Notes: 

1. This episode was not originally in John's Gospel, since it is not found in the best and oldest manuscripts of John.

2. It is included in other places in some ancient biblical manuscripts (e.g., after Luke 21:38 or 24:53; or after John 7:36 or 21:25).

3. It was later inserted here, probably to illustrate the themes of John 8:15 (others judge by appearances, but Jesus does not condemn)

4. Its vocabulary and theology is not typically Johannine, but closer to the Synoptics (e.g., Mount of Olives, scribes, elders, adultery, etc., are not mentioned elsewhere in John, but frequently in the Mathew, Mark, and Luke)

Memorable Features:

1. The adulterous woman alone is singled out (vv. 3-4); where's the man with whom she was having intercourse?

2. Jesus writes on the ground (vv. 6, 8), leading to much speculation (was he just doodling? or what words did he write? each person's sins? some biblical quotations?)

3. Jesus challenges the accusers, "Let the sinless one among you be the first to throw a stone at her!" (v. 7)

4. Jesus comforts and admonishes the woman: "Has no one condemned you? Neither do I. Go, but don't sin any more!" (v. 11)

A: Jesus Disputes with the Pharisees (vv. 12-20)

• Narrator: Jesus spoke to them again... (v. 12a)

• Jesus: "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me... will have the light of life" (v. 12b)

• Pharisees: "You testify about yourself, which can't be verified" (v. 13)

• Jesus: (vv.14-18)

• They: "Where is your father?"(v. 19a)

• Jesus: "You know neither me nor my father; if you knew me, you would know him" (v. 19b)

• Narrator's Summary: He spoke in the temple treasury area; no one arrested him; his hour had not yet come (v. 20)

B: Jesus Disputes with the Jewish Authorities (vv. 21-30)

• Jesus: "I'm going away; you'll look for me; you'll die in your sin; where I'm going you can't come" (v. 21)

• Jews: "Is he going to kill himself?" (v. 22)

• Jesus: (vv. 23-24)

• They: "Who are you?" (v. 25a)

• Jesus: (vv. 25b-26)

• Narrator: (v. 27)

• Jesus: (vv. 28-29)

• Narrator: Many believed in him, because he said these things (v. 30)

Jesus and Abraham (8:31-59)

• Narrator introduces new dialogue partners: "those Jews who believed in him" (v. 31a)

• Jesus: (vv. 31b-32)

• They: (v. 33)

• Jesus: (vv. 34-38)

• They: (v. 39a)

• Jesus: (vv. 39b-41a)
• They: (v. 41b)
• Jesus: (vv. 42-47)
   
• The Jews: (v. 48)
• Jesus: (vv. 49-51)
• The Jews: (vv. 52-53)
• Jesus: (vv. 54-56)
• The Jews: (v. 57)
• Jesus: (v. 58)
• Narrator concludes: They tried to stone him; but Jesus hid and left the temple area (v. 59)

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