An Adulteress Forgiven

At dawn he went to the temple(A) again, and all the people were coming to him.(B) He sat down(C) and began to teach them.

Then the scribes and the Pharisees(D) brought a woman caught in adultery,(E) making her stand in the center. “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.(F) In the law Moses(G) commanded us to stone such women.(H) So what do you say?” They asked this to trap him,(I) in order that they might have evidence to accuse him.

Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin(J) among you(K) should be the first to throw a stone at her.”(L) Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center. 10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, Lord,”[a] she answered.

“Neither do I condemn you,”(M) said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”]

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Footnotes

  1. 8:11 Or Sir; Jn 4:15,49; 5:7; 6:34; 9:36

And early in the morning He came again into the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and (A)He sat down and began teaching them. Now the scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, and after placing her in the center of the courtyard, they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the Law, (B)Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” Now they were saying this to (C)test Him, (D)so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. When they persisted in asking Him, (E)He straightened up and said to them, (F)He who is without sin among you, let him be the (G)first to throw a stone at her.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Now when they heard this, they began leaving, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman where she was, in the center of the courtyard. 10 And (H)straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, (I)I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not (J)sin any longer.”]]

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Footnotes

  1. John 8:11 Or Sir