John 8:5 - Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22 What then do you say about her?”
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What does "John 8:5" mean?
This verse is part of a famous story in the Gospel of John (John 8:1-11), often called the story of the woman caught in adultery. Let's break down what the verse means:
"Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women." This refers to Jewish law as understood at the time.
"Our law": Implies the speaker (likely a scribe or Pharisee) is referring to Mosaic Law, believed to have been given by God to Moses.
"Moses commanded us to stone such women": Cites the punishment for adultery according to interpretations of the Old Testament. Leviticus 20:10 states, "If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death." Deuteronomy 22:22 states, "If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die."
It's crucial to note that the exact application and enforcement of these laws in the time of Jesus was complex and debated. Capital punishment was not as commonly practiced as some might assume.
"What then do you say about her?" This is the crucial part of the verse.
The trap: The scribes and Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus. They bring the woman to him as a test. If Jesus says to stone her, he'd be perceived as cruel and against his message of love and forgiveness. He'd also potentially be in conflict with Roman law, which likely reserved capital punishment to Roman authorities. If he says not to stone her, they would accuse him of disregarding the Law of Moses and therefore blaspheming God.
The challenge: The question is a direct challenge to Jesus' authority and teachings. They are trying to force him to choose between upholding the law and demonstrating compassion.
In summary, the verse is a setup. The scribes and Pharisees are using the law concerning adultery as a means to ensnare Jesus in a theological and political trap. They are attempting to discredit him, regardless of his answer. They are not truly concerned with justice or the law itself, but rather with undermining Jesus' influence.
It's important to consider:
The absence of the man: The law required both the man and the woman to be punished for adultery. The fact that only the woman is brought forward raises questions about the motives of the accusers. This could suggest the entire scenario was staged.
Jesus' response: Jesus famously doesn't answer directly. He bends down and writes on the ground (the contents of which are not specified in the text). He then says, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." This brilliant response disarms the accusers, as they are forced to confront their own imperfections. It highlights the hypocrisy of the situation.
The story of the woman caught in adultery is not just about punishment, but also about grace, forgiveness, and the dangers of hypocrisy. The verse you cited is a key element in setting up this powerful narrative.
John 8:5 - Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22 What then do you say about her?”
What does "John 8:5" mean?
This verse is part of a famous story in the Gospel of John (John 8:1-11), often called the story of the woman caught in adultery. Let's break down what the verse means:
"Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women." This refers to Jewish law as understood at the time.
"Our law": Implies the speaker (likely a scribe or Pharisee) is referring to Mosaic Law, believed to have been given by God to Moses.
"Moses commanded us to stone such women": Cites the punishment for adultery according to interpretations of the Old Testament. Leviticus 20:10 states, "If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death." Deuteronomy 22:22 states, "If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die."
It's crucial to note that the exact application and enforcement of these laws in the time of Jesus was complex and debated. Capital punishment was not as commonly practiced as some might assume.
"What then do you say about her?" This is the crucial part of the verse.
The trap: The scribes and Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus. They bring the woman to him as a test. If Jesus says to stone her, he'd be perceived as cruel and against his message of love and forgiveness. He'd also potentially be in conflict with Roman law, which likely reserved capital punishment to Roman authorities. If he says not to stone her, they would accuse him of disregarding the Law of Moses and therefore blaspheming God.
The challenge: The question is a direct challenge to Jesus' authority and teachings. They are trying to force him to choose between upholding the law and demonstrating compassion.
In summary, the verse is a setup. The scribes and Pharisees are using the law concerning adultery as a means to ensnare Jesus in a theological and political trap. They are attempting to discredit him, regardless of his answer. They are not truly concerned with justice or the law itself, but rather with undermining Jesus' influence.
It's important to consider:
The absence of the man: The law required both the man and the woman to be punished for adultery. The fact that only the woman is brought forward raises questions about the motives of the accusers. This could suggest the entire scenario was staged.
Jesus' response: Jesus famously doesn't answer directly. He bends down and writes on the ground (the contents of which are not specified in the text). He then says, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." This brilliant response disarms the accusers, as they are forced to confront their own imperfections. It highlights the hypocrisy of the situation.
The story of the woman caught in adultery is not just about punishment, but also about grace, forgiveness, and the dangers of hypocrisy. The verse you cited is a key element in setting up this powerful narrative.