Devine Scripture

John 8:2

What does John 8:2 mean?

A plain-English look at John 8:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 8:2 means

At dawn Jesus returns to the temple and takes the posture of a teacher, sitting as rabbis did. The people come readily, drawn by His words and presence. Early morning suggests eagerness—both on His part to teach and on theirs to hear. His ministry is open and public, not carried out in corners. He patiently instructs, not merely performing miracles but forming minds and hearts by the Word. This scene emphasizes His authority and accessibility: the true Shepherd gathers a flock to feed them with truth, preparing them for the moral and spiritual testing that is about to unfold in the very place of worship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And early in the morning he came again into the Temple and all the people came to him and he was seated teaching them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and all the people were coming unto him, and having sat down, he was teaching them;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And early in the morning he came again into the temple: and all the people came to him. And sitting down he taught them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down and taught them.

Context

The verse sets the immediate scene for the confrontation that follows. Jesus is actively teaching in the temple courts when the scribes and Pharisees interrupt with a legal and moral challenge concerning a woman caught in adultery. Seeing Jesus in a public, official teaching posture explains why the leaders choose this moment; they hope to discredit Him before a watching crowd. This context helps the reader appreciate both the pressure of the trap and the wisdom of Jesus’ response, which protects the woman yet maintains justice and exposes hypocrisy.

v.1but Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

v.2This passage

v.3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 44:4

    Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.

  • Luke 21:37

    And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet.

  • John 4:34

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.

  • Matthew 26:55

    In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.

  • Matthew 5:1

    And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:

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