53 And everyone went to his own house. 1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 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.
Verses 7:53 to 8:2 set the scene for the woman taken in adultery.
7:53
And everyone went to his own house.
The older manuscripts (the critical text) do not include the passage running from 7:53 through 8:11. However, it is one of the passages that the majority text (the Textus Receptus) does include. Translations such as the KJV and NKJV accept this passage as authentic. Most scholars do not believe these texts should be included in Scripture, but most believe it is a true historical situation.
At the end of the preceding day where people were listening in the temple, a new situation presented itself to Jesus.
8:1
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Mount of Olives is on the east side of Jerusalem where Jesus stayed overnight. In 7:53 every man went to his house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Most people lived in tents during the Feast of Tabernacles and went to homes after the feast. Jesus had no home.
8:2
Now early in the morning He came again into the temple,
Jesus persisted in His teaching ministry. He started early in the morning because many visitors to Jerusalem were still in the city.
and all the people came to Him;
Evidently a large crowd came to hear Jesus’ teaching.
and He sat down and taught them.
Jesus used no gimmicks but simply taught the people.
PRINCIPLE:
It takes wisdom to seize opportunities to reach people for Christ.
APPLICATION:
As Jesus seized an opportunity to reach people before they left Jerusalem after the Feast of Tabernacles, so we should grasp openings to reach people for Christ.
