Caught in Adultery

After Jesus left the woman, everyone went to their home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

Early in the morning, Jesus left the Mount of Olives and went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them. 

But the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them and they said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” 

Now, some clarifications. First, it should be noted that the punishment for adultery applied to both parties. And since the woman was caught "in the act," it is assumed that both parties were known to the accusers. And yet only the woman was brought to Jesus. Second, the law said nothing about how the transgressors should be put to death, but it seems that stoning was the common practice at the time.

Now, the scribes and Pharisees had brought the woman and asked the question in order test Jesus. They wanted to have some basis for accusing Him. Accuse Him of what? That depended on His answer. If Jesus forgave the woman, they could charge Him with going against the law of Moses. But if Jesus condemned the woman, they could charge Him with hypocrisy and His followers would drift away, seeing see His actions as inconsistent with His message of mercy toward sinners.

Well, without saying anything, Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger. When the scribes and Pharisees continued to question Him, Jesus straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” And, again, Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground. What did Jesus write? Many have their ideas, but the Scriptures do not say. 

When the scribes and Pharisees heard Jesus' statement, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there. Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, Lord,” she answered.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”

See John 7:53-8:11; Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 22:22-24

Notes: Some early manuscripts of the Gospel of John do not include John 7:53 through John 8:11.

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