Special Note: This story does not appear in any of the early manuscripts until the 10th or 11th centuries C.E. It is not in any of the original Biblical manuscripts at all. Although probably added much later by some translator, it does seem like an event that could have happened. It is also not known for sure where in the chronological sequence that this story should be placed. What makes this place likely is the O.T. prophecy Yeshua fulfills by writing on the ground the day after they reject Him as the Living Waters in the Temple ceremony.
Jn. 7:53 And everyone went to his own house.
Jn. 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Jn. 8:2 But early in the morning He came again to the Temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.
Before the Feast of Sukkoth the rabbis taught every passage of Scripture dealing with living water (Maiyim Haiyim). It is the day following Sukkoth that Yeshua is found in the Women’s Court of the Temple. This day is also known as Shemini Atzeret or “the eighth day.” Shemini Atzeret today is followed by another festival known as Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Torah). However, in the days of the Temple, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah were celebrated on the same day.
Jn. 8:3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,
It is in this setting that those leaders who rejected Yeshua bring the woman caught in adultery before Him to hear His judgment regarding her. Just the day before these same men had participated in the Sukkoth water pouring ceremonies (Beit Shoveah) and had Yeshua cry out that if any man thirsted, to come to Him and He would give them a drink of living water. They rejected His offer.
Jn. 8:4 They said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.”
Jn. 8:5 “Now Moses, in the Law, commanded that such should be stoned, but what do You say?”
Now this is an obvious plot. They are trying to put Yeshua in a unique situation. There is no doubt what they say about this woman’s adultery, because supposedly she was caught in the very act. According to Mosaic Law those caught in adultery were to be punished by stoning (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22-24). If Yeshua says, “Do not stone her,” then He is speaking contrary to the Mosaic Law. They can finally accuse Him of violating it, not just the Mishnaic Law. On the other hand, if He says, “Do stone her,” then the Romans would have Him executed because they did not allow the Jews to carry out the death penalty. So either way, He would be in a fix.
Sources: Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22-24
Jn. 8:6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
This is, in fact, a kangaroo court. First of all, the act of adultery was a capital offense which could only be heard by the Sanhedrin. Secondly, the man that was caught in adultery with her was subject to the same death penalty. He should have been there, too. Although the accusers say that the woman was caught in the very act, they make no effort to produce the two witnesses required by Deut. 17:6, 19:15. Had these men brought the woman before the Sanhedrin, their case would have been thrown out if this was the best they could do.
Source: Deut. 17:7, 19:15
Now the big question: what did Yeshua write in the dirt? Remember, just the day before these same men rejected Yeshua’s offer of living water. Now Yeshua responds to their question by fulfilling an obscure prophecy found in Jeremiah 17:12,13. “A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary. O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away from You will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the spring of living waters.” Yeshua wrote their names in the dirt, as a symbol that judgment would come upon them.
Source: Jeremiah 17:12, 13
M:Sotah 47:11 says, “From the time that murderers have multiplied among us, the beheading of the heifer has ceased. Since the increase of adultery, the bitter waters (Sotah) have been out of use.” Because of an increase in adultery the practice of testing adultery with the bitter waters has not been used. No actual period of time for this was given. For a more expanded explanation of Sotah see segment #009 in volume #1.
Source: M:Sotah 47:11
Jn. 8:7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
Jn. 8:8 And again, He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
Jn. 8:9 Then those that heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Jn. 8:10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
Jn. 8:11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Yeshua said to her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
This segment does not mean that Yeshua condoned her sin, but quite the opposite. This is a very good example of what is known as the “spirit of the Law.” The men that were accusing her were just as guilty of sin as she was. Yeshua will not tolerate sin, but always gives someone a chance to repent and turn things around. That is what happened here.
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