John 8 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Woman Caught in Adultery

^7:53 They went each to his own house,

¹ but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. ³ The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst ⁴ they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.⁵ Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ⁶ This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.⁷ And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. ¹⁰ Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

REFLECTION

• Read over this passage a few times slowly. If time allows, read the whole chapter.
• Imagine yourself in the crowd that day. Picture the embarrassed and shamed expression on the woman’s face. Hear the condescending voices of the religious leaders. Feel the dirt blowing against you as Jesus bends down and writes something in it.
• What’s stunning in this incident is Jesus’ reaction to the accusations brought by the teachers of the Law and Pharisees. As one who was without sin, and who had been appointed by the Father to judge humankind (5:22), Jesus refused to condemn the woman despite her guilt.
• Come honestly before God and ask the Spirit to reveal to you the sins you’ve engaged in recently. Then imagine yourself in the same situation as this woman. You’re caught in this sin, exposed. Imagine you and Jesus having the same conversation: “Does no one condemn you?” “No one, Master.” He looks you in the eye. “Neither do I. Go on your way. From now on don’t sin.”
• Jesus’ words echoes John’s words in 3:17. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. And that salvation involves more than forgiveness. It involves a change of life: a change reflected in Christ’s words, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
• What are you feeling? Thinking?