The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1508
John chapter 8

You have to admit, John 8:3-11 has got to be one of the funniest scenes in the whole Bible. And I'll bet these dudes were steaming hot!

John 7:53 And every man went unto his own house.

John 8:1
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

We saw in cahpter 7 that Jesus had gone up into the Mount of Olives to camp overnight. We pick up the action the next morning.

John 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.

[3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

Do not marvel at this for the father of Cain, that old serpent, Satan, thought He too was so clever that He could twist and misquote the scriptures to Jesus and get away with it when he tempted Him in the wilderness ! What a doofus!

[4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

It is important that we see what kind of characters we are dealing with here so we understand what is about to take place. These oh-so-religious, presumably knowledgeable, scribes and Pharisees are plotting to murder an innocent man, Jesus, and because He is innocent, they are trying to fabricate a reason to accuse Him. Nice, honest, holy men of God, aren't they?

So since they have already demonstrated that they have NO MORALS whatsoever, do you think they would have any second thoughts about having an affair with a young intern or another man's wife? Like I said, I'm sure they knew right where to find this woman.

Now let's watch as these hypocrites, who would condemn another for the very deeds they do, get religious and quote scripture to God. (Don't you just love it?)

John 8:5
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

Deut. 22:23
If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;

[24] Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

You see, the law to which they refer applies ONLY to a damsel who is a VIRGIN! STONING does not apply to a married woman! The penalty for a married woman is outlined in Numbers 5:11-31 which required a special procedure to be performed by the priest which left the punishment (judgment) in the hands of God.

Jesus KNEW that this was a "married" woman and so DID the scribes and Pharisees. They just didn't think Jesus knew! How could He? He didn't know who she was, so they thought. Now the reason Jesus did not confront them verbally with this FACT of the law, but rather ignored them and stooped down and wrote the curses from Numbers 5:23 was to let the scribes and Pharisees know that He knew but He did NOT let the public know. You'll see His reason for this in a moment.

Next verse:

[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.

This so funny I can't stand it! Talk about being caught between a rock and hard place! Or should we say more appropriately, talk about being caught with your pants down! These holy religious men are standing there before the crowd, and they KNOW they can't throw a stone because they would be BREAKING THE LAW of Moses, and Jesus instead stands up tall and says to them, "Let Him Who is Without Sin Cast the First Stone". Here it is:

[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] And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

Then He probably wrote the names of "sweethearts" beginning with eldest's little secret honey pie! This was to let them know if they said ONE WORD he'd expose them to the crowd so fast their heads would spin!

"See ya fellas! Nice talkin' to you!"

[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.

(You have to admit, this has got to be one of the funniest scenes in the whole Bible. And I'll bet these dudes were steaming hot!)

[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?

[11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

(I'm still laughing, I can just see these guys! Good day!)

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, now continues to present Jesus Christ as God, which is the theme of this Gospel of John. We pick up the action as Jesus once again begins to teach in the temple.

Note: There is some disagreement among scholars as to the placement of the following verse, but in this case it is right where it belongs. "Then spake Jesus" simply means "later on".

John 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.

Well, now Jesus is standing in the treasury (see vs. 20) "where stood two colossal golden lamp-stands, on which hung a multitude of lamps, lighted after the evening sacrifice and probably every evening during the Feast of Tabernacles, diffusing their brilliancy, it is said, over all the city." (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown)

It is here, "later on", when this brilliant display of light is shining forth, that Jesus said, "I AM the light of the world". What a great and fitting analogy! Was He a great teacher or what?

Now don't miss that He said He was the light of the whole WORLD, not just Israel. And remember John had declared Him and bear witness of that Light in chapter 1. He declared that God is light!

1 John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

John 1:8
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Now let's look at the second half of verse 12.

John 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.

1 Thes. 5:2
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

1 Thes. 5:4
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

[5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

John 8:13
The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

[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.

John 8:15
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

[16] And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

[17] It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

[18] I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

John 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.

1 John 2:23
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

John 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.

[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.

John 8:22
Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

[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.

John 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.

Note for new students: When Moses went up into the mountain and the LORD talked to Him from the burning bush, he ask God what His name was. Here's the conversation:

Exodus 3:13
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

[14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 8:24
For unless you believe I am who I am, you will die in your sins. (Phillips)

Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Let's return to John and re-read verse 24 one more time.

John 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.

[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.

[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.

Jesus did not come to judge any man, because again, the time of judgment was not and is not yet. It will be as planned and is reserved until after the Millennium. When Jesus said, "He that sent me is true", He means the Father is true to His Word and His Plan and it will happen exactly as He has ordained it, not one second before and not one second after!

[27] They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

[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.

[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.

[30] As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Do you?

If not, don't miss the rest of this chapter!

We are going to learn the real identity of this certain group of scribes and Pharisees, who will once again lie to Jesus Christ, this time claiming to be the actual descendents of Abraham.

But first let's review some history. Following Cyrus' decree in 426 BC to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, Ezra and Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem, but they took with them only a REMNANT from the House of Judah. The rest of Judah, the majority of them, went north over the Caucasus Mountains with the other tribes of Israel and to this very day most of true Judah and Israel do not know who they are. Though they basically comprise the Christian nations of the world, in their ignorance they call themselves gentiles.

Now during the trip back to Jerusalem, at one point Ezra stopped and gathered the people together and took a census. And guess what he found, or better yet, what he didn't find? Read it yourself:

Ezra 8:15
And I gathered them together to the river than runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.

[17] And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.

[18] And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;

Again, so that we understand the conversation that is about to take place in John between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees we need to know that out of the 400 year period from the time of Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, to the time of Christ would come forth the Great Synagogue. And many of the ruling authorities of the temple, those religious leaders in charge, would not be of the seed of Abraham, i.e. true Israelites or Levitical Priests, but would be the wicked sons of Cain, who are called "kenites" (pronounced cainites) in the Bible. They will try to convince Jesus that they are of the "seed" of Abraham, BY BIRTH! But they are not! They are liars and are of the synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9, 3:9).

That is exactly what Jesus meant in Matthew 23 when He said the scribes and Pharisees sit in the seat of Moses, i.e. the seat of authority.

Matthew 23:2
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

John 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

So the "flip side" of what Jesus just said is if you don't abide in His Word, you are not one of His disciples.

[32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

[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?

[34] Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

And now for a little salvation message:

[35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

[36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

[38] I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

[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.

Note: If you are not familiar with what really transpired in the fig grove in the garden of Eden, log unto and read pamphlet #7007

Now most preachers and ministers and commentaries will try to "spiritualize away" this 44th verse in John 8, and say Christ wasn't talking about "sperma", i.e. seed and offspring. But let me ask you, is there not a group of people who run around today claiming that they are God's chosen people? Are they?

Those Christians who belong to the church of Smyrna know they are not!

Rev. 2:8-9
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Rev. 3:7-9
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; [8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. [9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Let's read the Parable of the Tares. But first, let's fully understand that it is not given to everyone to understand this parable. Why? Because in this generation, if a person comes to a full knowledge of the truth and then worships Satan when he comes claiming he is Jesus, they will condemn themselves to the lake of fire. Therefore our Father has allowed the spirit of slumber (Rom. 11) to come upon them so that they do not see, lest they die. Again, why? It is for their protection because He loves His children. If they worship Satan in ignorance they will not be condemned.

Let's document from the very words of Jesus that it is not given to everyone to understand the parable we are about to cover.

Matthew 13:10
And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Note: THE FOLLOWING IS A PARABLE. That means that the true meaning requires explanation. And as Jesus just said, it is a mystery, at least to most. Here are the words of Christ:

Matthew 13:24
Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

[25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

[27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

[28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

[29] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

[30] Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matthew 13:34
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

[35] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

[36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

[37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

[38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

The good "seed" are the children of God, whom He placed in the garden; but the tares are the children of the wicked one.

Who is the wicked one? Just so there is no doubt, Jesus explains:

[39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Where did the devil sow his wicked seed. In the beginning! In the garden of Eden! Do you remember the words of God following the "sowing" of the "seed", the seduction of Eve (II Cor. 11:3).

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;

You now know why Cain is not listed in Adam's genealogy in chapter 5 of Genesis, but has his "own" genealogy in chapter 4! It is really so simple. Christ just explained it in the Parable of the Tares but it remains yet a mystery to most. You see, Cain was NOT Adam's son. He was of his father, the devil! And he was the first murderer! And these scribes and Pharisees are his direct descendants, though they claim to be of Abraham.

Let's continue with Christ's explanation of the parable, the rest of which is just as simple as the previous verses.

Mat. 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

[41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

[42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

We just learned that the scribes and Pharisees tried to tell Jesus that they were descendents of Abraham, by birth. But Jesus knew they were lying and told them the truth, i.e. that they were of their father the devil, and his son Cain the first murderer, and so He also was talking about their birth, i.e. their "seed". In fact in verse 55 of this 8th chapter Jesus will outright call them "liars". He also calls them liars in Rev. 3:9 and blasphemers in Rev. 2:9, because they claim to be of Judah but are NOT!

This is not at all hard to understand for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. You see, Judah has been infiltrated by the sons of Cain, who we documented are the tares in the Parable of the Tares in Matthew 13. They are also referred to as the "bad fig". Jesus Christ, when ask by His disciples in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, what would be the sign of His second advent instructed them to "learn the parable of the fig tree" in order to determine what generation it would be that would not pass away until He returned.

Although there is a great deal more to learn about the parable of the fig, know this: In Jeremiah chapter 24 there are two baskets of figs SET OUT in Judea, i.e. Jerusalem. Jeremiah is then ask by our Father to describe what he sees, to which he replies, "Two baskets of figs! One very good and the other very naughty." You now know that the bad figs are the sons of Cain, i.e. kenites. See Fig Tree

Note: The figs, both the good and the bad, were set out in Judea on May 15, 1948. And so it would be this generation, commonly known as the BABY BOOMERS, who will see the BIRTH of the new age, and the return of Jesus Christ. Without a doubt, this is the greatest time to live in the history of mankind!

Let's now return to John chapter 8 where Jesus, having once again convicted the kenites of being liars, turns things around on them and asks them if they can find fault or sin with Him or His teaching of the truth.

John 8:45
And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

[46] Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

[47] He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

You can tell from the next verse that this statement really went over big!

John 8:48
Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

"A Samaritan" means more than "no Israelite at all"; it means one who pretended, but had no manner of claim to the title - retorting perhaps, this denial of their true descent from Abraham. (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Zondervan Publishing)

[49] Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

[50] And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

John 8:51
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

[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.

[53] Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

John 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:

[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.

[56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

John 8:57
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

[58] Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

That was the "last straw", so to speak.  So what do mature religious leaders do when they get upset? Pick up rocks and hurl them!

[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.

Well, these stone-heads should know better than to try and cast physical stones at the Messiah, the One who could even walk on water and transport a ship INSTANTLY to shore! It is really quite comical! Hey fellas!, "Now you see Him, now you don't"!

In chapter 9 we will witness a man who was blind from birth, be given eyes to see, if you know what I mean!