Moses Commanded to Stone Her - John 8:5

The apostle John wrote how, “Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act”, and in chapter eight and verse five John shared how the Pharisees tell Jesus, “Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned” where we read:

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you?

The verse reads, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned:” John began with the words, “Now Moses” which means “moreover Moses whose name means drawing out and was the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion” “in the law” or “within the rule producing a state approved of God” “commanded us” which means “enjoined and ordered we religious leaders”, “that such should be stoned” or “that anyone who was caught in the act of adultery was to be pelted by rocks and stones until they were dead”. John shared how the “religious leaders” referred to the “law of Moses” who instructed the religious leaders to “stone to death” anyone who was caught in the act of adultery. (See Deuteronomy 22:22-24)

The verse goes on to say, “but what say you?” John continued with the words, “but” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover” “what say you” or “what do you, Jesus, utter, declare and proclaim should be done”? John shared how the “religious leaders” wanted to know what Jesus thought should be done to the woman.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how these “scribes and Pharisees” were well-versed in the “law of Moses” that said the “woman”, and the man also, were to be “stoned to death” for their “adulterous act”. Legally, they were correct, however, they underestimated Jesus' reason for coming to the earth. Jesus previously said, “whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already in his heart” (See Matthew 5:28), and it was the “spirit” of the person that “condemned” them and not just the physical act. In other words, everyone would be guilty if they were judged by their “spirit” and not just the acts they perform. These “religious leaders” will be exposed for their true motives in asking Jesus what He thought should be done, and Jesus will reveal His purpose through this story to demonstrate His willingness to “forgive” all people who humble themselves before Him. Let all who read these words imagine themselves as the “condemned” woman before men, but also the “forgiveness” that is extended by Jesus toward her.

Next time John shares how the Pharisees said this, “tempting him, that they might have to accuse him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".