Today, we read of the famous story of the Adulteress Woman in John 8. This story was not found in the original John text and was later inserted in around the Second Century. Scholars find the text rather Lukan than Johannine. Some manuscripts even have it inserted in Luke 7. It remains a disputed pericope. However, this story must have been circulated around in the early Christian community for it to find a niche in the gospels. For us modern readers, learning its lessons is more important than deciding its status.
They went each to his own house,
but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Early in the morning he came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them (John 7:53-8:2).
The Jews were debating among themselves the identity of Jesus to no avail. They returned to their homes while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray. Early next morning, Jesus went to the Temple to teach the people. This was the setting of the Adulteress Woman. The scribes and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught at the act of adultery.
they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.
Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" (John 8:4-5)
They already had a decision but they wanted to put Jesus in a dilemma. If Jesus let the woman go, he did not obey the law of Moses. If Jesus followed the law of Moses, Jesus would not be a Saviour of sinners. Jesus was not unfamiliar with such situations. He had been confronted by such prejudiced people before. Jesus needed to resolve their pre-judgment. What was their pre-judgment?
but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Early in the morning he came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them (John 7:53-8:2).
The Jews were debating among themselves the identity of Jesus to no avail. They returned to their homes while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray. Early next morning, Jesus went to the Temple to teach the people. This was the setting of the Adulteress Woman. The scribes and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught at the act of adultery.
they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.
Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" (John 8:4-5)
They already had a decision but they wanted to put Jesus in a dilemma. If Jesus let the woman go, he did not obey the law of Moses. If Jesus followed the law of Moses, Jesus would not be a Saviour of sinners. Jesus was not unfamiliar with such situations. He had been confronted by such prejudiced people before. Jesus needed to resolve their pre-judgment. What was their pre-judgment?
We are all sinners. But we prefer seeing others as sinners rather than ourselves as sinners. This is our pre-judgment. Jesus needed to make us see that we are sinners in need of God's forgiveness. To the challenge posed by these biased people, Jesus responded in a unique way.
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground (John 8:6b).
Most people will be curious of what Jesus wrote, but this is unimportant. The act itself was significant. Jesus did not want to partake in their judgment game. Who were they, themselves sinners, to pass judgment on other sinners? We find Jesus' teaching on judgment in Matthew.
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye (Matthew 7:5).
God alone is the judge. He wrote the Ten Commandments on the stone tablets with His fingers (Exodus 31:18). He wrote three judgment words on the wall of the palace against the King (Daniel 5:5). Jesus reclaimed his exclusive judgment. Sinners should not judge. God alone judges. The scribes and Pharisees did not understand and continued to press on Jesus. Jesus explained his action.
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." (John 8:7)
Who is without sin? God. If somebody can cast the first stone, this somebody must be God.
The crowd began to understand Jesus' message. They left one by one, beginning with the oldest. In the end, a beautiful scene emerged.
Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him (John 8:9b).
In the end, all of us shall stand alone before Jesus, naked perhaps. Imagine ourselves standing in front of a man with X-ray vision. He knows us in and out. He knows us better than we know ourselves. There is nothing we can hide from him. Turning to him, we know more of ourselves instead. Though the whole world misunderstands us, he does not. What a wondrous moment, an unspeakably sweet one!
Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground (John 8:6b).
Most people will be curious of what Jesus wrote, but this is unimportant. The act itself was significant. Jesus did not want to partake in their judgment game. Who were they, themselves sinners, to pass judgment on other sinners? We find Jesus' teaching on judgment in Matthew.
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye (Matthew 7:5).
God alone is the judge. He wrote the Ten Commandments on the stone tablets with His fingers (Exodus 31:18). He wrote three judgment words on the wall of the palace against the King (Daniel 5:5). Jesus reclaimed his exclusive judgment. Sinners should not judge. God alone judges. The scribes and Pharisees did not understand and continued to press on Jesus. Jesus explained his action.
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." (John 8:7)
Who is without sin? God. If somebody can cast the first stone, this somebody must be God.
The crowd began to understand Jesus' message. They left one by one, beginning with the oldest. In the end, a beautiful scene emerged.
Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him (John 8:9b).
In the end, all of us shall stand alone before Jesus, naked perhaps. Imagine ourselves standing in front of a man with X-ray vision. He knows us in and out. He knows us better than we know ourselves. There is nothing we can hide from him. Turning to him, we know more of ourselves instead. Though the whole world misunderstands us, he does not. What a wondrous moment, an unspeakably sweet one!
Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." (John 8:10-11)
That no one condemns us does not mean we have no sins in us. Many of us are so successful in hiding our sins from the sight of the others that we appear to be almost saints before them. No. We are no saints though we are called to become saints. We need a push from God to escape the gravity of our sins. God is very generous and merciful to bestow us this undeserved grace. He is very willing to give us a second chance to begin anew. The ball is in our court now.
Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.
She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." (John 8:10-11)
That no one condemns us does not mean we have no sins in us. Many of us are so successful in hiding our sins from the sight of the others that we appear to be almost saints before them. No. We are no saints though we are called to become saints. We need a push from God to escape the gravity of our sins. God is very generous and merciful to bestow us this undeserved grace. He is very willing to give us a second chance to begin anew. The ball is in our court now.
Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.
Dear Lord, our faith is weak. Continue to accompany us on our way to a new life. May we look for merits rather than shortcomings in our neighbours. Amen.
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