A Sinner Jesus Forgives
INTRO:
The connivers (8:1–4)
1. The accusers (8:3a):
2. The accused (8:3b–4):
The conniving (8:5–6a)
1. What they say (8:5):
Stoning is the biblically prescribed punishment for a betrothed virgin who was sexually unfaithful to her fiancé, a punishment to be meted out to both sexual partners (Dt. 22:23–24). Elsewhere (Lv. 20:10; Dt. 22:22) death is prescribed for all unfaithful wives and their lovers, but no mode (such as stoning) is laid down. In the Mishnah (Sanhedrin, 7:4), however, the two cases are sharply differentiated: the offense in the first instance is punishable by stoning (it is viewed as the more serious of the two), and the second by strangling. That would mean the woman in this passage was betrothed, not married. It is rather doubtful, however, that the distinction existed in Jesus’ day (Carson, p. 335).
2. Why they said it (8:6a):
The challenge (8:6b–8)
1. What Jesus does (8:6b, 8):
2. What Jesus says (8:7):
The convicted (8:9):
Imagine a stage play as you watch in silence—no dialogue, no music. The confident and critical Pharisees, moments ago pointing their fingers at the woman and at Jesus, now silently exit stage right or stage left without another word. Christians are not perfect—just forgiven. And because of the extent of God’s forgiveness to us, we ought to be the least judgmental people in the world.