John 8:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"

NIV: In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"

NASB: Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?'

CSB: In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"

NLT: The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?'

KJV: Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

NKJV: Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”

Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22 prescribed the death penalty for couples who committed adultery. The Pharisees brought a guilty woman to Jesus (John 8:3–4). Their goal (John 8:6) is to trick Jesus into a public blunder. They assume there are only two options. Jesus can stone the woman, which would ruin His reputation for mercy (Matthew 11:19; Luke 6:36) and break Roman law (John 18:31). Or, He can defy the law of Moses (John 8:6). In trying to show their superiority they failed to fully follow the Law themselves: they have not brought the guilty man!

Some interpreters believe this very fact plays into Jesus' response. Jesus writes something on the ground (John 8:6), silently absorbing questions until He chooses to respond (John 8:7). It's possible He was writing Mosaic laws these men claimed to follow to highlight their hypocrisy. Perhaps He wrote the names of the accusing Pharisees and their own sins. We aren't told exactly what He writes. Yet Jesus successfully answers this dilemma using a principle valuable for all Christians: the difference between what we are able to do, and what we ought to do.

John 7:53—8:11 is one of the most famous stories of the New Testament. Jesus' response to a trap sprung by the Pharisees is masterful. Though He alone has the moral authority to execute the woman for her sin, Jesus instead chooses forgiveness. This highlights a major concept of Christian ethics: just because one has the power to do something does not mean it's the best option. However, scholars do not believe this event was originally found in this exact place in Scripture. The flow of the gospel of John seems interrupted by the story. Also, in ancient manuscripts, these verses are found in various places. This leads to the suggestion that it is a true story, but not part of John's original narrative of the Festival of Booths in chapters 7 and 8. Not all scholars agree.

This begins with the story of the adulterous woman, a well-known but controversial passage. Most scholars believe this story is authentic, but not originally found in this exact spot in Scripture. The rest of chapter 8 continues Jesus' preaching during the Feast of Booths, where He once again comes into conflict with local religious leaders. Here, Christ will make His second ''I am" statement, using the analogy of light, which is a common theme in Hebrew theology. This conversation will become more and more heated. Jesus' opponents become so enraged that they attempt to kill Him right then and there.

Jesus is attending the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem. There He once again conflicts with local religious authorities. Previously, Jesus referred to Himself as a source of living water (John 7:37–38). That built on the festival's ritual pouring of water in the temple. In this chapter, Jesus will do something similar with the imagery of lights also related to festival traditions. This demonstrates Jesus' willingness to be direct, even aggressive, with His critics. The next few chapters will complete Jesus' public ministry, as He prepares for His impending death.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.