Meaning of John 8:17

Jesus invokes the Old Testament legal principle that a matter is established as true only when corroborated by the testimony of two or three witnesses. This principle, foundational to ancient Israelite jurisprudence, underscores the importance of reliable evidence and due process. By citing this law, Jesus is not merely quoting scripture; he is strategically employing a recognized legal standard to highlight a critical deficiency in the accusers' case against the woman caught in adultery. Their accusation, though seemingly presented as fact, lacks the necessary corroboration, thereby undermining its legal and moral validity within their own established framework. This defense implicitly challenges the accusers' motives and the legitimacy of their attempt to condemn her based on a single, unverified claim, thereby turning their own legal system against their prejudiced actions.

Context and Background

This statement occurs in John 8:1-11, a narrative where scribes and Pharisees bring a woman accused of adultery to Jesus, seeking to trap him. They present her to him, asking if she should be stoned, as prescribed by the Law of Moses (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). Jesus' response, "In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true," directly references Deuteronomy 19:15, which states, "One witness shall not rise up against a man as to any iniquity, or as to any sin that may be committed; on the evidence of two witnesses or on the evidence of three witnesses a matter shall be established." The accusers, by bringing only the woman and presenting no corroborating witnesses to her alleged transgression, are failing to adhere to the very legal standards they claim to uphold.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary theme is the importance of reliable testimony and due process. Jesus emphasizes that a legal charge, especially one carrying such severe consequences, requires proper substantiation. This highlights Jesus' commitment to justice and fairness, contrasting with the accusers' likely agenda of condemnation and entrapment. Furthermore, it reveals Jesus' profound knowledge of the Law and his ability to use it to expose hypocrisy. The verse also subtly points to the insufficiency of human judgment when it is applied without adherence to divine principles of truth and evidence.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse speaks to the burden of proof in matters of faith and judgment. While God's judgment is perfect and all-knowing, human interactions and pronouncements require verification. It encourages believers to be discerning and critical of accusations and claims, especially those made without sufficient evidence. It also serves as a reminder that true spiritual discernment comes from seeking truth through multiple, reliable sources, rather than accepting hearsay or biased accounts. In a broader sense, it underscores the principle that truth is established and validated, not merely asserted.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This passage fits within the broader biblical narrative of Jesus' interactions with religious authorities who often sought to trap him. He consistently exposed their hypocrisy and their superficial adherence to the Law, demonstrating that the spirit of the Law (love, mercy, justice) was more important than their rigid, often self-serving, interpretation. It also aligns with the New Testament emphasis on witnessing for Christ, where the testimony of multiple believers (e.g., the apostles) was crucial in establishing the truth of the Gospel.

Analogies

One analogy is a court of law today. A single person's accusation, without any supporting evidence or witnesses, would not be sufficient to convict someone of a crime. The legal system relies on corroborating evidence and multiple testimonies to ensure a fair trial. Another analogy could be scientific inquiry, where a hypothesis needs to be tested and verified through repeated experiments and observations by different researchers before it is accepted as a valid scientific principle.

Relation to Other Verses

• Deuteronomy 19:15: This is the direct source of the principle Jesus cites, establishing the legal requirement for two or three witnesses.
• Matthew 18:16: Jesus reiterates this principle in the context of church discipline, stating, "but at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be confirmed."
• 1 Timothy 5:19: The Apostle Paul also echoes this principle in pastoral advice: "Against an elder receive not an accusation, except before two or three witnesses."
• John 5:31-32, 37: Jesus himself speaks of bearing witness to himself, stating, "If I bear witness about myself, my witness is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the witness that he bears about me is true... And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me." This demonstrates Jesus' understanding of the need for corroboration, even in his divine testimony, pointing to the Father as a confirming witness.