John 8:1-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 8:1-11

Though Christ was basely abused in the foregoing chapter, both by the rulers and by the people, yet here we have him still at Jerusalem, still in the temple. How often would he have gathered them! Observe, I. His retirement in the evening out of the town (John 8:1): He went unto the mount of olives; whether to some friend's house, or to some booth pitched there, now at the feast of tabernacles, is not certain; whether he rested there, or, as some think, continued all night in prayer to God, we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:1

Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives. Which lay eastward of Jerusalem, about a mile from it; hither Christ went on the evening of the last day of the feast of tabernacles; partly to decline the danger, and avoid the snares the Jews might lay for him in the night season; having been disappointed and confounded in the daytime; and it may be for the sake of recreation and diversion, to sup with his dear friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, who lived at Bethany, not far from this mount; and chiefly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:2

And early in the morning he came again into the temple ,.... Which shows his diligence, constancy, and assiduity, in his ministerial work, as well as his courage and intrepidity; being fearless of his enemies, though careful to give them no advantage against him, before his time: and all the people came unto him ; which also commends the industry and diligence of his hearers, who were forward to hear him, and were early at the temple for that purpose, and that in great numbers: and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:3

And the Scribes and Pharisees ,.... The members of the sanhedrim, who had been so miserably disappointed the day before, were no less diligent and industrious in their wicked way, seeking all opportunities, and taking all advantages against Christ; and fancying they had got something whereby to ensnare him, and bring him into disgrace or danger, they pursue it; and brought unto him a woman taken in adultery ; who, as some conjecture, might have been taken in it the day before, in one of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:4

They say unto him, Master ,.... They applied to him in a handsome and respectful manner, the better to cover their ill design: this woman was taken in adultery ; by two persons at least, who could be witnesses of it; otherwise the accusation was not legal; see Deuteronomy 19:15 ; though in the case of a wife suspected of adultery, they admitted a single witness as valid F6 Maimon. Hilchot Eduth, c. 5. sect. 2. : in the very act ; or "in the theft itself", for adultery is a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:5

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should, be stoned ,.... Not in Leviticus 20:10 ; for though according to the law there, an adulteress, one that was a married woman, and so an adulterer, that was a married man, were to be put to death; yet the death was not stoning, but strangling; for it is a rule with the Jews F7 Maimon. Hilchot Issure Bia, c. 1. sect. 6. , that where death is simply mentioned (without restraining it to any particular kind) strangling is intended, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:6

This they said, tempting him ,.... For they brought this woman, and exposed her in this manner, not because of their abhorrence and detestation of the sin; nor did they put the above question to Christ, out of their great respect to the law of Moses; which in many instances, and so in this, they in a great measure made void, by their traditions; for they say, that for such an offence as adultery, they did not put to death, nor beat, unless there was a previous admonition; the use of which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:7

So when they continued asking him ,.... For observing that he put himself in such a posture, they concluded that they had puzzled and perplexed him, and that he knew not what to say; and therefore they were more urgent for a speedy answer, hoping they should get an advantage of him; and that they should be able to expose him, and that his confusion would appear to all the people: he lift up himself and said unto them ; having raised up himself, he looked wistly at them, and returned them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:8

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. As before, having said enough to confound them; and yet unwilling to pursue the matter any further, or publicly expose them in any other way; and that they might have an opportunity of withdrawing themselves without any further notice of his, he took this method. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 8:9

And they which heard it ,.... Not all, not the disciples of Christ, nor the multitude, but the Scribes and Pharisees: being convicted by their own conscience ; that they were not without sin, nor free from this; they had a beam in their own eye, who were so forward to observe the mote in another's; and oftentimes so it is, that those who are most forward to reprove, and bear hardest on others for their sins, are as culpable in another way, if not in the same; when sin lies at the door,... read more

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