THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
JESUS went unto the mount of Olives. 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. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a
woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they
say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very
act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but
what sayest thou? 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. 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. And again he stooped down,
and wrote on the ground. 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. 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? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her,
Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
[Sidenote: St. John 8]
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. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest
record of thyself; thy record is not true. 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. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I
judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father
that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two
men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that
sent me beareth witness of me. 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. 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.
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of
this world; I am not of this world. 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. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus
saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
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.
They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. 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. And he that sent me is with me:
the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that
please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him.
[Sidenote: St. John 8]
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be
Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou,
Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant
abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son
therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye
are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no
place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do
that which ye have seen with your father. 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. 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. Ye do the
deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We have one Father, even
God. 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. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot
hear my word. 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. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you
convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe
me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them
not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto
him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do
dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh
and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying,
he shall never see death.
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. Art thou greater than our father
Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou
thyself? 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:
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. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and
was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years
old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 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.