John 8:1-11
Go and Sin No More
Introduction: The Trap in the Temple Courts
Fresh off the heated debates of the Feast of Tabernacles, where Jesus declared Himself the source of Living Water, the tension in Jerusalem has reached a boiling point.
The crowds are making conclusions about who Jesus of Nazareth was.
As we saw last week-
The religious leaders were frustrated - by the crowd and even by their own temple guards who failed to arrest Him—And they were becoming desperate for a way to discredit and to silence Jesus.
A quick note on our passage today…
This section of scripture, from John 7:53 to 8:11, has been debated by scholars for generations- whether it should be included in scripture or not and if so, is it in the right place.
Remember, the early scribes of the church had to work to preserve the “autobiographies” - The original papyrus and ink productions penned by the Apostles.
Great care was taken in this effort to preserve the text with multiple oversights, checks and balances.
These copies then made their way out to the churches. Where they were copied and copied again as the church expanded.
Today, the various translations of the bible commonly available are essentially based on translation from one of two sources of these copied texts,
The Byzantine manuscripts – which represents about 90% of all surviving Greek New Testaments, and the Alexandrian manuscripts, which, while having far fewer surviving copies, are much older than the Byzantine text.
While the two texts are nearly identical, the debate arises because there are a small number of verses found in the Byzantine text that are not found in the Alexandrian text.
Now to be clear:
There is not one difference between these texts which alters or changes God’s revelation of His person, character, or will.
And nothing in either of these texts’ changes mankind’s condition before God as fallen, in need of a salvation or how a person may be saved.
And lastly, most scholars agree this event and exchange between Jesus, the religious leaders and this woman DID OCCUR – but may have been added later from oral tradition rather than from the John’s quill.
This is one of the reasons why I read, prepare and study from the NASB95 Bible.
So – with that explained – let’s move on!
Last week, the religious leaders finished the Festival of Booths frustrated and even marginalized as the temple guard and even Nicodemus, one of their own, seemed caught up in the teaching of Jesus.
As the week of festivities came to a close – the people began to disperse.
1) The Boldness to Preach (vv. 1-2)
8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them.
As ambassadors for Christ today, we live in a culture that increasingly mirrors that temple courtyard: hostile to absolute truth, eager to trap or cancel biblical positions, and weaponizing worldly legalism against the church.
In just a few years we have gone from lawsuits against Christian florists and bakers – to the daylight assignation of a public speaking evangelist. (Charlie Kirk)
But our example is not to hide from the danger – but to stand firm on the foundation of our calling.
Jesus knew the danger. He knew the Sanhedrin had guards out looking for Him. Yet His timetable was governed by divine purpose, not human fear.
We push forward on the current of truth that was begun in the church when the Holy Spirit of God first indwelled the people of faith.
As we read in Acts 4:29-31
Peter and John had been arrested for proclaiming Jesus as the Christ – after being threatened by the Jewish leaders they were released – and returned to their companions – telling them all that had happened-
And the people replied in prayer to the Lord – “Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
So declares the Word of God to YOU and I-
Matthew 10:28: "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
John 15:18–20: "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."
2 Timothy 1:7–8 "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God"
The Ministry of Reconciliation Requires Risk:
True Gospel witness has always required stepping out of comfort zones.
When we declare to a lost world that they are sinners in need of a Savior—and that Jesus is the only way—the world will cry foul, just as the Pharisees did.
But like Jesus, like the Apostles, like the church founders that brought us to this place, our response to threats must be a deeper commitment to speak the truth in love.
In the setting of Jesus’ teaching – the Pharisees spring a theological trap to ensnare Jesus.
2) The Weaponization of Religion (vv. 3–6)
3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,
4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.
I believe we have to assume this woman had been previously caught and imprisoned – pending her fate.
Otherwise, the timing of this transgression was a tremendous stroke of luck for the Pharisees.
The religious leaders produce the woman in the temple courtyard and deposit her in front of Jesus in front of the listening crowds – setting the scene for a showdown.
Mockery, false flattery, and disdain drip from their lips as they petition Jesus with the title, “Teacher”
They proclaim to Jesus the charge against the woman - this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.
Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women;
Already their treacherous hearts are made transparent -
The matter at hand was based on the Mosaic Law, as given in Leviticus 20:10 “If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”
Anyone see the glaring error on the part of the Pharisees?
Where is the man?
Their Hypocrisy on Display: The leaders claim to defend the Law of Moses, yet they violate its procedures, all while plotting murder against the Son of God in His own temple.
From the Pharisee’s point of view, this is a trap with no escape for Jesus.
Application: Religious legalism often uses biblical truth as a weapon to control, trap, or condemn others while completely ignoring personal sin and the compromises of those wielding it.
Religious legalism occurs when a person extends a biblical principle beyond its intent – to create rules, teaching and doctrines that are a burden not supported by the true reading of scripture.
It can also occur when a person’s righteousness is judged by others based on conformity to biblical principles rather than the truth of God’s word regarding redemption and the condition of the person’s heart.
One test is to ask ourselves if we are holding someone to a harsher judgment than we ourselves are willing to accept.
Another is to ask ourselves if we are measuring the righteousness of others while ignoring our own compromises?
In this way – we can seek to judge righteously as Jesus instructed us to do!
3) The Divine Response: (vv. 7-9)
7 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.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.
Rather than be drawn into the trap – Jesus exposes the hypocritical heart of the accusers.
That they “persisted” in asking Him demonstrates their desire to ensnare Him. His response silenced them.
“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
They had brought her forth under the Law of Moses – Jesus challenged them to respond – under the Law of Moses.
Under the Law – Deuteronomy 17:7 declared - The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Jesus was not inviting sinless people to execute judgement –
In Matthew 7:3-5 we read Jesus’ teaching on this same subject in another setting-
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
There are some misunderstandings about this teaching to be avoided
"Jesus is Banning All Moral Evaluation and Church Discipline"
“Jesus demonstrated tolerance of sin contradicted the Law of Moses”
Jesus writing in the dust- Much pondering and debate have gone into what was happening as Jesus stooped and wrote on the ground.
Perhaps, it was the Finger of God:
In Scripture, the only other time God is recorded as physically writing is on the tablets of stone at Mount Sinai—writing the moral law with His own finger
Perhaps Jesus knelt, the incarnate God writing in the dust, reminding His accusers that the Law they are weaponizing was authored by the One kneeling before them.
The Jeremiah 17:13 Connection:
Jesus had just recently been sharing that He was the source of Living water.
Surely the Scribes and Pharisees were familiar with the Prophet Jeremiah, who wrote-
"O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written in the dust, because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord." Jeremiah 17:13
Perhaps He was listing their sins:
A strong ancient church tradition suggests Jesus may have been writing the secret sins of the accusers in the dust.
In the end – WE DO NOT KNOW – But what we do know is the effect Jesus’ words had on the men.
One by one, the rocks dropped - and they walked away - leaving Jesus alone with the woman.
Application:
Paul wrote to the church in Rome-
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20
Jesus came and fulfilled the “Ceremonial Law” as it pertained to rituals and sacrifices – He Himself being the final and perfect, atoning, sacrifice that takes away the condemnation of sin to all those who put their trust in Him by faith
But the “Moral Laws”- those universal principles reflecting God’s character, remain unchanged. We find these encompassed within commandments affirmed by Jesus such as –
Therefore, the Law is a lens - to be applied first to ourselves rather than to judge others.
Christ's composed response—should cause me, you, and every listener—to see His moral perfection and realize our absolute dependence on His mercy.
4) The Ministry of Mercy (vv. 9–11a)
10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either.”
Jesus, the only One in that courtyard who was truly without sin and had the absolute right to hurl a stone of eternal judgment - chooses instead to forgive – and to absorb her penalty.
See that the woman was guilty.
See that the woman deserved death of the flesh under the Law of Moses– and death of the spirit under the divine judgement of God.
But instead that day instead of Judgement – she received Mercy.
Instead of Wrath – she received Grace.
Dragged forward in shame – She received love.
Jesus knew the men who had dragged her forward and the evil intent of their hearts.
He also knew the heart of this woman – and that not long from then – He would lay down His life as payment for her sin.
John 3:16-17
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Justification by Grace through Faith: This is the heart of the Gospel.
Romans 8:1 declares, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Jesus did not minimize her sin; rather, He took her condemnation upon Himself so she could stand pardoned.
Application: No matter how deep your past, how public your failure, or how heavy your guilt, you cannot out-sin the mercy of Christ.
If you come to Him by faith – believing in your heart who He is - and what He has done for you –
He will not sweep your sin under the rug-
He will meet you in the depths of your wickedness-
In the center of your shame-
And offer you unmerited pardon.
Psalms 130:1-5
1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. 3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,
To the woman Jesus declared-
5) The Mandate of Holiness: (v. 11b)
Friends, “Forgiven and Free” does not mean free to go on living in sin as you did before!
Again, Jesus did not condone or merely acknowledge the woman’s morale failure and sin before God –
He acted in His role as the Divine Judge to whom all authority in heaven and on earth would be bestowed –
And exercised grace based on the sacrifice for sin that He would soon administer.
BUT HE DID NOT LEAVE HER THERE!
(v. 11): "Go...From now on… sin no more."
Friends that is the standard for the life of those who have been saved by God’s Mercy and to whom He has extended His grace unto eternal life.
Go – and sin no more.
Grace is Not a License to Sin: Jesus grants radical, life-saving mercy, but He immediately pairs it with an uncompromising moral command.
He does not say, "Your sin is forgiven. Your lifestyle is fine; just follow your heart. And do your best to do better"
He looks dead into the reality of our sin and demands a complete life reorientation.
GO… and sin no more.
In Fact, Repentance - Turning away from a desire for the sins of our past is directly related to our sins being forgiven!
As we read in Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
And if you believe in Christ Jesus by faith and put your trust in God’s mercy for salvation – Then know that true regeneration by the Holy Spirit always produces fruit.
As Ezekiel 36:26–27 promised - We by faith have received a new heart that results in walking in God's statutes.
And have been spiritually Born Again- Breaking the reigning power of sin in us so the believer can live a life of holiness.
Scripture warns-
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
But scripture also promises-
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it” 1 Corinthians 10:13
And Scripture encourages us-
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
God’s grace, Mercy, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit never leaves a person where it found them.
Therefore, if your faith is true - You cannot embrace the forgiveness of Christ while comfortably clutching the sins that nailed Him to the cross.
My prayer is we all leave this place-
Let us Pray
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.