John 8:1-11
8:3 a The teachers of religious law were Jewish scholars who specialized in knowing the Old Testament law and the oral traditions that interpreted the law.8:4 b The form of the Greek sentence emphasizes the legal claim against the woman. She had been caught while committing the sin of adultery. The law required two witnesses and carefully outlined what evidence was needed.
8:5 c The requirement of the law ... to stone her indicates that the woman was engaged or married (Lev 20:10 d; Deut 22:23-24 e). The law also stated that her lover should be killed with her, but these religious leaders apparently ignored their obligation to that part of the statute.
• These men could have dealt with the woman privately and kept her from public shame, but Jesus was their real target as they demanded, What do you say? Would he neglect the law since he had a reputation for mercy? Or would he ignore the woman’s tragedy?
8:6 f It is impossible to know what Jesus ... wrote in the dust. It has been suggested that he wrote the sins of the accusers.
8:7 g Jesus’ answer did not mean that an accuser had to be morally perfect to make legal accusations. His reference to the one who has never sinned points to the motives of the accusers.
8:9 h The jury crumbled as they slipped away. One accuser departed, followed by another, and then a succession of bystanders.
8:11 i Neither do I: Jesus’ words of assurance did not suggest that the woman was innocent. Jesus views sin and judgment seriously, yet he looks graciously and forgivingly on those caught in sin’s grip.
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