*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.
John 8:1-20 reminds us of God’s mercy and the importance of not being quick to judge others. When the religious leaders wanted to condemn a woman caught in sin, Jesus responded with wisdom and grace, showing that none of us are without fault. This teaches us to be kind and forgiving instead of looking for ways to criticize others. At the same time, Jesus told the woman to leave her life of sin, reminding us that God’s grace leads us to change. We can apply this by treating others with compassion while also striving to live in a way that honors God.
John 8:1-20 (WEB)
8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.2 Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the middle, 4 they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do you say about her?” 6 They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of.But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. 7 But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger.9 They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. 10 Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”11 She said, “No one, Lord.”Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”14 Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. 16 Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. 17 It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. 18 I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”19 They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?”Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.