Adulterous woman

[Mercyvessel]

John 8:1-11 tells us how Jews wanted to stone an adulterous woman but Jesus told them not to, and therefore they didn't.

But why would Jews ask Jesus whether they should obey the Torah or not?! And then listen to him?

Compliance with Mosaic Law was not a joke. It was rigorously enforced; after all, that was what public stoning was for.

It's like if today law enforcement officers strap a convict to the electric chair in Kentucky to execute him, but someone, who has nothing to do with the judiciary system, says "Don't do it" and they don't do it.

Clearly the scribes and Pharisees of that day were envious of the Lord Jesus because of His teachings and because the "world has gone after Him" (John 12:19). They were losing their grip on the people so they often "tested" Him, "that they might have something of which to accuse Him."

Despite that, the Lord Jesus gracefully teaches a new fundamental principle, which is that we should not judge others because we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). He expressly states it in Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged."  If one is looking for sin, one need only look in the mirror. 

When the Lord Jesus finally answered them, He said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

Notice the word says those who were about to literally execute the woman became "convicted by their conscience" and left one by one.

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Within the context of not judging I cannot help but recall the most recent account of the "Moses Lake boaters who allegedly harassed another group over gay pride flags. Then their boat burst into flames." - then they were rescued by their victims.  Judge not... God is the Judge of all.