THE NEW TESTAMENT: AN UNDERSTANDABLE VERSION Table of Contents
JOHN
CHAPTER ONE
1) The Word [already] existed in the beginning [of time]. [Note: This is a reference to the preexistence of Jesus. See verse 14]. And the Word was with God and the Word was [what] God [was]. 2) This Word existed with God from the beginning [of time].
3) Everything came into being through this Word, and apart from Him not a single thing came into being. 4) Life existed in Him; and that Life [was what] enlightened mankind [spiritually]. 5) And [His] light continued to shine, [even] in the darkness [of the world], and that darkness did not overcome Him [or, did not fully understand Him].
6) There was a man sent from God whose name was John [the Immerser]. 7) He came to be a witness, so that he might testify concerning that Light, so that all people would believe [in Jesus] through him [i.e., through his testimony. See Acts 19:4]. 8) He himself was not that Light, but came [only] to testify concerning that Light. 9) [Now] the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was [indeed] coming into the world [i.e., to earth]. 10) [Actually] He was in the world [already], for the world came into being through Him, but the world did not acknowledge Him. 11) [Then] He came to His own [world, while on earth], but His own [people, the Israelites] did not welcome Him. 12) But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name [i.e., as the Messiah]. 13) [Such people] were born of God, not of blood ties [i.e., from physical descendants], nor of the will of the flesh [i.e., merely from a sexual desire], nor of the will of man [i.e., from a husband=s desire for offspring].
14) [Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word Alived@ here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father=s only Son), full of God=s favor and truth.
15) John gave testimony about Jesus, shouting out, AThis person is the one about whom I said, >He who will come after me ranks above me because He existed before me.=@ 16) For we have all received from His full richness one favor after another. 17) For the Law was given through Moses; [but] God=s favor and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18) No one has ever seen God [i.e., His full splendor], but God, the only conceived [and eventually born Son], who is at the Father=s side, has shown us who He is.
19) And this is the testimony John [the Immerser] gave when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, AWho are you?@ [Note: Levites were men who assisted the priests in the Temple service]. 20) Then he declared openly, without denying it, AI am not the Christ [i.e., God=s specially chosen one].@ 21) So, they asked him, AWho then [are you]? Are you Elijah [i.e., returned from the dead]?@ But he answered, A[No], I am not.@ A[Then], are you the prophet [i.e., Moses. See Deut. 18:15-19]?@ they asked. And he answered, ANo.@ 22) So, they asked him [again], A[Then], who are you? We need to take back an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?@ 23) He replied, AI am the voice of a man who is calling out in the desert, [urging people to] >Make the road for the Lord straight,= as Isaiah the prophet said, [Isa. 40:3].@
24) Now those who were sent [i.e., to question John] were Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion]. 25) They asked him, AWhy do you immerse people then, if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet [Moses]?@ 26) So, John answered them, saying, AI am immersing people in water, but there is Someone among you whom you do not recognize. 27) He is the One who will follow my ministry; [and] I do not deserve to untie his sandal lace.@
28) These things happened in Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River where John was immersing people. [Note: This was a different Bethany from the one just outside of Jerusalem].
29) On the next day John [the Immerser] saw Jesus approaching him and said, ALook, [there is] the Lamb of God; He [will] take away the sin of the people of the world. 30) He is the One about whom I said, >A man will come after me who ranks above me, for He existed before me.= 31) And I would not have recognized Him, but I came immersing people in water so that He would become known to the Israelites.@
32) So, John gave his testimony, saying, AI have seen the Holy Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it remained on Him. 33) And I did not recognize Him, but He [i.e., God], who sent me to immerse in water, said to me, >The one on whom you see the Holy Spirit descending and remaining is the same One who [will] immerse people in the Holy Spirit.= 34) And I have seen and given testimony that this person is the Son of God.@
35) Then on the following day John was standing [there] again with two of his disciples. 36) And when he saw Jesus walking by, he said, ALook, [there is] the Lamb of God!@ 37) [When] the two disciples heard him say that, they began following Jesus. 38) Then Jesus turned and saw them following [Him] and said to them, AWhat are you looking for?@ And they answered Him, ARabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?@ 39) Then He said to them, ACome, and you will see.@ So, they went and saw where He was staying and they stayed with Him that day. It was about ten o=clock in the morning. [Note: Hour designations in this book are being calculated by Roman time, but this would have been 4 PM if Jewish time were meant].
40) One of the two men who had listened to John and had become a follower of Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter=s brother. 41) The first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Simon and say to him, AWe have found the Messiah (which means Christ [i.e., God=s specially chosen one]).@ 42) So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], AYou are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter=s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., Aa stone.@ See Matt. 16:18]).@
43) [Then] on the next day He [i.e., Jesus, but some think it refers to Peter or Andrew] decided to travel into Galilee, [and there] He found Philip. Jesus said to Philip, ABecome my follower.@
44) Now Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew=s and Peter=s home town. [Note: This town was on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee, a few miles from Capernaum]. 45) [Then] Philip found Nathaniel [i.e., the same as Bartholomew. See Matt. 10:3] and said to him, AWe have found Him, the one Moses wrote about in the Law; and the prophets [also wrote about Him]. [He is] Jesus from Nazareth, the [step-] son of Joseph.@ 46) Nathaniel replied to him, ACan anything worthwhile come from Nazareth?@ [Note: Nazareth had a bad reputation and Jewish writings made no prediction of a prophet coming from that area. See John 7:52]. Philip answered him, ACome and see.@
47) [As] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, He said [this] about him, ALook, [there is] a true Israelite, a completely honest man!@ 48) Nathaniel asked Jesus, AHow did you know me?@ Jesus answered him, AI saw you when you were under that fig tree, [even] before Philip called you.@ 49) Nathaniel replied to Him, ARabbi [i.e., Teacher], you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.@ 50) Jesus said to him, ADo you believe [in me just] because I told you, >I saw you under that fig tree=? You will see [even] greater things than these [happen].@ 51) Then Jesus said to him, ATruly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened up and the angels of God going up [from] and coming down on the Son of man@ [i.e., probably a reference to angels ministering to Jesus= needs. See Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43].
CHAPTER TWO
1) Then on the third day [i.e., since Jesus= conversation with Nathaniel. See 1:47], a wedding took place in Cana in Galilee. [Note: This was a small town near Nazareth]. Jesus= mother was there 2) and Jesus and His disciples had been invited to it also. 3) Now when they had run out of wine, Jesus= mother said to Him, AThey do not have any more wine [left].@ 4) So, Jesus said to her, A[My dear] woman, what do you want me to do [about it]? My time [i.e., to be revealed to people as the Messiah] has not yet come.@ 5) His mother said to the servants, ADo whatever He tells you to do.@
6) Now there were six clay water jars there, used by the Jews for ceremonial washings [i.e., for hands, utensils, etc.]. Each one held from 17 to 26 gallons. 7) Jesus said to them, AFill the jars with water.@ So, the servants filled them clear full. 8) Then He said to them, ANow pour [some of it] out and take it to the banquet host.@ So, they took some to him, 9) and when the banquet host tasted the water, which had [now] been turned into wine, he did not know where it had come from. (But the servants who had poured out the water knew [full well]). So, the banquet host called the groom 10) and said to him, AEveryone sets out the best wine first, and when people have had plenty to drink, he then sets out the poor quality [wine]. But you have kept the best wine until now.@ [Note: See Barnes Notes (pp. 193-195) and The Gospel of John by Butler (pp. 68-70) for evidence suggesting that this was not intoxicating wine].
11) This was the beginning of Jesus= [miraculous] signs, which He performed in Cana in Galilee. [In doing this] He demonstrated His glorious power and His disciples believed in Him.
12) After this incident, Jesus, His mother, His [half-] brothers and His disciples went down to Capernaum [i.e., located on the north shore of Lake Galilee] and stayed there a few days.
13) Now the Jewish Passover Festival was soon [to be held], so Jesus went up to Jerusalem [to attend it]. 14) There in the Temple [area] He found people selling oxen, sheep and pigeons [i.e., for use as sacrifices]. Also cashiers were sitting there. [Note: These people exchanged foreign coins so visitors to Jerusalem could make purchases and pay taxes]. 15) Then Jesus made a whip out of strands of rope and drove all of the sheep and oxen out of the Temple [area], dumped out the cashiers' money and overturned their tables. 16) He said to those who were selling the pigeons, ATake these things out of here, and quit making my Father=s house [i.e., the Temple] a merchandise mart.@ 17) Then Jesus= disciples remembered that it was written [Psa. 69:9], AEnthusiasm for Your [i.e., God=s] house [i.e., the Temple] will consume me.@
18) So, the Jews asked Him, AWhat [miraculous] sign will you show us, since you are doing these things [i.e., disrupting their merchandising activities]?@ 19) Jesus answered them, A[If you] destroy this Temple, I will raise it up in three days.@ 20) But the Jews said, AIt took forty-six years to build this Temple, and are you going to rebuild it in three days?@ 21) But Jesus was speaking about the Atemple@ of His [physical] body. 22) Therefore, when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered what He had said and they believed the Scriptures and the words Jesus had spoken.
23) Now when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people believed in His name [i.e., in Jesus Himself] when they saw the [miraculous] signs He was doing. 24) But Jesus would not trust Himself to them [i.e., to the care of these Jewish leaders] because He knew all men, 25) and He did not need anyone to tell Him about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in the hearts of mankind.
CHAPTER THREE
1) Now there was a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, named Nicodemus. 2) This man went to Jesus one night and said to Him, ARabbi, we [i.e., speaking of himself and other Jewish leaders] know that you are a Teacher sent from God, for no one could perform these [miraculous] signs that you are doing unless God were with Him.@ 3) Jesus said to him, ATruly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above [Note: The words Afrom above@ are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean Aagain,@ or Aanew@ and refer to the source of a person=s second birth]. 4) Nicodemus said to Him, AHow can a man be born [again] after he is [already] old? He cannot enter his mother=s womb a second time and be born, can he?@ 5) Jesus answered him, ATruly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit. 6) Whoever is born from human parents is a human being; and whoever is born from the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being. 7) So, do not be surprised that I have said to you, >You must be born from above.@ [See note on verse 3]. 8) The wind blows wherever it wants to, and you can hear the sound of it, without knowing where it came from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born from the Holy Spirit.@ 9) Then Nicodemus asked Jesus, AHow can these things happen?@ 10) Jesus answered him, AAre you a teacher of the Israelites and [yet] you do not understand these things? 11) Truly, truly, I tell you, we [i.e., Jesus and His disciples] speak about what we know, and testify about what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. 12) If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe [it], how will you believe [it] if I tell you about heavenly things? 13) And no one has gone up to heaven except the One who has come down from heaven, [even] the Son of man. {{Most translations do not contain the added words Awho is in heaven@}}. 14) And [just] like Moses lifted up the snake [on the pole] in the wilderness [Num. 21:9], so the Son of man must be lifted up [on the cross] 15) so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life.@ [Note: Some translations extend Jesus= conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21].
16) For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life. 17) For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge [i.e., to condemn it], but [rather] so that the people of the world could be saved [from condemnation] though Him. 18) The person who believes in Him will not be condemned, but the one who does not believe in Him has already been condemned, because he did not believe in the name of God=s one and only Son. 19) Now this is [how God=s] judgment [works]: The Light [See 1:5-9] has come into the world, but people loved darkness [i.e., sin] rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. 20) For every person who practices evil things hates the light [of truth] and does not come to it, for fear of having his deeds exposed [as sinful]. 21) But the person who does what is [according to the] truth [i.e., good things] comes to the light so that his deeds may be shown to have been produced by God.
22) After this Jesus and His disciples went to the country-[side] of Judea and there they remained and immersed people. 23) John [the Immerser] was also immersing people in Aenon, near Salem [Note: These locations are thought to have been in northeastern Judea, near the Jordan River], because there was a lot of water there; so people were coming to be immersed. 24) Now John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25) [About then] a dispute arose between John=s disciples and a Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 26) These disciples went to John and said to him, ARabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River [i.e., Jesus], whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him.@ [Note: Actually, it was Jesus= disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2]. 27) John replied to them, AA person cannot receive anything, unless it has been given to him from [God in] heaven. 28) You yourselves can testify that I said, >I am not the Christ [i.e., God=s specially chosen one] but [rather] that I was sent [by God] ahead of Him.= 29) The one who has the bride is the groom; but the best man, who stands up with him and listens to him [take his vows], is very happy when he hears him speak. So, [now] my joy is complete [i.e. over hearing about Jesus= ministry]. 30) He [i.e., Jesus] must increase [in importance and influence], while I must decrease.@
31) The One who comes from above [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]; but the one who is out of the earth [i.e., of human origin] is [merely] an earthly [being] and he speaks in earthly [ways]. [But] the One who comes from heaven [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]. 32) He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. 33) The person who has accepted Jesus= testimony has confirmed this [fact], that God is truthful. 34) For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse]. 35) The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hands [See Eph. 1:20-22]. 36) The person who believes in the Son has never ending life, but the person who disobeys the Son will not see life [i.e., will not experience never ending life], but [instead], God=s wrath remains on him.
CHAPTER FOUR
1) Therefore, when the Lord [Jesus] knew that the Pharisees were aware of Him making and immersing more disciples than John, 2)-3) He left Judea and returned to Galilee. (Although it was actually His disciples who did the immersing and not Jesus Himself). 4) [Now to get to Galilee] it required that Jesus travel through Samaria [Note: Samaria was the next country north of Judea].
5) So, He arrived at the Samaritan town called Sychar, which was near the piece of property that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6) Jacob=s [spring-fed] well was there so Jesus, tired from His [long] journey, sat down beside the well just as He was [i.e., before doing anything else]. It was about six o=clock in the morning [Note: This would have been 12 o'clock noon if Jewish time were meant].
7) [About then] a Samaritan woman came [to the well] to draw water. Jesus said to her, A[Please] give me a drink.@ 8) (Now Jesus= disciples had gone away to town to buy some food). 9) Therefore, the Samaritan woman asked Him, AWhy is it that you, being a Jew, would ask a Samaritan woman [like me] for a drink?@ (For Jews do not have any fellowship with Samaritans). [Note: The reason for this stemmed from longstanding religious, cultural and ethnic prejudices]. 10) Jesus answered her, AIf you [only] knew the [real] gift of God, and who it is that said to you, >[Please], give me a drink,= you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.@ 11) The woman [then] said to Him, ASir, you do not have anything to draw [water] with, and the well is deep. Where will you get that living water? 12) Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us this well? He himself and his sons and cattle [all] drank from it.@ 13) Jesus answered her, AEveryone who drinks this water will get thirsty again, 14) but whoever drinks the water I give him will never get thirsty [again]. For the water I will give him will become in him [i.e., in his spirit] a spring of water, bubbling up and producing never ending life.@ [See John 7:38]. 15) The woman [then] said to Him, ASir, [please] give me [some of] that water, so that I do not get thirsty [again], or have to come all the way here to draw [water].@ 16) Jesus replied to her, AGo call your husband and [then] come here.@ 17) The woman said to Him, AI do not have a husband.@ Jesus said to her, AYou were right when you said, >I do not have a husband,= 18) because you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not [really] your husband. So, you have told the truth.@ 19) [Then] the woman said to Jesus, ASir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20) Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain [i.e., Mt. Gerizim, which was visible from where they were sitting]; but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people should worship [God].@ 21) Jesus replied to her, A[My dear] woman, believe me [when I tell you], the time will come when you people will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22) You [Samaritans] do not [really] know what you worship; we [Jews] know what we worship because salvation is from the Jews [i.e., through Jewish prophets, Jewish Scriptures and a Jewish Messiah]. 23) But the time will come, and is now [actually] here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [i.e., from the heart] and truth [i.e., according to God=s revealed will], for these are the people whom the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24) God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.@ 25) [Then] the woman said to Jesus, AI know that Messiah is coming ([He is] the One who is called Christ). And when He does come, He will tell us everything.@ 26) Jesus replied to her, AI, who am speaking to you, am [the Messiah].@
27) Just about then Jesus= disciples returned [from town], and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. [Note: It was not customary for a Jewish male to engage a woman in extended conversation in that day, much less a stranger, and certainly not a Samaritan], yet no one said [to Him], AWhat are you looking for?@ or AWhy are you talking to her?@ 28) So, the woman left her water jar and went back into town and told the people [there], 29) ACome [and] see a man who told me everything I ever did. Can this be the Christ?@ 30) [So], the people went out from the town and came to where Jesus was.
31) Meanwhile Jesus= disciples urged Him, saying, ARabbi, [have something to] eat.@ 32) But He said to them, AI [already] have food to eat that you do not know about.@ 33) So, the disciples said to one another, ANo one has brought Him anything to eat [have they]?@ 34) Jesus answered them; AMy food is doing what God, who sent me, wants me to, and accomplishing His work. 35) Are you not [always] saying, >There are still four months before harvest time comes=? Look, I am telling you [disciples], lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white and ripe for harvest [i.e., people are ready to make a spiritual response]. 36) Already the person who is harvesting [the crop] is being paid for his work, and is gathering a crop for never ending life, so that the one planting and the one harvesting [the crop] may rejoice together. 37) So, the saying is true that one person plants and another harvests [the crop]. 38) I sent you [disciples] to harvest [a crop] that you did not work on; other people have done the work and you have reaped the results of their work.@ [Note: This is probably an allusion to the preliminary work of preaching done by John, the Immerser, with results occurring under the preaching of the apostles].
39) Then many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman, who said, AHe told me everything that I ever did.@ 40) When the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Jesus to stay with them, so He remained there for two days. 41) And many more people believed [in Jesus] because of His [own] words, 42) and they said to the woman, ANow we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard [it] for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world.@
43) Two days later Jesus left Sychar and went to Galilee. 44) For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet does not receive honor in his own country. [Note: Jesus= reference here to his Aown country@ means Judea, while in Matt., Mark and Luke it refers to Nazareth]. 45) So, when He got to Galilee, the people there welcomed Him, for they had also gone to the [Passover] Festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything He had done there during the festival.
46) Then Jesus returned again to Cana, in Galilee, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official there whose son was sick at Capernaum [Note: Capernaum was about 20 miles away from Cana]. 47) When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to come down [to Capernaum] and heal his son who was about to die. 48) So, Jesus said to him, ANone of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?].@ 49) The government official replied, ASir, [please] come down [to Capernaum] before my child dies.@ 50) Jesus said to him, AGo on [home]; your son will live.@ And the man believed what Jesus said to him and went [home].
51) While he was going along, his slaves met him and told him that his son was [still] alive. 52) Then he asked them what the [exact] time was when his son began to get better. They said to him, A[It was] yesterday at seven o=clock in the morning that the fever left him.@ [Note: This would have been 1 PM, if Jewish time were meant]. 53) So [then], the father realized that it was at that [exact] hour that Jesus had said to him, AYour son will live.@ So, he and his entire family believed [in Jesus].
54) [Now] this was the second [miraculous] sign that Jesus performed after going from Judea to Galilee.
CHAPTER FIVE
1) After these things Jesus went up to Jerusalem to [attend] a Jewish festival.
2) Now in Jerusalem there was a pool of water near the Sheep Gate [Note: This was a city gate in the north wall]. It had five porticos [i.e., covered open areas along the outside of the Temple]. In the Hebrew language it was called Bethesda. 3) Under these porticos a large number of sick, blind, crippled and deformed people were placed {{A few ancient authorities add Ato wait for the water [of the pool] to become choppy. 4) For an angel of the Lord came down to the pool [from heaven] at certain times and stirred up the water. Then the first person to enter the pool after the water became choppy was healed from whatever disease he had.@}} 5) And a certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years [Note: He was probably a crippled person]. 6) When Jesus saw him lying [there by the pool], and knew that he had been [in that condition] a long time, He said to him, ADo you want to get well?@ 7) The sick man answered Him, ASir, I do not have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but [just] when I am about to enter [it] someone else goes down [into the water] before me.@ 8) [So], Jesus said to him, AGet up; pick up your cot and walk.@ 9) And immediately the man was made well and picked up his cot and walked.
Now this happened on the Sabbath day. 10) So, the Jews said to the man who was healed, AIt is not permissible for you to pick up your cot because it is the Sabbath day.@ 11) But he replied to them, AThe same man who made me well said to me, >Pick up your cot and walk.=@ 12) [Then] they asked him, AWho is this man who said to you, >Pick up your cot and walk?'" 13) But the man who was healed did not know who it was, because Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
14) Later on Jesus found the man in the Temple, and said to him, ALook, you have been made well; stop sinning or else something worse [i.e., than the handicap you had] will happen to you.@ 15) [Then] the man left and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16) So, for this reason the Jews began persecuting Jesus, because He did these [kinds of] things on the Sabbath day. 17) But Jesus said to them, AMy Father is continuing to work and I am working.@ 18) So, for this reason the Jews looked for more [opportunities] to kill Him, because He not only broke Sabbath day [restrictions], but also He had called God His own Father, [thereby] making Himself equal with God.
19) So, Jesus said to them, ATruly, truly, I tell you, the Son [of God] cannot do anything on His own [i.e., independently of the Father]; but [He does] what He sees His Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does as well. 20) For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him everything that He Himself does; and He will show Him [even] greater deeds [i.e., more extensive in scope] than these [i.e., than merely healing a crippled man], so that you people will be amazed. 21) For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them [renewed] life [for their bodies ?], even so the Son also gives [renewed] life to [the spirits ?] of whoever He wants to. 22) For the Father does not judge anyone, but He has given [full responsibility for] judging people to His Son, 23) so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The person who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24) ATruly, truly, I tell you, the person who listens to my message and believes [in] the One who sent me [i.e., God] has never ending life [i.e., as a hope. See Titus 1:2; 3:7]. He will not be judged [and condemned], but has [already] passed from being [spiritually] dead to being [spiritually] alive. 25) Truly, truly, I tell you, the time is coming, and is now [actually] here, when those who are [spiritually] dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear [i.e., and heed His message] will have [spiritual] life. 26) For [just] as the Father is Himself [the source of] life, in the same way He gave to His Son also [the power] to be [the source of] life. 27) And He gave His Son authority to carry out judgment [upon mankind] because He is the Son of man [Note: The Greek actually says Aa son of man@].
28) ADo not be surprised at this: The time is coming when all those who are in their graves will hear His voice 29) and they will come out [i.e., in the general resurrection on the last day]. Those who had done what was good will be raised [from the dead] to [never ending] life; and those who had done what was evil will be raised [from the dead] to judgment [i.e., to be condemned].
30) AI cannot do anything by my own [authority]. I judge [people] based on what I hear [i.e., from the Father] and my judgment [of them] is just, because I do not look for what I want [to do], but for what He who sent me [i.e., God] wants. 31) If I testify about myself, my testimony is not [considered] true. 32) [But] there is Someone else [i.e., God] who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony He gives about me is true.
33) AYou people have sent to John [the Immerser, for information. See 1:19] and he has given true testimony [about me]. 34) But I do not rely on the testimony of men about me; therefore I tell you these things so you will be saved [i.e., from condemning judgment. See verse 29]. 35) John was the lamp that was burning and glowing and you people were willing to enjoy the light that he projected for awhile. 36) But my testimony is greater than John=s. For the deeds the Father has given me to complete, the very deeds I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. 37) And the Father who sent me testifies concerning me. You people have never heard His voice nor seen His form. 38) And you do not keep His message living in your [hearts], for you do not believe [in] the One whom God sent [i.e., in Jesus]. 39) You search through the Scriptures [i.e., the Old Testament], because you think that you will [learn how to] have never ending life by [reading] them. And these Scriptures are what testify concerning me. 40) But you do not want to come to me [i.e., to believe in me. See verse 38] so that you will have [never ending] life.
41) AI do not accept honor from mankind, 42) but I know you [well enough], that you do not have a love for God within you. 43) I have come in my Father=s name [i.e., by His authority] and you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name [i.e., by his own authority], you will accept him. 44) How can you believe [in me] when you [offer and] accept honors from one another, but do not try to obtain the honor that comes from the only God?
45) ADo not think that I will accuse you [of wrongdoing] before the Father; Moses, on whom you have set your hope [i.e., you base your acceptance with God on the promises found in Moses= writings], he is the one who accuses you [i.e., in his writings]. 46) For if you believed Moses= [writings], you would [also] believe in me, for he wrote about me. [See Deut. 18:15-19]. 47) But if you do not believe his writings, how do you expect to believe my message?@
CHAPTER SIX
1) After these things happened Jesus went across to the east side of Lake Galilee, also called Lake Tiberias. [Note: This lake also bore a name honoring the Roman Emperor Tiberias]. 2) And a large crowd followed Him because they had seen the [miraculous] signs He had performed on sick people. 3) Then Jesus went up to a high plateau [Note: This place, northeast of Lake Galilee, is called AThe Golan Heights,@ today] and sat down there with His disciples.
4) Now the time for the Jewish Passover Festival was getting close. 5) So Jesus, looking up and seeing a large crowd coming to Him, said to Philip [Note: He was one of the apostles, whose home town was at nearby Bethsaida. See 1:44], AWhere are we going to buy [enough] bread, so that this crowd can eat?@ 6) Now He said this to test Philip, for He [already] knew what He was going to do. 7) Philip answered Him, ANot even two hundred coins= worth of bread would be enough to feed them if everyone ate only a little bit.@ [Note: The amount here indicated was two hundred days of a farm laborer=s pay, or about $14,000 in 1994].
8) [Then] one of His disciples, named Andrew, [who was] Simon Peter=s brother, said to Him, 9) AThere is a little boy here who has five [small] loaves of barley bread and two [probably smoked] fish. But what is this amount for [feeding] so many people?@ 10) Jesus answered, AHave these people recline [on the ground].@ Now there was a lot of grass in that place. So, the men, numbering about five thousand, reclined [on the grass]. 11) Then Jesus took the loaves of bread, and [after] giving thanks [to God], He distributed [pieces] to those who were reclining. He did the same thing with the fish, [giving them] as much as they wanted.
12) And when the people were [all] full, Jesus said to His disciples, AGather up the broken pieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted.@ 13) So, they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces left over from the five loaves of barley bread which they had eaten.
14) So, when the people saw the [miraculous] sign that Jesus had performed [i.e., the feeding of the large crowd with such a small amount of food], they said, ATruly, this is the prophet who was to come into the world.@ [Note: This was probably a reference to the promise made in Deut. 18:15-19]. 15) So, [when] Jesus knew that the people were about to come and forcibly take Him and make Him [their] king, He left there again and went to the high plateau [to be] alone [i.e., to pray. See Mark 6:46].
16) Then when evening came, His disciples went down to the lake 17) and got into their boat, and were crossing over [i.e., to the west side of] the lake toward Capernaum. It was dark by now and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18) Then the water became choppy because of a strong wind that had begun to blow. 19) And when the disciples had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the [surface of the] water. They became afraid as Jesus got closer to their boat. 20) But He said to them, ADo not be afraid; it is I.@ 21) So, they eagerly took Him into their boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading [i.e., to Capernaum, on the northwest side of the lake].
22) On the next day the crowd that had stayed on the other [i.e., east] side of the lake realized that there had been only one boat there. They [also] knew that Jesus was not aboard the boat when it left with the disciples in it, but that they had left without Him. 23) (However, meanwhile, some other [small] boats had come from Tiberias [i.e., a small town on the west side of the lake] near where they had eaten bread after the Lord had given thanks). 24) So, when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there [i.e., on the east side] they got into the [small] boats and sailed [west] to Capernaum, looking for Jesus.
25) And when they found Him on the other [i.e., west] side, they said to Him, ARabbi, how did you get here?@ 26) Jesus answered them, ATruly, truly, I tell you, you people are looking for me because you got to eat the loaves of bread and were satisfied and not because you saw [miraculous] signs [See verse 14]. 27) Do not work for the [kind of] food that spoils, but for the kind that lasts until never ending life. The Son of man will give you this [kind of food], for God the Father has placed His seal [of approval] on Him.@ 28) Then the people said to Jesus, AWhat must we do in order to perform the deeds that God requires?@ 29) Jesus answered them, AThis is the deed that God requires: You should believe in Him whom God has sent [i.e., in Jesus].@ 30) And they said to Him, AWhat kind of a [miraculous] sign will you perform so that we can see it and [then] believe [in] you? What [kind of] deed will you perform? 31) Our forefathers ate the [supernatural] >manna= in the desert, as it is written [Neh. 9:15], >He gave them bread from heaven to eat.=@ 32) So Jesus said to them, ATruly, truly, I tell you, it was not [really] Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who is [now] giving you the real bread from heaven. 33) For the bread God gives is the One [see verse 35] who comes down from heaven, and [He] gives [spiritual] life to the world.@ 34) Then they said to Him, ASir, [please] give us this bread all the time.@
35) Jesus replied, AI am the bread who gives [spiritual] life; the person who comes to me will never get hungry [again], and the one who believes in me will never get thirsty [again]. 36) But I have told you this: You have seen me and yet do not believe [in me]. 37) Every person [Note: The Greek says, Aevery thing@] whom the Father gives me will [eventually] come to me [i.e., for salvation]; and I will never turn away that person who comes to me. 38) For I have come down from heaven to do what God, who sent me, wants me to do, not what I want to do. 39) And this is what God, who sent me, wants: That I should not lose any of those persons whom He has given me, but should raise them up [from the dead] on the last day [i.e., the judgment day]. 40) And this is what [else] my Father wants: That every person who sees the Son [i.e., with the eye of faith] and believes in Him should have never ending life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.@
41) So the Jews, [who were assembled in the synagogue. See verse 59] began complaining about Jesus because He had said; AI am the bread that came down from heaven.@ 42) And they said, AIs not this Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, >I have come down from heaven=?@ 43) Jesus answered them, AStop complaining among yourselves. 44) No one can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, attracts him to me. [See verse 65]. And I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day. 45) It is written in the prophets [Isa. 54:13], >And they will all be taught by God.= [So], every person who has heard the Father and learned [from Him] will come to me. 46) [I am] not [saying] that anyone has [ever] seen the Father, except the One who is from God [i.e., Jesus] has seen Him. 47) Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes [in me] has never ending life [See note on 5:24]. 48) I am the bread of life. 49) Your forefathers ate the >manna= in the desert and died. 50) [But] this is the bread that has come down from heaven [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself], so that a person who eats of it [i.e., believes in Jesus] will not die [spiritually]. 51) I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Yes, and the bread that I will give [him] is my physical body, [so] that the world can have [never ending] life.@
52) Then the Jews [who were assembled in the synagogue. See verse 59] began arguing bitterly with one another, saying, AHow can this man give us his physical body to eat?@ 53) So, Jesus answered them, ATruly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the physical body of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have [spiritual] life in yourselves [Note: The references to Abody@ and Ablood@ throughout this section allude to taking Jesus= life and teaching into one=s heart. See verse 56]. 54) The person who eats my physical body and drinks my blood has never ending life [See note on 5:24], and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day [i.e., the judgment day]. 55) For my physical body is real food and my blood is [the] real drink. 56) The person who eats my physical body and drinks my blood lives in me and I [live] in him. 57) Just as the living Father has sent me, and I have [physical and spiritual] life because of the Father, so the person who eats me will also have [physical? and spiritual] life because of me. 58) This is the bread that came down from heaven [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself]. [It is] not like [the bread] our forefathers ate and [then] died. The person who eats this bread will live forever.@ 59) Jesus said these things in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
60) So, when they heard [these things], many of Jesus= disciples said, AThis is difficult teaching. Who can listen to it [i.e., and accept it]?@
61) But Jesus, knowing within Himself that His disciples were complaining about His teaching, said to them, ADoes this [teaching] bother you? 62) Then what if you were to see the Son of man going up [i.e., to heaven] where He was before? 63) It is the Holy Spirit who [Note: The Greek word here is Athat@ instead of Awho@] gives life [i.e., understanding the spiritual nature of Jesus= teaching can produce spiritual life]; the flesh is of no value [i.e., understanding Jesus= teaching only in a physical sense makes it worthless]. The words I have spoken to you are [from the] Holy Spirit and [they give] life. 64) But there are some of you who do not believe [in me].@ For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones would not believe [in Him] and which one would turn Him over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities]. 65) Then He said, AThis is the reason I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father gives him [the opportunity. See verse 44].@
66) Upon [hearing] this, many of Jesus= disciples turned back and refused to accompany Him anymore. [Note: They deserted Jesus physically as well as spiritually]. 67) Therefore, Jesus said to the twelve apostles, ADo you not want to go [with me] either?@ 68) Simon Peter answered Him, ALord, who [else] could we go to? You have the message about never ending life. 69) And we apostles have believed [in you] and know that you are God=s Holy One.@ 70) Jesus answered them, ADid I not choose [all] twelve of you, and one of you is a devil?@ [Note: The word Adevil@ means Aadversary@ or Aopponent@]. 71) Now He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he was the one, out of the twelve, who was [soon] going to turn Jesus over [to the Jewish authorities].
CHAPTER SEVEN
1) Then after these things happened, Jesus traveled in Galilee [only], for He did not want to move around in Judea because the Jews [there] were trying to kill Him. 2) Now it was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles [Note: This was also called AFestival of Shelters,@ and was one of three principal, annual Jewish festivals and commemorated the occasion of the Israelites living in tents or shelters during their forty year wandering in the desert]. 3) Then Jesus= [half-] brothers said to Him, AYou should leave here and go to Judea so your disciples [there] can see the [supernatural] deeds you are performing. 4) For no one does things secretly if he wants to become known publicly. Since you are doing such things, show yourself to the world.@ 5) For even Jesus= [half-] brothers did not believe in Him [i.e., at that time].
6) So, Jesus said to them, AMy time has not yet come [i.e., to be revealed to the world as its Savior], but it is always your time [i.e., they could go to the festival anytime without rousing opposition]. 7) The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about its deeds, that they are evil. 8) You men go [on] up to the festival, but I am not going up yet [Note: Although Ayet@ appears in only a few manuscripts, it seems to be the proper idea here], because my time has not yet come. [See verse 6]. 9) Then after saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee [i.e., for awhile longer. See next verse].
10) But after His [half-] brothers had gone up to the Festival, Jesus also went up, but secretly instead of openly. 11) So, the Jews [i.e., their authorities] began searching for Him at the Festival, and were saying, AWhere is he?@
12) And there was much whispering about Him among the crowds. Some were saying, AHe is a good man,@ [but] others said, ANo [he is not], he is [just] deceiving the crowd.@ 13) However, no one said anything about Him openly for fear of the Jews.
14) But when the Festival was about half over, Jesus went up into the Temple and began teaching. 15) Now the Jewish authorities were amazed, saying, AHow can this man know so much, since he has never been educated?@ 16) So, Jesus answered them, AWhat I am teaching is not mine, but [it belongs] to Him who sent me [i.e., to God]. 17) If anyone [really] desires to do what God wants, he will know whether my teaching comes from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority [only]. 18) The person who speaks on his own authority is [just] trying to gain honor for himself. But the One who tries to gain honor from God, who sent Him, is [committed to] truth, and there is nothing false in His heart. 19) Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet not one of you is obeying it? Why are you trying to kill me?@ 20) [Someone from] the crowd answered, AYou have an evil spirit [in you]; who is trying to kill you?@ 21) Jesus answered them, AI performed one [miraculous] deed and you were all amazed by it [i.e., the healing of the crippled man on the Sabbath day. See 5:1-9]. 22) [Now] Moses gave you [the ordinance of] circumcision and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath day. (Although it was [first] required by [your] forefathers and not Moses). 23) If a person is circumcised on a Sabbath day so that the Law of Moses can be observed [properly, then why] are you upset with me for restoring a person to complete health on a Sabbath day? 24) Do not make judgments based [merely] on how things look, but make judgments on how they really are.@
25) Some of the people of Jerusalem said [about Jesus], AIs not this person the one they are trying to kill? 26) And look, he is speaking openly and they are not saying anything to him [about it]. Can it be that the [Jewish] authorities know that he really is the Messiah [i.e., the Christ, God=s specially chosen one]? 27) However, we know where this man comes from, but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.@
28) As Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He spoke out, and said, AYou people [think you] know who I am and where I come from. I have not come on my own authority, but God, who sent me, is true and you do not know Him. 29) I know Him because I came from Him, for He sent me.@
30) Then they [i.e., the authorities] tried to arrest Jesus, but no one laid a hand on Him because His time had not yet come. 31) But many people in the crowd believed in Him, saying, AWhen the Messiah does come, will he perform more [miraculous] signs than this man has done?@
32) The Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, so the leading priests and Pharisees sent some Temple guards to arrest Him. 33) Therefore, Jesus said, AI will be with you for a little while longer, then I will go to the Father who sent me. 34) You people will be looking for me, but you will not find me; and you will not be able to go where I will be.@ 35) The Jews [i.e., the authorities] were saying among themselves, AWhere will this man go that we will not be able to find him? Will he go where the Jewish people are scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36) What did he mean by saying, >You people will be looking for me, but will not find me; and you will not be able to go where I will be?=@
37) Now on the last and greatest day of the Festival [of Tabernacles], Jesus stood up and spoke out, AIf anyone is thirsty he should come to me for a drink. 38) As the Scripture has recorded [Note: The following is not an exact quotation from the OT, but echoes Isa. 58:11 and Zech. 14:8], >Streams of life-giving water will flow from the person=s heart who believes in me.=@ 39) Now He said this about the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive [See Acts 2:38]. For [at that time] the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet received splendor [in heaven]. 40) When they heard these words some people in the crowd said, ATruly, this man is the prophet@ [See note on 1:21]. 41) Others said, AHe is the Christ.@ But [still] others said, AWhat [do you mean]? The Christ will not come from Galilee, [will he]? 42) Does not Scripture say [Micah 5:2] that the Christ will come as the descendant of King David, and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?@ 43) So, a division arose among people in the crowd over Jesus. 44) Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one [attempted to] lay a hand on Him.
45) So, [when] the Temple guards [See verse 32] returned to the leading priests and Pharisees, they were asked, AWhy did you not bring Jesus here?@ 46) The guards answered, ANo one has ever spoken like this man.@ 47) The Pharisees replied, AAre you being led astray, too? 48) Have any of the authorities or Pharisees believed in him? 49) But this crowd, which does not know the Law of Moses, [and especially its oral traditions], is cursed [by God].@
50) [Now] Nicodemus (being a leading Pharisee, and the one who went to talk to Jesus one night), said to them, 51) ADoes our law pass judgment on a man before first hearing from him and learning what he did?@ 52) They answered him, AAre you from Galilee, too? Search [the Scriptures], and you will see that no prophet will come from Galilee.@ [Note: They were probably referring to Athe prophet@ predicted to come by Moses. Deut. 18:15].
{{Most ancient manuscripts do not contain the section from 7:53 through 8:11, or else place it elsewhere in the book. 53) Then everyone went home,
CHAPTER EIGHT
1) but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [Note: This was located on a slope just east of Jerusalem]. 2) Then early [the next] morning Jesus went into the Temple again. All the people gathered around Him and He sat down and began teaching them. 3) Some experts in the Law of Moses and Pharisees brought [to Him] a woman who had been caught committing an immoral sexual act and stood her in the middle of the group. 4) They said to Jesus, AThis woman was caught in the very act of sexual immorality. 5) Now in the Law, Moses required us to stone such people [to death], so what do you say [should be done with her]?@ 6) They said this to test Him, in order to have a charge to bring against Him.
But Jesus stooped down and wrote [something] on the ground [i.e., in the dirt] with His finger. 7) But when they continued asking Him [about the woman], He stood up and said to them, AThat person among you who has never sinned should be the first one to throw a stone at her.@ 8) Then He stooped down again and wrote [something else] on the ground.
9) And when they heard [what He had said], they [all] left, one at a time, beginning with the oldest men. So, Jesus was left alone with the woman [still standing] there where she was. 10) So, Jesus stood up [again] and said to her, A[My dear] woman, where are the men? Did not any of them [stay to] condemn you?@ 11) She replied, ANo sir, no one did.@ Then Jesus said, A[Well], I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on, do not sin anymore.@}}
12) So, Jesus spoke to them again [i.e., to the Jewish authorities. See 7:45], saying, AI am the light of the world. The person who becomes my follower will never live in [spiritual] darkness, but have the light of [i.e., for his] life [i.e., followers of Jesus will not live in error and sin but in truth and righteousness].@ 13) The Pharisees then said to Him, A[Since] you are giving testimony about yourself; your testimony is not true.@ 14) Jesus replied to them, AEven if I do give testimony about myself, it is [still] true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you people do not know where I came from or where I am going. 15) You pass judgment according to human standards; I do not judge anyone [i.e., the way you do it]. 16) And even if I do pass judgment, my judgment is true because I am not alone, for the Father who sent me is with me. 17) Even in your Law it is written [Deut. 19:15] that the testimony of two people is true. 18) I am one who gives testimony about myself, and the Father who sent me [is the second witness who] testifies about me.@
19) So, the Jewish authorities said to Him, AWhere is your father?@ Jesus answered; AYou people do not know me or my Father. If you [did] know me, you would know my Father also.@ 20) Jesus spoke these words in the treasury [area of the Temple]. And no one arrested Him because His time had not yet come [i.e., to be turned over to the authorities and killed].
21) Jesus again said to them, AI am going away and you will look for me, but you will die [condemned] in your sins. You cannot go where I am going.@ 22) So, the Jews asked [one another], AWill he kill himself, because he said, >You cannot go where I am going=?@ 23) Jesus replied, AYou people are from below [i.e., from the earthly realm]; I am from above [i.e., from the heavenly realm]. You belong to this world; I do not belong to this world. 24) Therefore I said to you that you will die [condemned] in your sins. For unless you believe that I am [the Messiah, who came from above. See verse 23], you will die [condemned] in your sins.@ 25) So, they said to Him, AWho are you?@ Jesus answered, AWhy am I even speaking to you at all? [Note: The Greek words of this difficult passage are not real clear]. 26) I have many things to say about you and [many] judgments to pass on you. However, God, who sent me, is truthful and I am telling the world [only] the things I have heard from Him.@
27) The people [who heard this] did not understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father. 28) So, Jesus said, AWhen you have lifted up the Son of man [i.e., to crucify Him], then you will know that I am [the Messiah] and that I do not do anything on my own authority, but I speak [only] those things that the Father has taught me. 29) And God, who sent me, is with me; He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to Him.@ 30) When He said these things, many people believed in Him.
31) Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed [in Him], AIf you people continue [obeying] my message, then you are truly my disciples. 32) And you will know what the truth is and the truth will set you free [i.e. from bondage to sin].@ 33) They replied to Him, AWe are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, >You will be set free=?@ 34) Jesus answered them, ATruly, truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35) Now the slave does not remain part of the family forever, [but] the son does. 36) Therefore, if the Son sets you free [from sin], you will be truly free. 37) I know that you people are [all] descendants of Abraham; yet you are trying to kill me because you will not allow my message to affect you. 38) I am telling [you] about what I have seen in my Father=s presence; but you [should] do what you have heard from your father.@ 39) They answered Him, AOur forefather was Abraham.@ Jesus replied to them, AIf you were Abraham=s descendants, you would do the [kinds of] deeds that Abraham did. 40) But instead, you are trying to kill me, a man who has [only] told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this [kind of thing]. 41) You people are doing what your father does.@ They said to Him, AWe were not born illegitimately; the only Father we have is God.@ 42) Jesus replied, AIf God were [truly] your Father you would love me, because I came from God to be here. For I did not come on my own authority, but God sent me. 43) Why do you people not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot [bear to] listen to my message. 44) You belong to your father the devil, and you are [always] wanting to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the [very] beginning [Note: This is probably a reference to Satan=s influence on Adam, Eve and Cain in the Garden of Eden] and does not stand for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he only speaks what is part of his nature, because he is a liar and the father of [all] liars. 45) But because I tell [you] the truth, you do not believe me. 46) Which one of you can prove me guilty of sinning? If I tell you the truth, why do you not believe me? 47) The person who belongs to God listens to the message from God. The reason you will not listen to it is because you do not belong to God.@
48) The Jews answered and said to Jesus, AWere we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan [See note on 4:9], and are dominated by an evil spirit?@ 49) Jesus answered; AI am not dominated by an evil spirit. But I give honor to my Father and you people dishonor me. 50) I am not looking for personal honor; but there is One who is looking for it [i.e., God], and He judges people [fairly]. 51) Truly, truly, I tell you, if a person obeys my message, he will never die [i.e., spiritually].@
52) The Jews [i.e., the authorities] replied, ANow we know that you are dominated by an evil spirit. Abraham and the prophets [all] died and [yet] you are saying, >If a person obeys my message, he will never experience death.= 53) Are you greater [i.e., more important] than our forefather Abraham and the prophets, who [all] died? Who do you think you are?@ 54) Jesus answered them, AIf I were to honor myself, that honor would be worthless. [But] it is my Father who honors me [and] you say He is your God. 55) Now you people have not known Him [i.e., to be your Lord], but I know Him. And if I should say, >I do not know Him= I would be a liar like you. But I [do] know Him, and I obey His message. 56) Your forefather Abraham was glad that he could look forward to my day [i.e., by faith he anticipated the coming of the Messiah. See Heb. 11:13ff]. And he saw it [by faith] and was glad.@ 57) So, the Jews said to Him, AYou are not even fifty years old [yet] and have you seen Abraham?@ 58) Jesus answered them, ATruly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.@ [Note: The words AI am@ were probably construed as a reference to being Deity. See Ex. 3:14]. 59) So, they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself [or Awas hidden,@ suggesting a miraculous departure] and left the Temple [area].
CHAPTER NINE
1) As Jesus was walking along He saw a man [who had been] blind from birth. 2) His disciples asked Him, ARabbi, did this man sin or was it his parents= [sin] that caused him to be born blind?@ 3) Jesus answered, A[It was] neither his sin nor his parents= [sin], but [it happened] so that the deeds of God could be seen in his life. 4) While it is still daytime we must perform the acts of God, who sent me. Nighttime is coming, when no one can act. 5) While I am in the world I am the light of the world.@
6) After He had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then He put the mud on the man=s eyes 7) and said to him, A[Now] go and wash in the pool of Siloam (which means Asent@). So, the man left and washed [in the pool], and [when he] returned, [he was] able to see.
8) Then the neighbors, who had seen the man begging previously, said, AIs not this the man who [used to] sit there and beg?@ 9) Other people said, A[Yes], that is him,@ while [still] others said, ANo, [it is not]; he [just] looks like him.@ The man said, AI am the one, [all right].@ 10) So, they said to him, AHow was your sight restored, then?@ 11) He answered, AThat man called Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes; then He said to me, >Go to Siloam and wash [yourself].= So, I went and washed and my sight was [miraculously] restored.@ 12) Then the people said to the man, AWhere is he?@ AI do not know,@ he replied.
13) [So], they brought the man, who had been blind, to the Pharisees. 14) Now it was the Sabbath day when Jesus had made the mud and restored the man=s sight. 15) So, the Pharisees also asked him again how his sight was restored. He said to them, AHe put mud on my eyes; I washed [myself], and [now] I can see.@ 16) Some of the Pharisees then said, AThe man who did this is not from God, because he does not observe the Sabbath day. But other people said, AHow could a man who is a sinner do such [miraculous] signs?@ And the people were divided among themselves [over the issue]. 17) So, they said to the [former] blind man again, AWhat do you have to say about the man, since [you say] he restored your sight?@ The man replied AHe is a prophet.@ 18) But these Jews [i.e., Pharisees] did not believe that the man had been blind and had received his sight back until they called his parents 19) and asked them, AIs this your son, whom you say was born blind? How [is it] then, that he can now see?@ 20) His parents answered, AWe know this is our son and that he was born blind. 21) But as to how it is that he can now see, we do not know; and we do not know who restored his sight [either]. Ask him, for he is old enough and can answer for himself.@ 22) His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities who had already decided that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be expelled from the synagogue. 23) So, his parents said,