Jesus and God's Love to Women

The Woman Caught in Adultery
The Holy Injil—John 8:1-11

Early the next morning he returned to the temple courtyard. All the people went to him, so he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone and asked Jesus, "Teacher, we caught this woman in the act of adultery. In his teachings, Moses ordered us to stone women like this to death. What do you say?" They asked this to test him. They wanted to find a reason to bring charges against him.

Jesus bent down and used his finger to write on the ground. When they persisted in asking him questions, he straightened up and said, "The person who is sinless should be the first to throw a stone at her." Then he bent down again and continued writing on the ground. One by one, beginning with the older men, the scribes and Pharisees left.

Jesus was left alone with the woman. Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Where did they go? Has anyone condemned you?"

The woman answered, "No one, sir."

Jesus said, "I don't condemn you either. Go! And leave your life of sin."

The Pharisees and teachers of the law were very religious people. They followed with great zeal the Torah and diligently studied the Scriptures. They kept the law to great detail. They also felt superior to the average person.

1. Did the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law care about this woman? Did they care that she did something wrong?

2. Were the Teachers of the Law being fair? Doesn’t it take two to commit adultery—where was the guy?

3. The Pharisees thought they were righteous people who were good enough for God. How did Jesus show them they were wrong?

4. How did Jesus show God's love and forgiveness to this woman?