A.T. Robertson Commentary John 8
A.T. Robertson Commentary
John 8
A.T. Robertson Commentary
John 8
"but Jesus went unto the mount of Olives." — John 8:1 (ASV)
But Jesus went (Ιησους δε επορευθη). Same deponent use of πορευομα as in 7:53 and in contrast to the Sanhedrin's conduct, though it seems "pointless" (Dods). Apparently Jesus was lodging in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
"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." — John 8:2 (ASV)
Early in the morning (ορθρου). Genitive of time, ορθρος meaning daybreak, old word, not in John, though in Lu 24:1; Acts 5:21. John uses πρω (18:28; 20:1; 21:4).
He came again into the temple (παλιν παρεγενετο εις το ιερον). If the paragraph is genuine, the time is the next day after the eighth and last day of the feast. If not genuine, there is no way of telling the time of this apparently true incident.
And all the people came unto him (κα πας ο λαος ηρχετο προς αυτον). Imperfect middle of ερχομα picturing the enthusiasm of the whole (πας) crowd now as opposed to the divisions in chapter 7.
Taught (εδιδασκεν). Imperfect active of διδασκω. He took his seat (καθισας, ingressive active participle of καθιζω) as was customary for Jesus and began to teach (inchoative imperfect). So the picture.
"And the scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst," — John 8:3 (ASV)
The scribes and the Pharisees (ο γραμματεις κα ο Φαρισαιο). John does not mention "scribes," though this combination (note two articles) is common enough in the Synoptics (Luke 5:30; 6:7, etc.).
Bring (αγουσιν). Vivid dramatic present active indicative of αγω. Dods calls this "in itself an unlawful thing to do" since they had a court for the trial of such a case. Their purpose is to entrap Jesus.
Taken in adultery (επ μοιχεια κατειλεμμενην). Perfect passive participle of καταλαμβανω, old compound to seize , to catch, to overtake (John 12:35), to overcome (or overtake) in 1:5.
Having let her in the midst (στησαντες αυτην εν μεσω). First aorist active (transitive) participle of ιστημ. Here all could see her and what Jesus did with such a case. They knew his proneness to forgive sinners.
"they say unto him, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act." — John 8:4 (ASV)
Hath been taken (κατειληπτα). Perfect passive indicative of καταλαμβανω (see verse 3), caught and still guilty.
In adultery (μοιχευομενη). Present passive participle of μοιχευω, "herself suffering adultery" (Matthew 5:32). Used of married people. Not in John.
In the very act (επ' αυτοφωρω). Old adjective (αυτοφωροσ, αυτος, self, and φωρ, thief) caught in the act of theft, then extended to any crime in which one is caught. Old idiom, but not elsewhere in the Greek Bible. One example in a Berlin papyrus.
"Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her?" — John 8:5 (ASV)
Commanded (ενετειλατο). First aorist middle indicative of εντελλω, old verb to enjoin (Matthew 4:6).
To stone such (τας τοιαυτας λιθαζειν). Present active infinitive of λιθαζω (from λιθος), from Aristotle on. Stoning was specified for the case of a betrothed woman guilty of adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23f.) and for a priest's daughter if guilty. In other cases just death was commanded (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22). The Talmud prescribes strangulation. This case may have strictly come within the regulation as a betrothed virgin.
What then sayest thou of her? (συ ουν τ λεγεισ; ). "Thou then, what dost thou say?" This was the whole point, to catch Jesus, not to punish the woman.
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