Greek Jewish people; also in 8:31, 48, 52, 57. 8:24 Greek unless you believe that
I am. See Exod 3:14. 8:25 Or Why do I speak to you at all? 8:28 Greek When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will
know that I am. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. 8:39 Some manuscripts read if you are really the children of
Abraham, follow his example. 8:54 Some manuscripts read You say he is your God.
8:20 The Treasury was located in the section of the Temple
called the Court of the Women. Jesus often taught there, allowing both men and women to hear him (see also Mark 12:41).
