John 8: “Before Abraham Was, I Am”
1. The Woman Caught in Adultery
“Early in the morning He came again to the temple. All the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do You say?’” (Jn 8:2–5)
This account — the pericope adulterae — stands as one of the most beloved episodes in Scripture.
The Fathers recognised that, though some ancient manuscripts omit it, the Church received it by living tradition as inspired.
It is the Gospel of Mercy in miniature.
St Augustine famously wrote:
“The Lord left her accusers to shame, and the sinner to grace. Two were left: misery and mercy.” (Tractates on John XXXIII.5)
The trap was legal and moral: if Jesus upheld the Law’s penalty, He would seem merciless; if He refused, He would seem lawless.
2. Christ’s Silence and Writing on the Ground
“Jesus bent down and wrote with His finger on the ground.” (v. 6)
The gesture is mysterious. The Fathers saw many layers of meaning.
Writing with His finger recalls God writing the Law on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18).
On the ground — showing that divine mercy rewrites the Law upon the dust of human frailty.
St Jerome comments:
“He wrote on the earth, for He was writing the sins of the accusers, that each, reading his own, might depart.” (Commentary on Matthew IV)
Christ, the true Lawgiver, silently exposes conscience.
3. “Let Him Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Stone”
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (v. 7)
Jesus neither denies the Law nor contradicts it; He applies it to the heart.
He turns the Law outward into a mirror.
St Ambrose writes:
“He does not loose what Moses bound; He binds what they had loosed — the conscience.” (On Repentance II.5)
Convicted by conscience, they depart one by one, beginning with the eldest — age often bringing self-knowledge.
4. Mercy and Conversion
“Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.’” (vv. 9–11)
Mercy does not mean moral indifference. Christ forgives but commands repentance.
St Augustine’s line shines again:
“He condemned the sin, not the sinner. He said, ‘Go, and sin no more’ — that grace may forgive the past and strengthen the future.” (Tractates on John XXXIII.6)
This scene prefigures the Sacrament of Reconciliation: the sinner stands exposed, receives pardon, and departs renewed.
5. The Light of the World
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (v. 12)
Mercy flows into illumination. Having forgiven sin, Christ declares Himself Light — not merely moral light but uncreated light, divine revelation.
St John Chrysostom explains:
“He says not, ‘I show the light,’ but, ‘I am the Light.’ For He Himself is the illumination of souls.” (Homilies on John LIII.1)
To walk in the light means to live in grace — a life made radiant by truth.
6. The Witness of the Father
“The Pharisees said to Him, ‘You are bearing witness to Yourself; Your testimony is not true.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I bear witness to Myself, My testimony is true, for I know whence I have come and whither I am going.’” (vv. 13–14)
Here Jesus appeals to divine origin.
Human testimony may need validation, but the Son’s witness is the Father’s own.
St Bede comments:
“He who is Truth cannot testify falsely, for His witness and His being are one.” (Homilies on the Gospels I.19)
When Christ speaks, the Father’s voice is heard — the eternal “Amen” of divine truth.
7. The Question of the Father
“They said to Him, ‘Where is Your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.’” (v. 19)
Their blindness is not intellectual but spiritual.
To know the Son is to know the Father — the heart of Trinitarian revelation.
St Augustine observes:
“They sought the Father in heaven, but the Father was speaking on earth through His Son.” (Tractates on John XXXVII.2)
Faith opens the eyes to divine relationship.
8. “You Will Die in Your Sins”
“I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” (v. 21)
Christ warns of separation not imposed but chosen — sin unrepented leads to self-exclusion.
The Pharisees mock, “Will He kill Himself?” (v. 22), misunderstanding as always.
St John Chrysostom writes:
“When the heart is proud, even mercy sounds like madness.” (Homilies on John LIV.2)
Faith’s refusal is moral, not mental — the will turned from grace.
9. “You Are from Below; I Am from Above”
“You are of this world; I am not of this world. Unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” (vv. 23–24)
Here Christ speaks the Divine Name — Ego eimi, “I AM” — echoing Exodus 3:14.
Faith in Him is not optional knowledge but entry into life itself.
St Augustine says:
“He did not say, ‘Unless you believe what I say,’ but ‘Unless you believe that I AM.’ He who believes thus does not die in his sin, for he passes from himself to God.” (Tractates on John XXXVIII.8)
To believe in Christ’s divinity is to let light conquer darkness.
10. The Son of Man Lifted Up
“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM He.” (v. 28)
The Cross reveals identity. When the Son is lifted up — both on the Cross and in glory — His divine nature shines forth.
St Bede explains:
“He was hidden in humility, but recognised in Passion; for when He was lifted up, the centurion cried, ‘Truly this was the Son of God.’” (Commentary on John, 8)
The Cross is both judgement and revelation — mercy exalted.
11. The True Disciples
“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” (vv. 31–32)
Freedom is not independence but fidelity.
To remain in Christ’s word is to abide in His grace.
St Augustine beautifully explains:
“The slave of sin thinks freedom is licence; but the friend of Christ knows freedom is obedience.” (Tractates on John XLI.4)
Truth liberates by cleansing the heart.
12. Slavery to Sin
“Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin… If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (vv. 34–36)
Sin is not merely an act but a bondage. Christ frees not by permission but by transformation.
St John Chrysostom:
“Freedom is not to do what one wills, but to will what is right; and this only the Son grants.” (Homilies on John LV.1)
True liberty is holiness.
13. Abraham’s Children
“They answered Him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.’” (vv. 39–40)
Physical descent is not spiritual kinship.
Abraham’s true children share his faith and obedience.
St Bede comments:
“They gloried in his flesh, but denied his faith. Abraham welcomed God; they sought to kill Him.” (Homilies on the Gospels I.19)
Faith without charity becomes hypocrisy.
14. The Devil as Father of Lies
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning… for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (v. 44)
Christ unmasks the spiritual warfare underlying all sin.
Lies and hatred belong to the devil’s realm; truth and charity belong to God.
St Augustine warns:
“The devil spoke a lie that man might die; Christ spoke truth that man might live.” (Tractates on John XLII.4)
Truth is not merely concept but Person — Christ Himself.
15. “He Who Is of God Hears the Words of God”
“He who is of God hears the words of God; the reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (v. 47)
Hearing implies obedience.
To “be of God” means to share His life by grace.
St Bede:
“The ear of faith opens only to love. Where charity is absent, hearing fails though sound remains.” (Commentary on John, 8)
Faith grows not by argument but by sanctity.
16. “Before Abraham Was, I Am”
“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see My day; he saw it and was glad… Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (vv. 56, 58)
This is the climax — Christ’s open declaration of divinity.
He is not “before” Abraham merely in time, but eternally existing as God.
St Augustine exclaims:
“He did not say, ‘I was,’ but ‘I AM’ — for in the eternal now He is always. He who made Abraham was seen by Abraham in faith.” (Tractates on John XLIII.17)
At these words, they take up stones. The Word who wrote the Law is rejected by those who claim to keep it.
17. Christ Hidden from His Enemies
“So they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple.” (v. 59)
The Light is veiled, not extinguished.
His hour has not yet come — mercy withdraws so that justice may be delayed.
St Bede concludes:
“He hid not through fear but through compassion, for He who hides from stones will soon stretch His hands upon the Cross.” (Commentary on John, 8)
18. Theological Summary
| Theme | Revelation |
| The adulterous woman | Mercy stronger than sin |
| Light of the world | Christ the uncreated illumination of truth |
| Freedom and truth | Grace liberates from slavery to sin |
| Abraham’s faith | True sonship through belief, not lineage |
| “Before Abraham was, I AM” | Jesus’ full divine self-revelation |
| Hidden yet sovereign | God’s mercy delaying judgement |
St Augustine summarises:
“Here we see the Saviour’s whole work: He forgives, enlightens, frees, reveals, and hides — mercy in every act.” (Tractates on John XLIV.1)
19. Moral and Spiritual Application
Seek mercy before judgement. The same Lord who stoops to write forgives those who kneel to repent.
Walk in light. Truth is not a theory but a way of life.
Abide in the Word. Real discipleship is perseverance in doctrine and virtue.
Reject the lie. The devil’s speech is pride; Christ’s speech is humility.
Worship the I AM. Faith recognises Jesus not as teacher only, but as Lord God eternal.
20. Christ the Light of the World
All of John 8 converges on this revelation:
The Light that exposes sin also forgives it.
The Truth that convicts also liberates.
The I AM who spoke to Moses now stands incarnate in the Temple.
St Ambrose writes:
“He who once said ‘Let there be light’ now says ‘I am the Light,’ that in Him the world might see both mercy and majesty.” (On the Faith IV.7)
Christ shines not to condemn but to convert.
21. Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the world and Eternal Word of the Father,
You stooped to write in the dust and raised the sinner to hope.
Enlighten our darkness with the fire of Your mercy;
free us from the slavery of sin;
and grant that, walking in Your truth,
we may behold You as You are — the I AM, living and reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 