John 8:7
Verse
Context
The Woman Caught in Adultery
6They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.7When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”8And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that is without sin - Αναμαρτητος, meaning the same kind of sin, adultery, fornication, etc. Kypke has largely proved that the verb ἁμαρτανειν is used in this sense by the best Greek writers. Let him first cast a stone at her - Or, upon her, επ' αυτῃ. The Jewish method of stoning, according to the rabbins, was as follows: The culprit, half naked, the hands tied behind the back, was placed on a scaffold, ten or twelve feet high; the witnesses, who stood with her, pushed her off with great force: if she was killed by the fall there was nothing farther done; but, if she was not, one of the witnesses took up a very large stone, and dashed it upon her breast, which generally was the coup de grace, or finishing stroke. This mode of punishment seems referred to, Mat 21:44. However, this procedure does not appear to have been always attended to. See Lev 24:16, and Joh 8:59 of this chapter.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 (Deu 17:7).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. As before, having said enough to confound them; and yet unwilling to pursue the matter any further, or publicly expose them in any other way; and that they might have an opportunity of withdrawing themselves without any further notice of his, he took this method. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. As before, having said enough to confound them; and yet unwilling to pursue the matter any further, or publicly expose them in any other way; and that they might have an opportunity of withdrawing themselves without any further notice of his, he took this method. John 8:9 joh 8:9 joh 8:9 joh 8:9And they which heard it,.... Not all, not the disciples of Christ, nor the multitude, but the Scribes and Pharisees: being convicted by their own conscience; that they were not without sin, nor free from this; they had a beam in their own eye, who were so forward to observe the mote in another's; and oftentimes so it is, that those who are most forward to reprove, and bear hardest on others for their sins, are as culpable in another way, if not in the same; when sin lies at the door, and conscience is awakened and open, it is as good as a thousand witnesses; and lets in, and owns the sin which lies heavy, and makes sad work; and fills with anguish, confusion, and shame, as it did these men: who went out one by one; from the temple, in as private a manner, and as unobserved as they could: beginning at the eldest: who might have been most culpable, or however soonest took the hint; being more wise and sagacious: unto the last; this is wanting in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions, and in two of Beza's copies, and the Basil edition: and Jesus was left alone; not by his disciples, nor the multitude, but his antagonists, who came to tempt and ensnare him: for it follows, and the woman standing in the midst; that is, of the company as before.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:7 Jesus’ answer did not mean that an accuser had to be morally perfect to make legal accusations. His reference to the one who has never sinned points to the motives of the accusers.
John 8:7
The Woman Caught in Adultery
6They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.7When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”8And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(First Baptist Church) #2 - Conscience
By J. Edwin Orr4.8K52:54ConsciencePSA 139:23ISA 1:18HOS 4:14JHN 8:7ROM 2:1ROM 3:23HEB 9:14In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting and convincing the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He discusses the importance of working on one's conscience and being willing to repent and seek deliverance from sinful practices. The preacher also mentions a conversation about the AIDS epidemic and the need for personal responsibility. He highlights the significance of having a clear conscience and behaving with godly sincerity. The sermon encourages listeners to let their conscience be their guide, but also acknowledges the need for obedience to God's Word.
What Is Conscience
By J. Edwin Orr4.3K54:43Revival TheologyPSA 139:23JHN 8:7JHN 16:8JHN 16:13ACT 24:16ROM 13:5In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing that he is teaching rather than preaching due to his recent health issues. He mentions his gratitude for the extra years given to him by the Lord and his desire to continue serving Him. The speaker then recalls the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik, by the Russians and reflects on the meaning of the word "Sputnik" which refers to accompanying one when it goes along. He goes on to discuss the importance of conscience and shares personal anecdotes to illustrate its role in making moral decisions. The speaker emphasizes that conscience is not part of the intellect, will, or emotion, but it is something that belongs to each individual. He concludes by mentioning an initiative by a university to invite foreign students to Thanksgiving dinner and how it reflects the wholesome nature of the American holiday.
Kber-03 the Coming Holocaust 3 of 3
By Art Katz2.1K39:01End TimesISA 53:5MAT 6:33JHN 8:7JHN 14:6ACT 4:12ROM 3:231JN 1:9In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey from being a Marxist to finding hope and salvation in Jesus Christ. He describes how he met a stranger who listened to him and drew out his deepest secrets and struggles. This encounter led him to question what the world truly needs. Eventually, he has a transformative experience where he accepts Jesus as his savior and is filled with the Holy Spirit. The speaker concludes by mentioning how he lost his friends and faced opposition when he shared his testimony, but he found a new community in the church.
Neither Do I Condemn You
By John Piper1.6K40:54DEU 22:22MAT 9:13JHN 7:23JHN 8:7JHN 8:11ROM 8:1EPH 2:8HEB 4:161PE 1:16This sermon delves into a controversial passage in the Bible, discussing the authenticity and significance of the story of the woman caught in adultery. It explores the scholarly debate around the inclusion of this story in the Gospel of John, highlighting the importance of textual criticism and the reliability of the New Testament manuscripts. The sermon emphasizes Jesus' exaltation over the law, his establishment of righteousness on the foundation of grace, and the call to pursue holiness in light of God's forgiveness and mercy.
Love of God - Part 2
By K.P. Yohannan1.6K26:09Love Of GodJHN 8:7JHN 8:10In this sermon, K.P. Ohanon discusses the profound love of God. He begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding God's love through the word of God. He then shares a story he recently paraphrased, imagining himself as a witness to a powerful event. The story portrays God's unconditional love and forgiveness, highlighting the fact that God does not condemn us but offers forgiveness because of His love. The sermon concludes with a description of Jesus' interaction with a woman who had sinned, illustrating how Jesus lovingly wiped away her tears and healed her soul.
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
How to Be a Missions Mobiliser
By George Verwer66443:34MAT 6:19JHN 8:7ACT 1:8The video discusses the importance of distributing powerful sermon materials to churches and individuals around the world. It encourages viewers to make a commitment to getting involved in the distribution of these materials in their own churches and communities. The video also emphasizes the significance of attending missions events and not being deterred by personal preferences, such as music style. It highlights the need for missions mobilizers to gather information on open doors for new workers and emphasizes the importance of biblical teaching on financial giving and stewardship.
K-518 Tv Show Part 2 Testimony
By Art Katz61025:58InterviewGEN 12:1MAT 5:17MAT 22:37JHN 8:7ACT 9:2ROM 3:23HEB 4:12In this video, two Jewish men, Art Katz and Paul Gordon, share their personal experiences with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They express their dissatisfaction with life and their search for something missing. They describe how they encountered the word of God, which had a profound impact on them, cutting through their souls and spirits. They also discuss the concept of sin and how Jesus' statement about casting the first stone applies to everyone, highlighting the need for self-reflection and humility.
Married Life and Raising Children
By Zac Poonen6021:00:32PRO 22:6JHN 8:71CO 11:141TI 3:2REV 3:19This sermon emphasizes the importance of family life in the church ministry under the New Covenant, contrasting it with the Old Covenant. It highlights the need for good testimonies at home, the role of elders and servants in the church, the significance of personal walks with God, family life, and church ministry. The speaker stresses the balance between discipline and mercy, following the spirit rather than the letter of the law, and prioritizing God's approval over people's opinions.
Being Honest About Our Sins
By Zac Poonen52755:45PSA 32:5PRO 14:12MRK 10:51LUK 18:14LUK 19:10JHN 8:7JAS 4:10This sermon emphasizes the importance of submitting to God's way rather than choosing our own way. It highlights the need for humility, honesty, and confession of personal sins to experience God's salvation and transformation. The message stresses the significance of understanding and following God's ways, which lead to blessings, peace, and a deeper relationship with Him.
Womens Aglow
By Hattie Hammond38958:25ConferenceJHN 8:7ACT 9:6ROM 8:2GAL 2:20EPH 2:1In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the transformation of the apostle Paul, who was once filled with hatred and violence towards Christians. The speaker emphasizes that something profound happened to Paul on the Damascus road, causing him to completely change his life and surrender to Jesus as Lord. The speaker highlights the power of Jesus' resurrection, stating that it dealt a blow to death and delivered believers from the law of sin and death. The speaker also mentions the guards at Jesus' tomb, questioning their efficiency and pointing out that it was God who raised Jesus from the dead, not Jesus himself.
Love Mercy - John 8:7
By Bernard Fell0NEH 9:17MAT 7:1JHN 8:7GAL 6:11JN 1:8Bernard Fell preaches about the importance of showing mercy and grace towards others, highlighting the story of Jesus protecting a woman from being stoned by reminding the accusers of their own sins. He emphasizes the need for self-reflection and humility before passing judgment on others, urging listeners to be compassionate and understanding rather than quick to condemn. Bernard Fell encourages the congregation to be mindful of their own faults and to extend a helping hand to those who have stumbled, just as God offers forgiveness and second chances to all.
Anyone Can Criticize
By K.P. Yohannan0CriticismConstructive FeedbackPRO 15:1MAT 7:1JHN 8:7ROM 12:172CO 10:7GAL 6:1EPH 4:29COL 3:131TH 5:11JAS 1:19K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the ease of criticism in society, comparing it to spectators at a football game who offer expert critiques without participating in the struggle. He highlights that criticism often stems from personal hurt and can be particularly painful when it comes from within the Church. Drawing on the examples of Jesus and Paul, he encourages believers to respond to criticism with love and grace, rather than retaliation, and to focus on their calling despite opposition. Yohannan stresses the importance of constructive criticism rooted in love, which aims to build others up rather than tear them down.
Bishop Wilson's Meditations on His Sacred Office, No. 5.-- Thursday--(Continued)
By J.H. Newman0MAT 18:15MRK 5:4JHN 8:7ACT 8:32CO 10:8GAL 5:122TH 3:141TI 5:202TI 2:25J.H. Newman preaches on the importance of Church discipline, emphasizing the authority given by Jesus Christ to His ministers to judge and discipline according to His Word. Excommunication is highlighted as a necessary punishment to reform the wicked and remove scandals, with the goal of preserving the honor of religion. The sermon stresses the need for true repentance, the dangers of false penitence, and the importance of pastors in guiding sinners back to the right path. It also addresses the balance between severity and compassion in discipline, the power of repentance, and the role of the Church in forgiving sins and restoring the fallen.
Jesus Shows Mercy to an Adulterous Woman John 8:1-11
By David Servant0MAT 7:1LUK 6:37JHN 8:7JHN 8:10ROM 2:1David Servant preaches about the encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees who brought an adulterous woman to Him in an attempt to trap Him. Jesus, filled with wisdom, turned the tables on the Pharisees by challenging them to judge themselves first before passing judgment on others. He highlighted the importance of mercy, repentance, and not condemning others, as He showed compassion to the guilty woman. Jesus' actions revealed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and emphasized the need for all to repent and seek forgiveness.
A Just God and a Saviour
By John Nelson Darby0GraceForgivenessJHN 8:7ROM 3:23ROM 6:23EPH 2:8John Nelson Darby emphasizes the disparity in human standards of good and evil, illustrating how individuals often judge themselves favorably while condemning others. He highlights the story of the woman caught in adultery, showing that both she and her accusers were guilty before God, and that true judgment comes from comparing oneself to God's righteousness rather than to others. Darby explains that grace, which offers full forgiveness without conditions, is often misunderstood and resisted by those who do not recognize their own sinfulness. He concludes that only by acknowledging our guilt and standing before Jesus can we receive His unconditional pardon, which empowers us to overcome sin. The message is one of hope, emphasizing that God is both just and a Savior, ready to forgive those who come to Him in humility.
"The Wretched Woman of John Eight"
By Charles Alexander0PSA 139:23PRO 30:5JER 17:13MAT 26:6MRK 14:8LUK 7:36JHN 8:72TI 3:161JN 5:7Charles Alexander preaches about the importance of preserving the roots of faith and language by holding onto the Authorized Version of the Bible amidst the influx of newer translations. He emphasizes the need to resist subtle erosions of the Word of God and challenges believers to consider the implications of critical attacks on the Bible's authenticity. The sermon delves into the story of the woman taken in adultery in John 8, defending its canonicity and highlighting its deep significance and prophetic meaning. Alexander warns against the dangers of accepting new versions that may undermine the foundations of faith and lead to confusion and uncertainty.
The Jesus of John: Lover of Men and Women
By Ronald W. Graham0JHN 3:16JHN 4:24JHN 8:7JHN 11:25JHN 15:141JN 4:16Ronald W. Graham preaches about the Jesus of John, focusing on His portrayal as a lover of men and women. The sermon delves into the deep theological implications of God's love as central to His nature, as seen in the Epistle and Gospel of John. Specific individuals in the Gospel, such as Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the Jerusalem woman caught in adultery, and the Bethany friends, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, are highlighted to showcase Jesus' love, respect, sensitivity, and transformative relationships with each person.
The Limits of God's Grace
By David Servant0LEV 20:10MAT 6:12LUK 13:3JHN 8:7JHN 8:111CO 6:9TIT 2:11JAS 4:61JN 1:9JUD 1:4David Servant preaches on the true biblical concept of grace, using the story of Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery to illustrate that grace is not a license to sin but a temporary opportunity to repent before facing condemnation. He emphasizes that God's grace is conditional upon humble repentance and ongoing holiness, refuting the misconception that Christians can continue sinning without consequences. Servant highlights the importance of obedience born of faith as the proper response to the grace God offers, stressing that repentance and a commitment to follow God's commandments are essential for entering the kingdom of heaven.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He that is without sin - Αναμαρτητος, meaning the same kind of sin, adultery, fornication, etc. Kypke has largely proved that the verb ἁμαρτανειν is used in this sense by the best Greek writers. Let him first cast a stone at her - Or, upon her, επ' αυτῃ. The Jewish method of stoning, according to the rabbins, was as follows: The culprit, half naked, the hands tied behind the back, was placed on a scaffold, ten or twelve feet high; the witnesses, who stood with her, pushed her off with great force: if she was killed by the fall there was nothing farther done; but, if she was not, one of the witnesses took up a very large stone, and dashed it upon her breast, which generally was the coup de grace, or finishing stroke. This mode of punishment seems referred to, Mat 21:44. However, this procedure does not appear to have been always attended to. See Lev 24:16, and Joh 8:59 of this chapter.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 (Deu 17:7).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. As before, having said enough to confound them; and yet unwilling to pursue the matter any further, or publicly expose them in any other way; and that they might have an opportunity of withdrawing themselves without any further notice of his, he took this method. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. As before, having said enough to confound them; and yet unwilling to pursue the matter any further, or publicly expose them in any other way; and that they might have an opportunity of withdrawing themselves without any further notice of his, he took this method. John 8:9 joh 8:9 joh 8:9 joh 8:9And they which heard it,.... Not all, not the disciples of Christ, nor the multitude, but the Scribes and Pharisees: being convicted by their own conscience; that they were not without sin, nor free from this; they had a beam in their own eye, who were so forward to observe the mote in another's; and oftentimes so it is, that those who are most forward to reprove, and bear hardest on others for their sins, are as culpable in another way, if not in the same; when sin lies at the door, and conscience is awakened and open, it is as good as a thousand witnesses; and lets in, and owns the sin which lies heavy, and makes sad work; and fills with anguish, confusion, and shame, as it did these men: who went out one by one; from the temple, in as private a manner, and as unobserved as they could: beginning at the eldest: who might have been most culpable, or however soonest took the hint; being more wise and sagacious: unto the last; this is wanting in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions, and in two of Beza's copies, and the Basil edition: and Jesus was left alone; not by his disciples, nor the multitude, but his antagonists, who came to tempt and ensnare him: for it follows, and the woman standing in the midst; that is, of the company as before.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:7 Jesus’ answer did not mean that an accuser had to be morally perfect to make legal accusations. His reference to the one who has never sinned points to the motives of the accusers.