The document discusses the biblical passage of John 7:53-8:11 about Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. It provides context that the earliest manuscripts do not include this passage. It addresses concerns that some students have raised about this passage not being original. To respond, it directs students to similar passages found in the Gospels and Acts that corroborate the concepts in John 7:53-8:11. It focuses the discussion on understanding the biblical concepts rather than arguing over the passage's authenticity. It closes by reflecting on Jesus' attitude toward sin and forgiveness through his death on the cross.
4. John 8: 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the
morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to
him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the
Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery,
and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this
woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the
Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do
you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have
some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote
with his finger on the ground. 7 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.” 8 And once
more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they
heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older
ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before
him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are
they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one,
Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and
from now on sin no more.”]]
5. How do I address this text
Some of the individuals that I have studied
with are concerned with the following:
The earliest manuscripts do not include
7:53–8:11.
The first thing that I do is to take them to the
following text
7. I ask the following
Are you also concerned with what is in the text as well?
For those who have said “No” ~ I ask, then why does
John 7:53 – 8:11 concern you?
None of them have been able to provide a response.
For those who have said “Yes” ~ I then go to
companion verses that point to the same things that are
stated in Mark 16: 9 – 20.
This would actually be a lesson in itself!
8. Quickly ~ here are the companion verses I use
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
John 20: 10 – 18
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples
Luke 24:13-35
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
Luke 24:36 – 49 and John 20:19 - 31
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16: 17 – 20
Acts 2:4, 19:6, 28:5
Luke 24:50 – 53, Acts 1:1 - 11
9. Back to John 7:53 – 8:11
Dilemma
This is the only time that this story is presented in the Bible
Therefore, how do I handle this within the context of a Bible
Study?
I step back and take a look at the concepts that are being
presented within the text and ask myself ~ has that been
presented anywhere else in the Bible?
When studying with a non-Christian, I do not argue whether
Mark 16:9-20 or John 7:53-8:11 should be included in the
scriptures ~ I concentrate on the concepts found within.
10. Concepts (as I see them) in
John 7:53 – 8:11
Jesus at the Mount of Olives:
Matthew 21:1, 24:3, Mark 14:26, Luke 21:37 – 38, Luke 22:39
Jesus going to the temple:
Matthew 21:12, 23, Mark 12:35, Luke 21:37 – 38
Scribes and Pharisees testing Jesus:
Matthew 16:1, 19:3, (21:46), (22:15-22), 22:35, (Luke 22:2)
Jesus attitude toward sin (these verses are not all inclusive):
Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, 5:22, 28, 32, 44, 6:14-15, 7:3-5, 12, 21, 16:24
– 27, 18:15 – 17, 35, Luke 19:10, Luke 22:40, John 5:14,
Revelation 2:4, 14 – 16, 20 – 23, 3:1 – 3, 16 - 20
11. As we contemplate on how we will
deal with individuals who are
burdened with sin, let us consider
the “Shadow of the Cross”.
12. “Shadow of the Cross”
The shadow of the cross fell on me today,
As with a humble heart I bowed my head to pray.
When I think of what Christ has done
For me, in His dying – my eternal life was won.
No longer do I have the burdens of all my sins;
As He hung upon that cross, He took them all on Him.
On the cross, a sacrifice for my sins, dying He took my place.
I know that one day I will see Him face to face.
He reached up and took the hand of God, and then He took mine.
He became the mediator of all man-kind.
As with a thankful heart, Father, I raise my prayer to thee.
I thank You for sending Your Son to save someone like me.
Veletia Tatom ~ 1985