John 753 811Edit
John 7:53–8:11, commonly known as the Pericope Adulterae, is a short narrative that sits within the Gospel of John in some manuscript traditions. It recounts a scene in which a woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus by a group of scribes and Pharisees who seek to trap him with a test of Mosaic law. Jesus responds, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," prompting the accusers to withdraw one by one, and ending with a quiet admonition to the woman: "Go, and sin no more." Readers have long debated its place in the gospel and its meaning for ethics, judgment, and mercy. The passage is frequently cited in discussions of forgiveness, hypocrisy, and the limits of public moral policing. Gospel of John adultery Jesus hypocrisy mercy.
While the story is familiar in many Christian communities, its textual history is more complicated. Many early Greek manuscripts of the Gospel of John do not include this episode, and where it does appear, its placement within John varies. In the most widely used critical editions of the New Testament, the Pericope Adulterae is treated as a later addition or as a textual insertion that does not belong to the original wording of John. As a result, modern translations and study Bibles often present the passage with brackets, footnotes, or separate placement rather than placing it in the continuous text of John. The scholarly consensus rests on textual criticism, a discipline that seeks to determine the most likely original wording of biblical texts by weighing the evidence from ancient manuscripts, translations, and patristic citations. Textual criticism manuscripts Gospel of John.
The episode’s textual ambiguity does not erase its significant impact on Christian thought and practice. In the long sweep of church history, the story has influenced sermons, catechesis, and moral reflection on sin, forgiveness, and the dangers of judgmental zeal. It is often cited as a corrective to hypocrisy: those who scrutinize the sins of others may themselves be exposed as fallible; mercy is not a license to approve wrongdoing, but a recognition of human frailty and the possibility of transformation. This tension between upholding moral standards and extending compassionate forgiveness has shaped how communities approach discipline, repentance, and reconciliation. church history sermons catechesis.
Background and textual history
The Pericope Adulterae appears in some later copies of the Gospel of John, especially in the Latin, Syriac, and certain Greek manuscript traditions. It does not appear consistently in the earliest Greek witnesses. This pattern has led scholars to treat the passage as a narrative that was added or localized in certain manuscript communities rather than part of John’s original autograph. Mosaic law stones, pericope.
Textual critics assess the passage through the lens of internal evidence (style, vocabulary, theological emphasis) and external evidence (which manuscripts preserve or omit the text). Modern critical editions such as the Nestle-Aland and the United Bible Societies apparatus typically mark the passage as a later addition and provide notes on its textual status. In some editions, the passage appears in the main text in certain traditions and is placed in brackets or footnotes in others. Textual criticism.
The standard placement in most medieval and some later traditions has varied: in some manuscripts, the story follows John 7:36; in others, it appears after 7:52 or at a different junction within the chapter. This variability underscores that it was not part of the core προσ the original Gospel of John but that it circulated with the gospel in certain communities. manuscripts.
Early Christian reception varied as well. While the exact wording was not universally accepted as canonical in all communities, the moral and spiritual messages—against hypocrisy, the call to mercy, and the possibility of renewal—found a broad audience and a lasting influence in patristics and later Christian thought. Augustine patristics.
Theological themes
Mercy and moral accountability: Jesus’ response reframes the drama from a purely punitive display to a call for personal introspection. The famous line about the one who is without sin casting the first stone emphasizes humility and self-examination over public shaming. This has informed generations of Christian teaching on forgiveness without excurring responsibility for wrongdoing. mercy forgiveness.
Opposition to legalism and hypocrisy: The scene highlights the danger of using religious law as a tool for social control or status competition. By inviting self-reflection among the accusers, the passage advocates a form of justice that favors restorative outcomes over harsh public spectacle. hypocrisy.
The role of Jesus as a teacher of justice and compassion: The episode has been used to illustrate a balanced approach to sin that holds persons accountable while offering grace. This balance—upholding moral standards while extending mercy—has been a touchstone in discussions of Christian ethics. Jesus.
Canonical considerations: Because the passage’s canonical status varies by tradition, its theological weight has often been weighed against other scriptural attestations of mercy, judgment, and the law. For readers and communities that treat the entire gospel as a unified witness, the passage is valued for its moral message even when its textual provenance is debated. Biblical canon.
Textual criticism and canonical considerations
What is a pericope? A pericope is a self-contained narrative unit within scripture. The Pericope Adulterae is a classic case study in how editors and translators handle passages with contested origins. pericope.
Textual witnesses and verdicts: The earliest complete Greek manuscripts with John often omit the story, while later manuscripts and translations preserve it. The scholarly default is to view the passage as a non-original insertion, though it remains popular in areas of the church that value its moral teaching. manuscripts.
Translation and edition decisions: Modern Bible translations reflect the manuscript evidence. Some place it in the canonical order with explicit caveats, while others present it as a note or bracketed insert. This reflects a commitment to both fidelity to ancient sources and care for readers’ understanding of textual history. Textual criticism.
Implications for doctrine and practice: Because the story intersects with issues of sin, repentance, and communal judgment, its presence (or absence) in a given text can influence how communities frame mercy and accountability. Advocates of traditional moral formation often point to the passage as a template for balancing truth-telling with compassion. Christian ethics.
Cultural and historical impact
In preaching and art, the episode has served as a powerful symbol of forgiveness tempered by accountability. It has informed discussions about how communities treat people who have committed serious transgressions and how they pursue restoration rather than mere punishment. sermons art.
The debate over its originality did not erase its cultural footprint. In many Christian traditions, the story continues to be invoked as a paradigm for asking tough questions about social judgment, the nature of sin, and the path to reform. early Christianity.
The episode also underlines how the biblical text has traveled across cultures and languages, adapting to different editorial practices while retaining its core moral message. Latin Vulgate Syriac Armenian translations.
See also