2 Early in the morning, he came back into the temple courts. And all the people kept coming to him. He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery and had her stand in the center. 4 “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (Jn 8:2–5)
If a man commits adultery with the wife of another man, if he commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress must certainly be put to death. (Le 20:10)
5b So what do you say?” 6a They asked this to test him, so that they might have evidence to accuse him. (Jn 8:5b-6a)
WELS People’s Bible: If Jesus called for the stoning, he would violate Roman law, which reserved capital punishment for the Romans to execute. If Jesus said, “Let the woman go,” he would violate Mosaic Law.
6b Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7a But when they kept on asking him for an answer, … (Jn 8:6b-7a)
… but when they kept on asking him for an answer, he stood up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (Jn 8:7b)
WELS People’s Bible: The Pharisees’ actions were loveless, harsh, hypocritical. Hatred prompted their little drama. But Jesus turned the trap back on them. Mosaic Law called for the witnesses to throw the first stones in carrying out the death penalty (Deuteronomy 17:7). So Jesus answered in part: “If she is guilty and deserving of death, get ready to do your job.” But Jesus put a twist on that thought that addressed the hateful hypocrisy in this entire episode: “Do your job if you are without sin.” The words echoed the sentiments Jesus expressed another time, in his Sermon on the Mount: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3; see also verses 1–5).
16 If a malicious witness rises up against a person to testify against him about a legal offense, 17 and if the two people involved in the dispute stand before the Lord and before the priests and the judges who preside at that time, 18 the judges are to investigate diligently. If the person is a dishonest witness because he has falsely accused his brother, 19 then you are to do to him just as he had plotted to do to his brother. So you will purge the evil from among you. (Dt 19:16–19)
If you have followed all the legal procedures correctly, then take her outside the city and fulfill your duty—stone her.
What do these church leaders believe they will get them into heaven?
Wow, Jesus is right. I need to admit my sin. I need to acknowledge to this woman that I’ve sinned against her and God.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn 1:9)
Points to Ponder
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
Has someone committed a sin against you that caused deep emotional scars? If so, are those scars still with you today? If so, why do you think that is?
Give some thought to whether you agree or disagree with this being the thought in the minds of the church leaders: Wow, Jesus is right. I need to admit my sin. I need to acknowledge to this woman that I’ve sinned against her and God.
