Neither Do I Condemn Thee

The Story

Early one morning, Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, with a crowd gathered around Him. Suddenly the religious leaders pushed their way through, dragging a woman with them. They made her stand in front of everyone.

“Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act,” they said. “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”

It was a trap. If Jesus said let her go, they could accuse Him of ignoring God’s law. If He said stone her, they could accuse Him of having no mercy, and of defying Roman law.

Jesus didn’t answer right away. He stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.

They kept pressing Him. So He stood up and said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Then He bent down and wrote on the ground again.

One by one, starting with the oldest, they walked away, until only Jesus and the woman were left.

Jesus stood up. “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?”

“No man, Lord.”

“Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Reflection