And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just say "be sinless," but rather "let the one without sin among you be the first to throw a stone." This points to the hypocrisy of those accusing her; they were certainly not innocent, even if their specific sin was different. He flips the script, demanding personal purity before judgment, exposing their own guilt and silencing their condemnation.
And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has been teaching in the temple, and religious leaders try to trap him by bringing a woman caught in adultery, demanding he apply Moses' law for her punishment. Jesus initially responds by stooping and writing in the dust, seemingly ignoring them and the woman. When they press him with their question, he rises and challenges the accusers to cast the first stone if they are without sin.
The religious leaders corner Jesus with a woman caught in adultery, demanding a verdict. Jesus' response flips the script, but what did 'without sin' actually mean in this moment?
Jesus doesn't offer a philosophical debate on sinless perfection. Instead, he uses the Mosaic Law's requirement for witnesses to initiate a stoning (Deuteronomy 17:7) as a clever test.
Not Sinless Perfection
The Immediate Context is Key
Before Jesus answers, he stoops and writes on the ground. What was the significance of this action, and how did it amplify his words?
Ask a follow-up
Jesus' actions speak as loudly as his words, creating a powerful moment of confrontation and reflection.
A Moment of Disregard
The Weight of Truth
Jesus' response doesn't abolish the Law, nor does it simply condone the woman's sin. How does he balance divine justice with mercy?
Jesus navigates a complex situation, upholding God's standards while demonstrating His own merciful mission.
Upholding the Law's Intent
Extending Grace, Not Condemnation
Understand the original words
hamartia · Greek Noun
A missing of the mark; failing to conform to the moral standard of God's law. It represents both the state of rebellion against God and the individual acts of transgression.
baletō · Greek Verb
The act of casting a stone or another object at someone, signifying the execution of capital punishment under Mosaic Law. It serves as a symbol of divine or communal judgment against a severe violation of the Covenant.
This event takes place during Jesus's public ministry in Jerusalem, specifically within the Temple precincts, amidst intense opposition from religious authorities.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches in the Temple
Jesus is teaching in the Temple complex in Jerusalem, drawing crowds. Religious leaders, seeking to trap Him, bring a woman accused of adultery.
c. 30 AD
Accusation and Interrogation
The scribes and Pharisees present the woman, citing Moses' law that she should be stoned, challenging Jesus to either contradict Moses or condemn her.
c. 30 AD
Jesus's Response and Reflection
Jesus writes on the ground, then challenges the accusers: 'He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.'
c. 30 AD
Accusers Depart
Confronted by their own consciences and Jesus's words, the accusers, starting with the elders, leave one by one, unable to cast the first stone.
c. 30 AD
Jesus and the Woman
Jesus, finding only the woman left, asks about her accusers and tells her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.'
This passage describes the Mosaic Law, which stipulated that the witnesses were to be the first to cast stones at someone condemned to death, directly informing Jesus' challenge to the accusers.
Matthew 7:1-5Jesus teaches the principle of not judging others, which is echoed here as he exposes the hypocrisy of those quick to condemn but likely harboring their own faults.
Romans 2:1-3This passage directly addresses the hypocrisy of those who judge others for sins they themselves commit, a core theme in Jesus' confrontation in John 8.
1 Corinthians 6:7-8Paul discusses the impropriety of believers taking fellow believers to court, which parallels Jesus' point about the unsuitability of self-righteous individuals acting as accusers and executioners.
jfbJohn 8:7: "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
- He that is without sin—not meaning sinless altogether; nor yet, guiltless of a literal breach of the Seventh Commandment; but probably, he whose conscience acquits him of any such sin.cast a stone—"the stone," meaning the first one (De 17:7).
calvinJohn 8:1-11: "Jesus went unto the mount of Olives."
- But Jesus went to the mountain of Olives. 2. And early in the morning he again came to the temple, and all the people came to him; and sitting down, he taught them 3. And the scribes and Pharisees bring to him a woman caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst, 4. They say to him, Master, this woman was caught in the very act, while she was committing adultery. 5. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such persons; but what sayes…
Jesus doesn't just say "be sinless," but rather "let the one without sin among you be the first to throw a stone." This points to the hypocrisy of those accusing her; they were certainly not innocent, even if their specific sin was different. He flips the script, demanding personal purity before judgment, exposing their own guilt and silencing their condemnation.
Jesus has been teaching in the temple, and religious leaders try to trap him by bringing a woman caught in adultery, demanding he apply Moses' law for her punishment. Jesus initially responds by stooping and writing in the dust, seemingly ignoring them and the woman. When they press him with their question, he rises and challenges the accusers to cast the first stone if they are without sin.
Jesus has been teaching in the temple, and religious leaders try to trap him by bringing a woman caught in adultery, demanding he apply Moses' law for her punishment. Jesus initially responds by stooping and writing in the dust, seemingly ignoring them and the woman. When they press him with their question, he rises and challenges the accusers to cast the first stone if they are without sin.
"And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”" — Jesus doesn't just say "be sinless," but rather "let the one without sin among you be the first to throw a stone." This points to the hypocrisy of those accusing her; they were certainly not innoce…
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Last reviewed October 2026