1. What two persons did the Jews want to stone? They first wanted to stone the woman taken in adultery. They later wanted to stone Jesus when He told them that God is His Father. They started out wanting to stone the guilty and ended by wanting to stone God’s Son.
2. Why did Jesus write on the ground? Jesus did not write on the ground because He needed time to think but most likely did so so that those looking on would have time to think.
3. Where was the man who was in adultery with the woman? The man with the woman taken in adultery was not there and is never identified. The Pharisees and scribes would have known his identity since they were caught in the act. Dr. Towns supports the hypothesis that the Pharisees may have set up the whole event as a plot against Jesus. First, the man was not there. Second, they brought the woman to Jesus rather than to the courts. The woman probably was not part of such a plot, however, since she would have most likely lost her life. But the man could have been someone else who was let go or even one of those who plotted against Him.
4. What did Jesus mean "without sin" (v. 7)? He may have been referring to the plot which might have been against Him. If it were true, since He is omniscient, He would have known all about it. Therefore, He may have been saying that the one of them not guilty of the plot should cast the first stone. He may also have been just making a general statement about being sinful altogether.
5. What was the source of the statement, "I am the Light"? This event happened on the Monday following the Feast of Tabernacles. The light to which He compared Himself could have been the light of the feast which brought joy to the people. He could have been referring back to the wilderness and the light from the fire in the sky, which was a symbol of God’s presence. The word light was always used to refer to the Messiah, and He may have simply been making the claim about Himself. The light could be a general reference to the rising sun and the early morning light of dawn.
6. Who did Jesus suggest was the Father of the Jews? He told them their father was the devil, the manslayer and father of lies.
7. Why did the Jews call Jesus a Samaritan? The Jews were so angry at Him that they cast the worst verbal condemnation on Him that they could. To be a Samaritan was the ultimate insult.
8. How does this chapter prove the Deity of Jesus? Jesus knew about the plot against Him, if indeed there was one. He knew that a person would live eternally by following His Word. He identified Himself as the “I Am.” He told the crowd that He knew the Father.
9. How did Jesus pass through those attempting to stone Him? He might have made Himself invisible, He might have distorted their vision so they could not see Him, or most likely, He simply slipped through crowd and got out of there.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 11 - Christ - The Light Of The World (In Physical Darkness)
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