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class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/8.htm">New International Version</a> When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, &#8220Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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.” <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When 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.” <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But as they continued asking Him, having lifted Himself up, also He said to them, "The one sinless among you, let him cast the first stone at her." <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> 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.” <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, &#8220He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, &#8220The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> But 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. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They kept on asking Jesus about the woman. Finally, he stood up and said, "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!" <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> But 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. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When they persisted in asking him questions, he straightened up and said, "The person who is sinless should be the first to throw a stone at her." <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, "Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her." <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> When they persisted in questioning him, he straightened up and told them, "Let the person among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When 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.? <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, "Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her." <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her." <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> So when they continued asking him, he raised himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> When however they persisted with their question, He raised His head and said to them, "Let the sinless man among you be the first to throw a stone at her." <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and when they continued asking Him, having bent Himself back, He said to them, “The sinless of you—let him cast the first stone at her”; <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But as they continued asking Him, having lifted Himself up, also He said to them, "The one sinless among you, let him cast the first stone at her." <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and when they continued asking him, having bent himself back, he said unto them, 'The sinless of you -- let him first cast the stone at her;' <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And when they continued asking him, having lifted up the head, he said to them, Let him faultless among you, first cast a stone at her.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And then, when they persevered in questioning him, he stood upright and said to them, “Let whoever is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When they were through questioning him, he straightened himself up and said to them, He who is among you without sin, let him first throw a stone at her. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But as they persisted asking him, he stood up and he said to them, “He among you who is without sin, let him first cast a stone upon her.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But as they continued to ask him, he stood up, and said to them: Let him among you who is without sin, first throw a stone at her. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now when they continued questioning him, raising himself up, he said to them, Let the person who is sinless among you, first cast a stone at her. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and as they pressed him to answer, he rais'd himself, and said to them, he that is without sin among you, let him be the first that throws a stone at her. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> When however they persisted with their question, He raised His head and said to them, "Let the sinless man among you be the first to throw a stone at her." <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, as they continued asking Him, He, having raised Himself up, said to them, <FR>"Let the sinless one among you first cast a stone at her."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And as they continued asking Him, He raised himself up and said unto them, <FR>"Let him that is without sin among you, first cast a stone at her."<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2729" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">The Woman Caught in Adultery</a> …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. 7<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: Hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">When</a> <a href="/greek/1961.htm" title="1961: epemenon (V-IIA-3P) -- (a) I remain, tarry, (b) I remain in, persist in. From epi and meno; to stay over, i.e. Remain.">they continued</a> <a href="/greek/2065.htm" title="2065: erōtōntes (V-PPA-NMP) -- Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.">to question</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him,</a> <a href="/greek/352.htm" title="352: anekypsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To raise myself, look up, be elated. From ana and kupto; to unbend, i.e. Rise; figuratively, be elated.">He straightened up</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">said</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">“Let him who is</a> <a href="/greek/361.htm" title="361: anamartētos (Adj-NMS) -- Without blame, faultless, unerring. Sinless.">without sin</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">among you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">be the</a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōtos (Adj-NMS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">first</a> <a href="/greek/906.htm" title="906: baletō (V-AMA-3S) -- (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.">to cast</a> <a href="/greek/3037.htm" title="3037: lithon (N-AMS) -- A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.">a stone</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: ep’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">at</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autē (PPro-DF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">her.” </a> 8And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1-5</a> “Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. / Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? ... <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1-3</a> You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. / And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. / So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? <a href="/james/4-11.htm">James 4:11-12</a> Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. / There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? <a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a> Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. <a href="/matthew/5-7.htm">Matthew 5:7</a> Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a> Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. <a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a> Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. <a href="/romans/14-10.htm">Romans 14:10-13</a> Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. / It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” / So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ... <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a> For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. <a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8-10</a> If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6-7</a> On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness. / The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you. <a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a> You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. <a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Proverbs 11:13</a> A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a> He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a> Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.and said.<a href="/john/7-46.htm">John 7:46</a> The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.<a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a> There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.<a href="/proverbs/26-4.htm">Proverbs 26:4,5</a> Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him… He that.<a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6</a> At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.<a href="/psalms/50-16.htm">Psalm 50:16-20</a> But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? … <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1-5</a> Judge not, that ye be not judged… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-6.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/john/6-37.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/john/2-12.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/john/7-51.htm">First</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Head</a> <a href="/john/8-2.htm">However</a> <a href="/john/7-9.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/john/6-5.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-40.htm">Persisted</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/4-33.htm">Questioning</a> <a href="/luke/23-9.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/john/6-18.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/john/5-14.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/john/8-5.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/john/7-37.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/luke/13-13.htm">Straightened</a> <a href="/john/6-37.htm">Throw</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/8-8.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/john/8-59.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/john/8-23.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">First</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Head</a> <a href="/john/8-26.htm">However</a> <a href="/john/9-9.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/john/8-10.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/acts/16-18.htm">Persisted</a> <a href="/john/9-2.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/9-15.htm">Questioning</a> <a href="/john/9-15.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/john/8-10.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/john/8-11.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/john/8-59.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/john/11-56.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/john/8-10.htm">Straightened</a> <a href="/john/8-59.htm">Throw</a><div class="vheading2">John 8</div>1. <a href="/john/8-1.htm">Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.</a> 12. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;</a> 31. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">promises freedom to those who believe;</a> 33. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;</a> 48. <a href="/john/8-48.htm">answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;</a> 59. <a href="/john/8-59.htm">and slips away from those who would stone him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When they continued to question Him The religious leaders were persistent in their questioning, attempting to trap Jesus into making a statement that could be used against Him. This reflects the ongoing tension between Jesus and the Pharisees, who were often depicted as legalistic and self-righteous. Their persistence highlights their determination to uphold the Mosaic Law, which prescribed stoning for adultery (<a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a>, <a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22-24</a>), and to challenge Jesus' authority and teachings.He straightened up and said to them Jesus' physical action of straightening up signifies a moment of authority and readiness to address the accusers. This gesture can be seen as a transition from contemplation to confrontation. It underscores His calm and composed demeanor in the face of hostility, contrasting with the agitation of the accusers. This moment also emphasizes Jesus' role as a teacher who speaks with divine authority.Let him who is without sin among you This statement challenges the accusers to self-reflect on their own sinfulness. It echoes the biblical principle that all have sinned (<a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>) and underscores the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were quick to judge others while ignoring their own faults. This phrase calls for introspection and humility, reminding the audience of the need for grace and mercy.be the first to cast a stone at her The act of casting a stone was a literal execution method prescribed by the Law for certain sins. Jesus' challenge turns the situation on its head, emphasizing the moral and spiritual qualifications required to judge others. This phrase connects to the broader biblical theme of justice tempered with mercy (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>) and foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on forgiveness and redemption through Christ. It also highlights Jesus as the ultimate judge, who alone is without sin and has the authority to condemn or forgive.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> - The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts when confronted by the scribes and Pharisees. His response to their challenge reveals His wisdom and authority. 2. <a href="/topical/s/scribes_and_pharisees.htm">Scribes and Pharisees</a> - Religious leaders who bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, attempting to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_woman_caught_in_adultery.htm">The Woman Caught in Adultery</a> - A woman accused of adultery, brought before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees to test His adherence to Mosaic Law. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple_courts.htm">The Temple Courts</a> - The setting of this event, a public place where Jesus often taught and where religious discussions and disputes were common. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> - Bystanders who witness the interaction between Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees, and the woman, serving as an audience to Jesus' teaching.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_sin.htm">The Universality of Sin</a> Jesus' statement highlights that all humans are sinners and need to approach others with humility and grace. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_hypocrisy.htm">The Danger of Hypocrisy</a> The scribes and Pharisees' attempt to trap Jesus reveals their hypocrisy. Believers are called to self-examination before judging others. <a href="/topical/g/grace_and_mercy_over_judgment.htm">Grace and Mercy Over Judgment</a> Jesus' response emphasizes mercy over strict adherence to the law, encouraging believers to prioritize compassion. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_conscience.htm">The Role of Conscience</a> Jesus' challenge prompts self-reflection among the accusers, illustrating the power of conscience in guiding moral decisions. <a href="/topical/t/the_transformative_power_of_jesus'_words.htm">The Transformative Power of Jesus' Words</a> Jesus' words lead to a change in the accusers' actions, demonstrating the transformative impact of His teachings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 8</a> <a href="/q/who_is_sinless_to_cast_the_first_stone.htm">Who among you is sinless to cast the first stone?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'sin_no_more'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "Go and sin no more"?</a> <a href="/q/have_you_remembered_the_lord_today.htm">What did Jesus inscribe in the sand?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_proverbs_7_and_john_8_1-11_compare.htm">How does Proverbs 7’s cautionary message align or conflict with the theme of grace and redemption found in John 8:1–11? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) So when they continued asking him.--He would have avoided their question, and continued, as is here implied, for some time in the action of writing; but they will now interrupt that action. It seems to them that He cannot avoid the snare in which they have placed Him, and that He is seeking the only escape in silence. But there is an answer of which they think not, and this He stands up to give.He that is without sin among you.--The word rendered "without sin" is frequent in the classical writers, but is found in this place only in the New Testament. It takes here a special meaning from the context, and is to be understood of the class of sins of which her sin was an instance. (Comp. the word "sinner" as used in <a href="/luke/7-37.htm" title="And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,">Luke 7:37</a>.) Of the immorality among the Jewish rulers, which gives force to these words, evidence is not wanting. Still the wider meaning is probably not excluded. They who ask this question about the Seventh Commandment were themselves breaking the Sixth and the Ninth. It is to be noted, in the application of this answer, that our Lord does not lay down sinlessness as the necessary condition of fitness for taking part in the punishment of guilt. This would be to nullify law, for there could be then no human executive power. He is not speaking in a case brought before the appointed tribunal, but in a case where men assume to themselves the position of judges of another's guilt. In the judge, while he wears the robe of justice, the individual man ceases to exist, and he becomes the representative of God; but these can now speak only as men, and condemn her only by the contrast of a higher purity. (Comp. Notes on <a href="/john/10-34.htm" title="Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?">John 10:34</a> et seq.)Let him first cast a stone at her.--The Received text and some MSS. (not including the Cambridge MS.) read "the stone," the stone referred to in <a href="/john/8-5.htm" title="Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you?">John 8:5</a>. "Let him first" means "let him first of you"; not "let him cast the first stone." This was the duty of the witnesses. (See marginal reference.) We must not take the words to express permission only; it is an imperative, expressing command.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 7, 8. - But when they continued asking him; he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and with his finger was writing on the ground. The imperfect tense of ἔγραφεν, twice repeated, seems more in harmony with the symbolic meaning of the act than with the record on his part of any special sentence of his supreme wisdom. Christ refused to act the part of the civil magistrate, or to countenance stormy outbreak of murderous passion against this flagrant sinner, to save himself from their bitter malice. He rose, when the appearance of indifference could not be maintained, and at once arrested the outbreak of their unscrupulous fury without presuming to repudiate the letter of the Law. He lifted the discussion from the judicial to the moral sphere. He does not mean that none but the sinless can condemn, or pronounce verdict upon the guilty; but he calls for special freedom from similar offence on the part of any man who should wish or dare to display his own purity by taking part in the execution. The narrative would not suggest that every one of these accusers had been in his time guilty of like offence, but ἀναμάρτητος must at least mean that he was free from the desires which might lead to the commission of such sin, and Christ calls for inward saintliness and freedom from all irregular propension. He calls for personal chastity as the only possible moral condition for precipitately executing this ancient and severe law. The question before the crowd (asked so craftily) was, not whether Moses' Law was to stand or not, but whether these particular men, with their foul hearts and spurious zeal, were or were not at that particular moment to encounter the displeasure of Roman power by dashing the stones at the head of this poor trembling creature of sin and shame; whether they were morally competent to condemn to immediate death, and carry the verdict into execution. Before this tremendous summons from the Holy One, conscience could sleep no longer. The hypocrisy of the entire manoeuvre stared them in the face. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When Ὡς (Hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. they continued ἐπέμενον (epemenon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> (a) I remain, tarry, (b) I remain in, persist in. From epi and meno; to stay over, i.e. Remain. to question ἐρωτῶντες (erōtōntes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2065.htm">Strong's 2065: </a> Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request. Him, αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. He straightened up ἀνέκυψεν (anekypsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_352.htm">Strong's 352: </a> To raise myself, look up, be elated. From ana and kupto; to unbend, i.e. Rise; figuratively, be elated. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. said εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “[Let] him who is Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. without sin ἀναμάρτητος (anamartētos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_361.htm">Strong's 361: </a> Without blame, faultless, unerring. Sinless. among you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. [be] the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. first πρῶτος (prōtos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. to cast βαλέτω (baletō) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_906.htm">Strong's 906: </a> (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw. a stone λίθον (lithon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3037.htm">Strong's 3037: </a> A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone. at ἐπ’ (ep’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. her.” αὐτῇ (autē) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-7.htm">John 8:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-7.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:7 But when they continued asking him he (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>