Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.48UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.14UNLIKELY
Fear
0.08UNLIKELY
Joy
0.53LIKELY
Sadness
0.19UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.76LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.49UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.96LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.89LIKELY
Extraversion
0.35UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.67LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.82LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Setting
Opposition was heating up.
Jewish leaders were seeking to kill Jesus
Jesus travels to Jerusalem for Feast of Tabernacles: Several debates and much disagreement about Jesus
The Accused (vv.
3-6a)
Where is the man?
According to the Law, he should also be stoned.
How did these men catch this woman in the act?
This is all a setup to trap Jesus (v. 6)
If He agrees, He could be in trouble with the Roman authorities, and the crowd might turn against Him.
If He pardons her, then is He denying the Law of Moses?
What kind of teacher is He?
The Accusers (vv.
6b-8)
Jesus doesn’t speak to or answer them.
He simply stoops down and writes on the ground.
What did Jesus write?
We aren’t told, and we can’t know.
All answers are mere speculation.
The accusers continue to press Jesus with questions, until he “stands up”
“Let him who is without sin...”
Jesus is not requiring that judgments can only be made by perfect, sinless individuals.
Is Jesus speaking about similar sin?
Is He pointing out their own lust or adultery?
Possibly
Most likely, Jesus is exposing them as malicious witnesses.
Malicious and False witnesses shared the fate of the accused
“Cast the first stone”
The Law called for eyewitnesses to be the first to throw stones in an execution
If any of these men could say they were honest, noble witnesses motivated by “purging evil from the land” then they should go ahead and uphold the law and cast the first stone as required.
Jesus returns to simply writing on the ground
IV.
The Acquittal
The Acquittal
Accusers leave, beginning with the oldest first, until all are gone.
They were willing to humiliate this woman in order to shame and trap Jesus, but they are the ones that leave in shame.
Jesus stands up (second time) – His words and tone are respectful and kind, yet straightforward.
“Neither do I condemn you” – under the law, there had to be two or more witnesses.
None were left, and so the woman could not be condemned!
Jesus turns out to be the Master of the Law!
“Sin no more..”
Jesus never condones the woman’s behavior, and He does not view immorality lightly
Jesus’ desire is to save people from their sins
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
While Jesus offers forgiveness, He clearly commands a changed lifestyle.
(3) While Jesus offers forgiveness, He clearly commands a changed lifestyle.
“...Christ’s forgiveness is freely given, but it is not cheap.
With grace comes the expectation of godliness.”[1]
Conclusion
We should care for the souls of others.
We bring people to save them, not to condemn them.
This story is a picture of God’s grace and mercy.
Though we deserve condemnation, God mercifully provided a sacrifice in our place, and graciously offers redemption, freedom, and life.
This story is not a license to sin.
Having been forgiven by Christ, we must “go our way, and sin no more.”
[1] Mark Moore, The Chronological Life of Christ, pg.
346
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9