Bringing Light to a Woman's Dark World

John does not include what it is that Jesus writes in the dirt, but it does not play a major role in this story.  The act itself is more important.  Jesus ignoring their question is a creative act of resistance that robs the scribes and Pharisees of both their power and prey.  Jesus refuses to engage in their arguments over the law when a woman’s life is at stake. The religious authorities continue to badger Jesus to answer them, while the woman wonders how long until the stoning begins.  Finally, Jesus stands up and answers the scribes and Pharisees.

His response is, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (v. 7b).  The law of Moses must be followed - the woman should be stoned for adultery!  Jesus’ prerequisite, however, is that only a person who is sinless may throw the first stone at the woman. None of her accusers or anyone in the crowd can fulfill this stipulation that Jesus adds.  This statement leaves all present speechless.

The roles are reversed between Jesus and his opponents.  Jesus takes their question and turns it in on the religious authorities instead of the abused woman.  He calls the religious authorities to accountability for twisting the law to their own ends and for the exploitation of this woman. Jesus bends down a second time and continues to write on the ground.  This time it is not to avoid anyone’s questions.  Jesus’ action gives time for the scribes and Pharisees to reflect on whether they stand up to the same code that they are using against the exploited woman.  Their silence and slipping away answer Jesus’ question quite clearly – they are all guilty of sin perhaps even sexual sin.

After all the opponents leave, Jesus addresses the woman for the first time.  For the entire scene, she has been a victim of her surroundings, but she becomes an active character when Jesus begins to question her. This is the first time she is addressed by anyone in the story!  He rhetorically asks, “Where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  She replies, “No one, sir.”  Jesus answers her with one of the most memorable lines in all of Scripture: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” Jesus is the only one who has the right to judge or withhold judgment. In his only statement to the woman, he recognizes her sin but refuses to condemn her.  Many see Jesus’ words on par with the paralytic in John 5.  Jesus gives her not only her physical life but also a chance for a new life lived in right relationship with God.  Jesus brings light into the dark world of this oppressed woman.