Woman taken in Adultry

1. John Chapter 8
WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY
A POSSIBLE INTERPRETATION

2. Chapter 8: 3 The teachers
of the law and the
Pharisees brought in a
woman caught in adultery.
…“Teacher, this woman
was caught in the act of
adultery. 5 In the Law
Moses commanded us to
stone such women. Now
what do you say?”

3. They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for
accusing him.
A Precarious Dilemma
STONE HER!
• The law would be strictly
applied. No problem
• Rome though retained the
power to execute.
• Jesus would be in trouble
with Rome
DO NOT STONE HER!
• Jesus could now be accused
of violating the Law
• His opponents could
denounce Him for his failure
to observe the law
• His reputation as a
Messenger of God would be
discredited

4. But Jesus bent down and started to write
on the ground with his finger…he straightened
up and said to them, “Let any one of you
who is without sin be the first to throw a
stone at her.”
The First bending to the ground

5. Reading Between the Lines
• Did He write a single word – “Herodias” ?
• Herodias was the most notorious adulteress in the
land.
• Jesus arose with a stone. With his arm outstretched
He states “Let any one of you who is without sin be
the first to throw a stone at her.”
• Having no takers, Jesus proceeds to toss the stone
supernaturally across the temple wall.
• It lands in Herod’s compound located beyond the
Temple wall.

6. 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a
time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left,
with the woman still standing there.
What if Jesus wrote “Herod” the number one
adulterer in the land – the murderer of His beloved
cousin?
This could combust into an anti Herod event. Herod
has his spies. It is best to leave.
The Second bending to the ground

7. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,”
Jesus rises. This time in His hand was also a stone. He gently tosses it to
the woman. “
The woman delivered. Traumatized by a near death experience receives
grace. Jesus keeps the law and at the same time exhibits grace.

8. EPILOG
AN ADDITIONAL INTERPRETATION
BY A.HALLER
Jesus was at the Colonnade area of the Temple complex. The ground there is solid pavement.
He wrote super naturally on stone – a feat done in the presence of Moses by God in giving the Law.
This unnerved those watching. This miracle would indicate they were in the presence of God.
It was too much for them to take.

9. THE END
BY A.HALLER