Caught in Adultery

[tango]

I would imagine so. If Jesus said "let him who is without sin..." and one by one they all left I figure they all accepted that they weren't so righteous after all.

[keck553]

All true about the witnesses, etc. Another example of Jesus putting God's law above the traditions of men...but there's more!!

I just LOVE this story. I just want to share a study I did regarding Jesus writing in the dust with His finger. It fulfills prophecy.

First, a little background on the culture. When children were taught, a layer of sand was spread on a board and the lesson written in the sand. When the lesson was over, the sand was wiped off the board (note key word: wiped off)

Jer 17:13 Hope of Isra'el, Adonai! All who abandon you will be ashamed, those who leave you will be inscribed in the dust, because they have abandoned Adonai, the source of living water.

If so, I wouldn't want to be the one Jesus was writing in the dust.....

[Scubadude]

I would imagine so. If Jesus said "let him who is without sin..." and one by one they all left I figure they all accepted that they weren't so righteous after all.

I haven't thought about this before. Usually, my response towards the men in this story is one of indignation. They conspired to trap Jesus in the most ugly way by degrading this woman (and themselves). But after reading through this thread, I'm starting to think there may have been some hope for these guys after all. In fact, I think Jesus turned an ugly situation into something beautiful by exposing everyones need for a savior and repentance. The woman and the men.

[Thaddaeus]

Why didn't Jesus condemn the woman caught in adultery when the law obviously did?

A greater question than this would be why didn't Jesus condemn me, but for you to find the true answer to your question mikebr is to find the answer to this question: why didn't Jesus condemn mikebr For we also know that the law says

Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[9Marksfan]

I would imagine so. If Jesus said "let him who is without sin..." and one by one they all left I figure they all accepted that they weren't so righteous after all.

But note that NONE of them went to Christ for forgiveness - this is something I've never noticed before - although the woman was clearly penitent for her sin, she didn't turn away from Christ and leave like the others - she was drawn by His grace to stay and listen! Had never noticed this until now.

The scribes and Pharisees were convicted - but remained in their sins - they turned away from Jesus, even though they knew they were guilty - I've seen this happen so often - people being convicted without being converted.......

But this woman stayed and stood before Him - like she believed He had the right to condemn her (which He did) - yet she was forgiven by Jesus and commanded to sin no more - there's SO MUCH in this wonderful passage!

[Brother Mark]

But note that NONE of them went to Christ for forgiveness - this is something I've never noticed before - although the woman was clearly penitent for her sin, she didn't turn away from Christ and leave like the others - she was drawn by His grace to stay and listen! Had never noticed this until now.

The scribes and Pharisees were convicted - but remained in their sins - they turned away from Jesus, even though they knew they were guilty - I've seen this happen so often - people being convicted without being converted.......

But this woman stayed and stood before Him - like she believed He had the right to condemn her (which He did) - yet she was forgiven by Jesus and commanded to sin no more - there's SO MUCH in this wonderful passage!

The law, used properly, should lead us to Christ. Though the way the Pharisees used it and the way others use it, it often leads to death and condemnation. Many teach that Judas didn't repent. But he did. He repented of what he had done. He just did not repent unto Christ. He repented from his sin but not to his Lord. And therein lies the rub for many folks. Even the heathen will sometimes repent of their sin because of what it is costing them. But sadly, they will not repent unto their Lord. As you have pointed out, we see that in this passage with the Pharisees.

[Jesusinmyheart]

To answer your question:

Why didn't Jesus condemn the woman caught in adultery when the law obviously did?

THe Law didn't actually condemn her at this point, because the Law also prescribed a certain way to go about making the right judgment concerning these things. If the prescribed course of finding fault with someone could not be followed then the whole case fell apart.

Deu 19:18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

Were the Pharisees without sin? Were they witnesses with integrity? This sort of scheme is still used today in the court to cast doubt upon the credibility of any witness against the accused.

Deu 17:6 On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

Were all the Pharisees witnesses to this crime? Even if, were they credible?

Lev 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

And the last issue is, where was the man whom this woman comitted adultery with?
Surely, if they were witnesses to the crime, they would have brought him too?

Now Yeshua also said:

Joh 12:47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

So here are the factors that weighed in on that day.

Now the Pharisees came to test him, and through the Law Yeshua stood that test, because He knew exactly how to apply it.
There was nothing miraculous about this whole thing, Yeshua used the existing Law to set her free. The requirements for punishment were not met and satisfied.

Yeshua knowing her heart though sternly warned her to go and sin no more.

Yeshua said neither do i condemn you, is because He knows as long any of us are still alive there's hope of our return and repentance. God would rather see us turn and repent instead of die at which point no one can do any more work.

Shalom,
Tanja