Counter-Culture Quotes of Jesus – Cast the First Stone

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Thread: Counter-Culture Quotes of Jesus

Post Topic: Cast the First Stone

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Scripture: John 8:1-11

Key Verse:
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone at her.”
John 8:7

Observations

Today’s culture says:

We are not responsible for our own faults. But we should address everyone else’s injustices.

Jewish culture said:

The religious authorities’ interpretations carried more weight than Scripture. Over time, their oral tradition had expanded the original text to justify their positions and beliefs.

Context

In the previous chapter, the religious leaders had attempted to have Jesus arrested.
The temple guards (Jewish men keeping order in the Temple) had been sent to arrest Jesus. They returned empty-handed, marveling at how He spoke like none other.
The exasperated priests continued to plot how to arrest Jesus without stirring up the people’s wrath.

The Trap

They caught a woman in the act of adultery and brought her before Jesus.
Where was the man? He committed adultery too. Perhaps the woman was set up?
They asked if she should be stoned according to the law of Moses
If He said no, they’d claim He was defying the law.
If He said yes, they could report him to the Romans (Jews weren’t allowed to carry out capital punishment)

The Response

Jesus put it back on them. You who is without sin, throw the first stone.
Who is without sin? None of them were willing to throw the first stone. They slowly thudded to the ground, and the accusers melted away.

The Woman

Her accusers disappeared.
She remained in front of Jesus. She could have slinked away.
Jesus still instructed her to stop sinning.
Jesus told her that He did not condemn her.

Interpretation

Setting

On the temple grounds, where Jesus had been teaching. He was likely surrounded in the courtyard by his disciples and a crowd of onlookers listening to His words.

Genre

Historical narrative

Author

John is the only gospel writer to record this incident, and many scholars say this account was not part of the original manuscript. But if that’s true, how did it get in there?

Imagine…

You’re holding a stone, zealously defending the law, and wondering how Jesus will respond. After his answer, you look around, waiting for someone to throw that first one. But it doesn’t fly. Nobody makes eye contact. The rock slips out of your fingers, and you slink away.

Do you carry a sense of guilt with you? Or do you simmer with anger that Jesus would dare compare your miniscule sins to that adulteress?

Takeaways

If I try to trap God, or twist Scripture to my wishes, I’ll end up humiliated.
Perhaps public slander and humiliation of those we don’t like isn’t the best path.
Jesus knows our hearts.
- He knew the men were trying to trap Him.
- He knew the adulteress was a sinner, but she was rescuable.
Jesus didn’t excuse her sin, but neither did he condemn her.

Correlation

Deuteronomy 17:7 – The hands of a witness against the accused must be the first used in the execution. A witness against the adulteress would’ve been required to cast the first stone.
- Jesus’ rebuttal referenced the law, but with a condition: you who are without sin cast the first stone.
Leviticus 20:10 – The law against sleeping with another man’s wife. Both are to be put to death. Where is the man in this story in John?
Romans 2:1; Romans 2:22 – these speak about judging people for the same things we ourselves are guilty of.
Romans 8:1 – there is no condemnation if we are in Christ Jesus.
John 3:17-18 – Jesus’ purpose in coming to this world was salvation, not condemnation.

Application

Generic Applications

We need to be careful about improperly applying individual verses or passages to justify our own actions (the way these men applied Old Testament law). This is why a deeper knowledge of Scripture is beneficial, no matter what our current proficiency.
We need to be honest about our own failings when judging others.
Jesus doesn’t excuse our sins. We need to repent. But if we do, He will not condemn.

Personalize it

Do you feel condemned for some lingering or past sin? Jesus doesn’t want this for you.
Am I too quick to condemn others?
- This too would be something to repent of, but then to no longer feel guilty about 😊

Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:

Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.

Daniel P Warner