*John 8:1-20
Jesus confronts a crowd wanting to stone a woman caught in adultery, challenging their hypocrisy and offering forgiveness.
- The Scene: The passage begins with Jesus teaching in the temple courts when the religious leaders bring to him a woman caught in adultery. They intend to trap Jesus by questioning him about the Mosaic Law, which prescribes stoning as punishment for adultery.
- The Trap: The scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus if the woman should be stoned, testing his adherence to the Law of Moses. This question puts Jesus in a dilemma: if he agrees with stoning, he contradicts his teachings of mercy and forgiveness; if he opposes stoning, he could be seen as undermining the authority of the Law.
- Jesus’ Response: Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus stoops down and writes on the ground with his finger, perhaps to give himself time to reflect or to challenge the accusers to examine their own hearts. When they persist in their questioning, Jesus stands up and famously states, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
- Conviction and Departure: Jesus’ response convicts the accusers, causing them to reflect on their own shortcomings. One by one, starting with the older ones, they walk away, leaving Jesus alone with the woman.
- Forgiveness and Instruction: Jesus asks the woman where her accusers are and whether anyone has condemned her. When she responds that no one has, Jesus declares that he does not condemn her either. However, he instructs her to go and sin no more, emphasizing the importance of repentance and a changed life.
- The Light of the World: Following this encounter, Jesus addresses the crowd, proclaiming, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This statement underscores Jesus’ role as the embodiment of truth and salvation, offering illumination and guidance to all who believe in him.
- Challenges to Authority: The Pharisees challenge Jesus’ authority, questioning the validity of his testimony since he testifies about himself. Jesus responds by asserting the validity of his testimony and his relationship with the Father, asserting that those who know him also know the Father.
- Departure of Jesus: As Jesus continues to teach, many believe in him. However, he warns them that he will soon leave, and they will search for him but will not be able to find him because they cannot come where he is going.
8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
8:2 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.
8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.