John 8:5

John 8:5, in plain English

They point out that Moses commanded stoning for adultery and ask Jesus what He thinks. They think they have backed Him into a corner with no way out.

Why it's here

If Jesus says stone her, He contradicts His own message of mercy. If He says let her go, He contradicts Moses. It looks like there is no right answer.

Who's speaking

The religious leaders spring their trap, demanding a yes or no answer.

Where it sits in the story

They thought they had Jesus trapped. But they forgot who they were dealing with. The one who gave the Law to Moses in the first place was about to show them what the Law was really about.

The scholarly reading

They cite the Mosaic Law commanding lithasai (stoning) for such women (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22-24) and ask su oun ti legeis (what then do You say?), forcing Jesus into a dilemma between Torah and Roman law, which forbade Jewish capital punishment.

Language and setting

The trap is dual: if Jesus upholds stoning, He violates Roman law (which reserved capital punishment) and contradicts His message of mercy; if He opposes stoning, He contradicts Moses and loses authority.

Voice

The accusers complete their trap by citing Mosaic Law and demanding Jesus' personal verdict.

Significance

The trap is sprung. Moses says stone her. Rome says you cannot. Jesus' accusers think they have engineered an inescapable dilemma. They are about to discover that Jesus operates on a level they never imagined.

3The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them

4and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

6They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.

7When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

Read all of John 8 — A woman caught in adultery, a claim to be the light of the world, and a statement so audacious the crowd picks up stones: before Abraham was, I am.