Woman Taken In Adultery.

Jesus Forgives a Woman Taken in Adultery - but what for?

This story, beloved for its revelation of God's mercy toward sinners, is found only in John. It was almost certainly not part of John's original Gospel. The NIV separates this passage off from the rest of the Gospel with the note, "The earliest and most reliable manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53--8:11." That is, the earliest Greek manuscripts, the earliest translations and the earliest church fathers all lack reference to this story. Bible Gateway.

This story is quite remarkable but is so wrongly interpreted that I shudder.

Is this woman really forgiven with no evidence of repentance?

If there is no punishment for her then surely all punishments imposed by God-given instruction to mankind must be equally ignored.

Let us see what we know from this story:

1) It is a trap. John tells us so.

2) Where was the evidence of the man? - Even if they were sexist in their implementation of punishments - it still 'takes two to tango' as they say. ... Did I mention that it's a trap?

3) Do we know what her 'sin' was? - We have NO evidence that she was an adulteress. (Remember - this was only the claim of those setting the trap.)

4) Was she herself part of the plot - never at any risk? That would doubly explain Jesus's response.

5) This is often preached as 'evidence for Jesus's compassion'. But His compassion - if being tested at all - is very much a side issue.

6) So, what was the nature of this trap? - If Jesus said to stone her - he would have been endorsing Jewish Law to execute - something only permitted for the Romans as the occupying power.

This would have then been taken to the authorities by those setting the trap. If however, He were to tell them not to stone her - He would have been denying Jewish Law - surely the preference of these nasty-minded people! His entire status would have been thoroughly undermined.

7) Note! - Jesus effectively endorsed the execution BUT removed the blame being pointed at him and turned it back onto those who set the trap. His 'Let the one without sin cast the first stone' was awesome. Not one could make an effective statement in public that 'he was without sin' - it would have been a blasphemy.

8) Is Jesus forgiving her for having been part of the plot - which makes far more sense?

Dear Christian. How many times have you heard this story preached? - Did it major on 'the compassion of Jesus' every time? - I have only ever heard it preached on well just the once.