John 8:5 – “In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
Extended Explanation
This verse is part of the Pharisees’ attempt to trap Jesus. They had just brought before Him a woman caught in adultery and now referenced the Law of Moses to demand her punishment. They were trying to force Jesus into a difficult position—either He upholds the law and agrees that she should be stoned, which could make Him seem unmerciful, or He shows compassion, which they could use to accuse Him of disregarding God’s law.
The Pharisees were quoting from the Old Testament law, which did prescribe death for adultery (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). However, their statement was misleading. The law required that both the man and the woman be punished, yet they had only brought the woman. This suggests that they were not genuinely concerned with righteousness but rather looking for a way to discredit Jesus.
This moment was not just about legal justice. It was a test of Jesus’ teaching. If He contradicted the law, He could be accused of rejecting Moses. If He approved the stoning, He could be seen as violating Roman law, which did not allow the Jews to carry out capital punishment without approval (John 18:31). The Pharisees were trying to manipulate Jesus into a no-win situation.
Historical Context
The Pharisees referenced the Law of Moses, which was central to Jewish life. In the Old Testament, adultery was considered a grave offense because it violated God’s design for marriage and the purity of His people. However, by Jesus’ time, the strict enforcement of capital punishment for adultery had largely faded, particularly under Roman rule.
Roman authorities had taken over legal matters, and the Jewish leaders were not allowed to carry out executions on their own. This meant that if Jesus approved of stoning the woman, He could be accused of defying Roman law. If He refused, the Pharisees could argue that He was disregarding the Law of Moses.
Additionally, the Pharisees’ selective application of the law—bringing only the woman—shows their hypocrisy. Their real motive was not justice but entrapment. They did not care about holiness; they wanted to trap Jesus in a contradiction.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the danger of using God’s Word as a weapon rather than a guide to truth and mercy. The Pharisees were misusing the law for their own purposes, rather than seeking God’s justice and mercy together.
It also reveals the contrast between legalism and grace. The Pharisees were eager to enforce punishment but lacked compassion. Jesus, however, perfectly balanced truth and mercy (John 1:17). He did not dismiss sin, but neither did He treat sinners as tools for political gain.
This moment also reminds us that Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). He did not ignore sin, but He provided a way for forgiveness through His own sacrifice. The Pharisees saw the law as a way to condemn; Jesus saw it as pointing to the need for redemption.
Literary Analysis
This verse serves as the climax of the Pharisees’ challenge. Their question—“Now what do you say?”—is designed to put Jesus on the spot. John’s Gospel frequently highlights moments where Jesus is tested, revealing His divine wisdom.
The Pharisees’ use of the phrase “Moses commanded us” is also telling. They appeal to tradition and authority, but their real motivation is deceit. This echoes other instances where Jesus exposed their hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27-28).
John often sets up dramatic tension in his narrative, and this verse plays into that structure. The reader is left wondering—how will Jesus respond? Instead of answering immediately, Jesus’ response in the next verses will expose their sin while upholding God’s justice.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Leviticus 20:10 – “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” (The full requirement of the law.)
- Deuteronomy 22:22 – “If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die.” (Again, both parties were required to be judged.)
- Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Jesus affirms the law but completes it through grace.)
- John 1:17 – “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (Jesus perfectly balances law and mercy.)
- Romans 3:23-24 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (No one is without sin, and only Jesus provides true forgiveness.)
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
John 8:5 warns us about the dangers of a judgmental heart. The Pharisees were quick to condemn someone else’s sin while ignoring their own. This challenges us to examine our own hearts—do we judge others while excusing our own failures?
It also reminds us to handle God’s Word correctly. The Bible is not meant to be twisted for personal gain or used as a tool for manipulation. Instead, it should guide us in both truth and love.
This verse also teaches us about Jesus’ wisdom. The world often presents us with false choices, pressuring us to compromise either truth or grace. But Jesus shows that we must hold both together—standing for righteousness while also offering forgiveness.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is not about quick condemnation. While He does not ignore sin, He also does not delight in punishing sinners. Instead, He desires repentance and redemption (Ezekiel 18:23).
This verse shows that God’s justice is perfect. While humans often twist laws for their own purposes, God judges fairly. Unlike the Pharisees, who wanted to exploit the law, God uses His law to lead people to repentance and restoration.
Through Jesus, God offers a way out of condemnation—not by ignoring sin, but by paying for it Himself. This is the depth of His love: He satisfies justice while extending mercy.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus’ response to this challenge shows His divine wisdom. He does not reject the law, but He reveals its deeper purpose—to bring people to repentance, not just to enforce punishment.
This moment foreshadows the cross. The Pharisees wanted justice, but they failed to see that true justice would come through Jesus’ sacrifice. He would take upon Himself the punishment for sin so that sinners could be set free (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus also demonstrated the true purpose of the law. While it reveals sin, it is ultimately meant to lead people to Him, the only One who can forgive and transform lives.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think the Pharisees only brought the woman and not the man? What does this reveal about their motives?
- How do we sometimes act like the Pharisees—quick to point out others’ sins while ignoring our own?
- How does Jesus’ response to the Pharisees challenge our understanding of justice and mercy?
- How should we apply biblical truth in a way that reflects both righteousness and grace?
- How does this passage encourage us to approach those who have made serious mistakes?
This verse is a powerful reminder that God’s law is not just about rules—it is about revealing sin and pointing us to the only One who can save us. Jesus does not ignore sin, but He offers a better way: redemption, forgiveness, and true righteousness through Him.