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The life of Jesus · John 8

The Woman Caught in Adultery

Early in the morning, Jesus is teaching in the temple, and all the people come to him. The scribes and Pharisees bring him a woman caught in adultery and make her stand in the middle: “Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned: but what do you say?” It is a trap, so that they might have something to accuse him of. Jesus stoops down and writes on the ground with his finger. When they keep on questioning him, he stands up: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Convicted by their own conscience, her accusers slip away one by one, beginning with the oldest. Jesus is left alone with the woman. “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” — “No one, Lord.” — “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.”

What happens

  1. Early in the morning, Jesus teaches in the temple John 8:1–2
  2. The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery John 8:3–4
  3. “Moses commanded us to stone such women: what do you say?” John 8:5–6
  4. “Let him who is without sin be the first to throw a stone” John 8:7–8
  5. Her accusers slip away one by one, beginning with the oldest John 8:9
  6. “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more” John 8:10–11

Who is in this story

The lesson

Jesus does not downplay sin, but he refuses to condemn the woman who stands before him: he sends her accusers back to their own consciences, then offers her grace and a fresh start: “go, and sin no more.” In the face of his mercy, no one has the right to throw the first stone.

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
John 8:11

Quick quiz on this story

What does Jesus say to the woman’s accusers?

What does Jesus do while the accusers question him?

Who brings the woman to Jesus?

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