John 8 2

John 8:2 kjv

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 nkjv

Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.

John 8:2 niv

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.

John 8:2 esv

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.

John 8:2 nlt

but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.

John 8 verses

John 8 2 Meaning

Early at dawn, Jesus, exhibiting consistent diligence and accessibility, returned to the Temple precincts in Jerusalem. This was his established place of public instruction. A large multitude, drawn by His message and presence, gathered around Him. Taking the posture of an authoritative teacher, Jesus sat down and continuously taught them the divine truths of God.

John 8 2 Context

John 8:2 follows directly after Jesus had spent the night on the Mount of Olives (Jn 7:53 - 8:1). This overnight period often marks a contrast between the busy, perhaps turbulent, activities in Jerusalem and Jesus' solitude. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic encounter with the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:3-11), which occurs almost immediately after Jesus begins His morning teaching. The broader context is the Feast of Tabernacles (Jn 7:2), a significant pilgrimage festival in Jerusalem, which attracted large numbers of people. The previous chapters have highlighted rising tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, who are seeking to arrest or kill Him, while the common people are drawn to His message.

John 8 2 Word analysis

• And early in the morning (ὄρθρου δέ πάλιν):
  • ὄρθρος (orthros): Denotes the time just before sunrise, the breaking of dawn, or the morning twilight.
  • Significance: Symbolically links to Jesus as the "Light of the World" (Jn 8:12). His presence ushers in spiritual clarity and truth, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance. It also shows His diligence and discipline, prioritizing ministry at the start of the day. This timing contrasts with the spiritual darkness and plotting of the religious leaders (Jn 7:32).
• he came again (πάλιν ἦλθεν / eiserchetai):
  • πάλιν (palin): "Again" or "back."
  • ἦλθεν (ēlthen - from ἔρχομαι, erchomai): The aorist tense in this construction usually indicates a completed action. Some ancient manuscripts and scholarly analysis suggest an imperfect or historic present "eiserchetai," emphasizing his habitual or continuous practice of coming there.
  • Significance: It emphasizes consistency and routine. Jesus habitually returned to public spaces to teach, demonstrating His open ministry and commitment to engaging with the people, unlike those who operated in secrecy. It implies he was often there, or had just left.
• into the temple (εἰς τὸ ἱερόν / eis to hieron):
  • ἱερόν (hieron): Refers to the entire Temple complex, including its courtyards and porticos, which were accessible to all. This is distinct from the naos (ναός), which designated the inner sanctuary.
  • Significance: Jesus chose a highly public and central location. The Temple was the spiritual, social, and cultural heart of Jewish life, making it an ideal place to reach a wide audience. It underscored His message's authority and public challenge to existing religious interpretations.
• and all the people (καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς / kai pas ho laos):
  • πᾶς (pas): "All" or "every." While unlikely to be literally every single person in Jerusalem, it indicates a very large, inclusive crowd, representing a significant portion of the general populace.
  • λαὸς (laos): "People," often with a connotation of the common people, distinct from the religious or political elite.
  • Significance: Shows Jesus' widespread appeal among the common folk who yearned for spiritual truth and experienced His authenticity, contrasting sharply with the unbelief and opposition of the Jewish authorities.
• came unto him (ἤρχοντο πρὸς αὐτόν / ērxonto pros auton):
  • ἤρχοντο (ērxonto - from ἔρχομαι, erchomai): Imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous stream of people approaching or gathering.
  • Significance: Depicts the eagerness and spiritual hunger of the people, actively seeking out Jesus for His teachings, forming a powerful imagery of attraction.
• and he sat down (καὶ καθίσας / kai kathisas):
  • καθίσας (kathisas - from καθίζω, kathizō): Aorist participle, indicating a completed action that precedes or accompanies the main verb.
  • Significance: In Jewish tradition, rabbis and teachers typically sat down when giving formal instruction, signifying authority and preparedness to expound the Law or a significant message. It also suggested a settled, unhurried demeanor despite the crowd.
• and taught them (ἐδίδασκεν αὐτούς / edidasken autous):
  • ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken - from διδάσκω, didaskō): Imperfect tense, conveying a continuous or repeated action.
  • Significance: This was a primary activity of Jesus' ministry. He wasn't just preaching; He was engaging in detailed instruction, guiding people in understanding God's ways. The continuous action implies that this teaching was ongoing when the next event unfolded.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And early in the morning he came again": This phrase paints a picture of Jesus' commitment and consistent presence. He did not retreat after controversy but re-engaged proactively at the earliest opportunity. It hints at a new beginning, a fresh start, after the potentially dark events of the previous evening (whether spending the night on the Mount of Olives or the hidden plotting of the leaders).
• "into the temple, and all the people came unto him": This juxtaposition highlights the public nature of Jesus' ministry in contrast to the covert plotting against Him. The temple, meant for the worship of God, became a school for the "God-man" himself, with the crowds eagerly converging, demonstrating their hunger for divine truth.
• "and he sat down, and taught them": This entire phrase encapsulates Jesus' authoritative role and method of ministry. Sitting signified His rightful place as a Master Teacher. The continuous action of "taught" shows His primary focus and divine mission was to impart knowledge and wisdom to the spiritually hungry, before any dramatic confrontation.

John 8 2 Bonus section

The immediate juxtaposition of Jesus teaching openly to a receptive crowd with the later plot by the religious authorities to trap Him (Jn 8:3-11) starkly contrasts His transparent, life-giving ministry with their deceptive, judgment-seeking agenda. Jesus' consistent public presence challenged the hidden machinations of those who rejected Him. His choosing the Temple precincts was also a subtle reclaiming of its purpose as a house of prayer and teaching, rather than merely a place of sacrifice or commerce. The gathering of the "common people" before Jesus, as opposed to the ruling elite, reflects a recurring theme in the Gospels, where those considered outsiders or unlearned were often the most receptive to His message.

John 8 2 Commentary

John 8:2 reveals Jesus' unwavering commitment to His mission of teaching, even amidst escalating opposition. His presence "early in the morning" symbolizes a new day, spiritual light overcoming darkness, and His personal discipline. Returning to the "temple," the spiritual hub, emphasized the public and authoritative nature of His ministry. The large gathering of "all the people" signifies their profound spiritual hunger and the widespread impact of His teachings. By "sitting down and teaching," Jesus adopted the revered posture of a rabbi, signifying His authority and intentional, systematic instruction, presenting Himself as the accessible divine teacher ready to engage and transform.