“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN” ST. JOHN 8:1-11

The Incident of the Adulterous Woman

Having discussed the life-changing effect that Christ had with some previous individuals such as Nathaniel (St. John 1:49), Nicodemus (St. John 3:1-14), Samaritan Woman (St. John 4:15), Impotent Man (St. John 5:8-9), we come now to Christ’s meting with the Adulterous Woman of chapter 8.  Christ had a marvelous meeting with this woman, but His gracious dealing with her will promote continual hostility and hatred with the Pharisees, His arch enemies.  At the close of chapter 7:53, it says: “And every man went unto His own house.”

After the Jews’ heated debate with Him regarding His identity (7:40-52), they could not endure Christ’s claims anymore, resorting to depart from Him as verse 53 states.  While they went to their various houses, the matchless and peerless Saviour, who committed no sin, went to the Mount of Olives.  The scene before us in St. John 8:1 evidences the condescension of our blessed Lord; while others went to their houses, He retires outside to the Mount of Olives.  It is awfully emphatic to note that the maker of heaven and earth did not have a place of residence while He ministered among men.  In other words, during Christ’s public ministry He had no permanent dwelling, for Matthew 8:20 says:  “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.”

Having encountered conflict in the previous chapter, we discovered that our Lord continued to be engaged in teaching, for verse 2 says:  “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.”  As Christ was engaged in teaching, the Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman accused of adultery (v. 3).  The sin to which she was being charged with was punishable by stoning (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22).  Granted that she may have been guilty, but what about the man?

The law stated that both of them should die.  The religious leaders of Jesus’ day really knew the law, but they did not apply it right.  They could really quote its contents, but they had corrupt intent in their application of it.  They really brought this woman before Him with the wrong motive, for verse 6 says: “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.”  Simply put, they interrupted the teaching process in order that they might discredit Christ before the people.  They really wanted Christ to render a decision that would incriminate Him, neither of violating the law by exonerating her, or issuing the death penalty, thus contradicting His mission “to seek and to save that which was lost” (St. Luke 19:10).  In verse 6, displaying majestic wisdom we find our Lord writing on the ground; but, what was He writing!  The text does not supply an answer.  Having brought this adulterous woman unto Him, the critics of our Lord really thought they had Him cornered as He wrote in silence (v. 6).  Verse 7 brings out this arresting fact: “only the original Lawgiver was able to render the proper verdict with regard to this woman’s case.  With marvelous grace, our Lord turns the very law against the woman’s accusers, saying: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (v. 7).

In verses 8 and 9, the Great Law-giver of Exodus 31:18, mastered the moment by convicting the consciences of His enemies, thus He sent them away in shame.  They really thought they had Him cornered, but by the same law which condemned the woman, really condemned them!  With the accusers gone, the woman was left alone with Christ, and our Saviour said: “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?”  This woman was indeed blessed and was exonerated because Christ intervened.  What a marvelous sequel to someone who was once charged with committing a sin punishable by stoning.  Let us note with interest verse 11, as we close this discussion, for it says: “She said, No man, Lord.  And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.”  May God Bless!