John 8
The Adulterous Woman
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought* a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4they said* to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
Carl has some very good thoughts on this, and lots that I have pondered…go check them out.
I have always been amazed by this story..first where is the man that also took place in this adultery? Maybe it seemed like the “manly thing” but we have lots of names for the woman. (again I am not seeing much difference in todays thinking than at this time) The Pharisees and scribes were looking to trap Jesus. (as if) My heart goes out to her. I believe Jesus heart went out to her as well. She was used to set up Jesus, even if it would kill her, that didn’t matter to them. The message Jesus gave to them is incredible and one that we all could stand to learn and relearn. “Let him without sin throw the first stone”. Me, myself, have no stones to throw. I am not more than anyone. I do see this as a lesson to the church. Are we quick to judge? Do we bear false witness? Are we setting anyone up at anothers cost? think before you answer…Do you have any stones to throw?
I love that Jesus is the light of the world! The darkness is soooo dark…and I have great fear of that kind of darkness. Running in to HIS light is the best thing I can think of, all at once, everything is laid in the open, and we can truly move forward in it. Praise you Jesus! I love the Light!
There is an old post that was written on the truth setting you free, you can check it out if you like. I am not going to go into now…but if Jesus has ever set you free…then YOU ARE FREE, the rest is a lie. PEACE, Have a good day in the Lord!
ponderings of a princess... 
I’ve always liked this story. What was Jesus writing on the ground? One idea that I thought was interesting was that he was writing the sins of the accusers down but, of course, it never says. If that was the idea then it was very clever of him as well as politic to avoid the condemnation of the woman and disperse the hostile crowd.
You asked where the man was? Was it a sin for a man to sleep with an unmarried woman or was it entirely on her? Modern readers would place the burden of responsibility on both people but 2000 years ago things were very different. What would his punishment be? To marry her if he was unmarried? To pay a fine? Less than death certainly.
Hey, Hover. I know you asked Darla, but I’m here and she’s not…so…by Jewish law the man AND the woman caught in adultery were to be stoned to death. The Pharisees were not following the Law they knew.
Hey Darla!!
I have no stones to throw. Every time I start to pick one up, He whispers, “What do you think you’re doing? Michelle…look at Me, not at them.”
Yeah, that’s what He says. So I drop it…then fall down before Him, asking for the bitterness to be purged.
I love you, Darla. Learning how to walk free and give that freedom to others, well…not easy…but good. 😉
I talked about this on another blog; how we tend to measure sin. Somehow, someone else’s sin is so much worse than our own [human nature; to try and justify our sin or make us feel better about ourselves]. I love how Jesus calls everyone out in the way that He does.
The way that God humbles me is that I find I’m just as susceptible to falling into sin than the next person and that makes me no better than anyone else. When I fall, He reminds me of someone I may have inadvertantly judged, even if it was just in my heart, and I am quick to repent for “casting a stone.” That brings me to my point of how judging isn’t always blatantly attacking the person, it begins in the heart, and it shows on the outward. Others can tell we’re judging them without us even having to say anything.
The bottom line is I have no right to be bitter or upset with anyone for being human. All have fallen short of God’s glory; no one is exempt from that condition. My bitterness or resentment towards someone for being a sinner is in some ways exalting myself to the same level of God. Only He has the right to judge. Only He who is perfect can cast a stone and what a surprise, He doesn’t! Even though He has the power and authority to do so.
Love you Darla.
Hover, I too have always liked this story…I always wondered what HE wrote..hopefully Michelle answered your question..good to see you!
Michelle- thanks for blog sitting! you are way too cool!! and like you..I get the same talk..put the stone down..look at me…its not always easy but it is always best!
Gch- how is my sweet thing today!!??! I just want to squeeze you!! 😯 love you, and your words of wisdom…I love how Jesus was kind to women. it always touches my heart!
Feeling a little scared right now… this is definitely a faith walk …. going to meditate on what you said – I know it , but I’m struggling….
This chapter is one of the most revealing chapters of Christ – not only his compassion but his God being as well! I love this chapter.
Hi Princess,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am doing well. I’ve just been in a season of ‘quietness’. Lots going on in my mind, but haven’t been able to get it out.
So glad I stopped by your blog today. Love this story for so many reasons. I definitely have no stones to throw….yet I know there are times I throw ’em anyway.
Isn’t Jesus so good and gracious to this woman? Isn’t He so good and gracious to us? His compassion is amazing. He see’s her. He doesn’t see her sin. Oh, how I long to see with His eyes.
I love you Prin.
Darla…two days and counting….can I cut and paste>>>> 🙄
I love this story….I have no stones to throw and praise God that the ones who want to throw them at me are swayed by the finger of the Master’s hand.
“Running in His light” ….you and I are gonna have soooo much fun in eternity!!!!
You can almost hear the whining going on as people walked away…love you prin 😉
From this mans’ point of view….
I grew up with 7 sisters… It irks me to no end when I see a man dis-respect a woman in any way. Men can be pigs, and I just don’t get where anyone thinks it is ok to act like they do.
I have seen men on business trips goto the strip clubs, and take off their wedding ring.
So Heck yeah the man should have been stoned also. I think Jesus even spoke out at the thought of Adultery as sin.
The thought never even crosses my mind, not to mention that I would be scare to death of the 5′ 2″ woman if I even came close to another woman. 😯 Not to mention the guilt of living with ruining my family.
I can barely be in a elevator for 3 floors with a woman alone without feeling guilty.
Carl, what you wrote was very noble…the world could use more men like you…your wife is blessed.
“where was the male adulterer?”
probably embarrassed, but free. Unfortunately the Jews at that time were not as socially enlightened as their oppressors, the Romans, who nearly considered woman equals. Bummer. At least that woman was allowed to be physically touched by the son of God and her cohort in crime missed out.
Jesus (and later his apostles) went out of their way to reach the marginalized, like this woman, whose life Jesus quite literally saved (physically and spiritually).
Darla, this was good. I love what you wrote: “She was used to set up Jesus, even if it would kill her, that didn’t matter to them.” wow. And this: “I do see this as a lesson to the church.” Again. Wow. Yeah – I would say that if this story was directed to anyone, it would be the church. sigh. It’s a lesson we still need to learn. So badly.