Thoughts on the Gospel of John (49) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Now early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to him, Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say? This they said, testing him, that they might have something of which to accuse him.
John 8:2-6.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (49)
After their dispute with the officers of the law (concerning their failure to arrest Jesus) and with Nicodemus (because of his reproach) the Pharisees had returned home satisfied, while Jesus spent the night on the Mount of Olives.

Now we find Jesus in the temple, teaching there as usual. Something happened that has become world famous, but, sadly, often misunderstood. The Pharisees wanted to ask Jesus about it, hoping to catch Him out. But "whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself will fall into his own pit" (Proverbs 28:10). This is precisely what happened.

The case was clear enough for the Pharisees: a woman who had committed adultery had to be stoned according to the law. The other guilty party did not concern them.

The Pharisees' cunning could hardly be outdone. They pretended to keep the letter of the law, but ostensibly valued Jesus' opinion. The trap they set was: if Jesus confirmed the law, where was the grace that He preached? If; on the other hand, He let the adulteress go free, wasn't He opposing the LORD, let alone Moses? The question then arises as to who committed the greater sin, the woman or the Pharisees?

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Daniel 6:19-28 · Acts 1:15-26