Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. (John 4-6a)

In this passage, people are trying to trap Jesus by giving him a dilemma that appears to have no good answer. Much like the story of Caesar’s likeness on the coin in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In this case, it seems as if Jesus either has to repudiate the law of Moses, which requires that the adultress be stoned, or the Roman law that forbids the Jewish people to exact death as a punishment (that was reserved only to the Roman authorities.) For the questioners, there is no good option for Jesus, and he will incriminate himself in either case. A true “gotcha” moment in their minds. And Jesus is aware of their evil intent.

However, what we end up with in today’s Gospel is a powerful moment of mercy and justice. The scribes and Pharisees bring before Jesus a woman caught in adultery, eager to test Him. According to the Law of Moses, she deserved death. But Jesus, full of wisdom and compassion, bends down, writes in the dust, and then speaks those unforgettable words: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” If they had a mic drop back then, surely this would be a fitting moment!

Jesus, as he does so often, turns the tables on his accusers. Now, THEY are faced with a

dilemma. Do I falsely claim I have no sin and stone this woman, or do I admit my sin and ignore the Law of Moses??

One by one, her accusers walk away until only Jesus remains. Instead of condemnation, He

offers her mercy: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, sin no more.” Try to put

yourself in that woman’s shoes and imagine a crowd encircled around you, ready to stone you. And Jesus comes along, not with more condemnation, but with the embrace of the Father. He literally offers her (us) a new life. She must have been overcome with gratitude, don’t you think? What about us? Do we realize what Jesus has done for us?

What was Jesus doing when he stooped down to write on the ground? We really don’t know, but an ancient manuscript translated the passage to suggest Jesus was writing the sins of the accusers in the dirt. They were watching their own sins be publicized as Jesus wrote them! Whether legendary or not, it speaks a powerful truth that God knows our hearts—the good and the not-so-good. Nothing is hidden.

This passage reminds us of three essential truths which come to us again and again in the New Testament:

1. We are all sinners. The Pharisees were eager to condemn, but Jesus exposed their own need for mercy. How often do we judge others while ignoring our own faults?

2. Jesus does not condone sin, but He offers mercy. He tells the woman to go and sin no more. Christ’s mercy is not a license to continue in sin, but an invitation to transformation.

3. Grace is greater than judgment. The law called for punishment, but Jesus showed that love and mercy lead to true conversion. His response teaches us how we should treat others—with justice, yes, but also with love and forgiveness. That can be a tough one at times, can’t it?

As we reflect on this Gospel, let us ask ourselves: Do we stand with the accusers, ready to cast stones? Or do we stand with Christ, offering mercy and calling others to new life?

Let us pray that we might be people of compassion, slow to judge and quick to forgive, just as Jesus forgives us.