The Record of Our Lord’s Forgiveness of the Woman Caught in Adultery
John 8:1-11

LESSON 37

background notes

doctrinal / teaching points
1. God knows how to bring conviction to self-righteous people.

2. God does not condone sin, but He forgives sin.

 

practical applications
1.  Let’s not hide behind bigger sinners.

2.  Let’s be characterized by a forgiving spirit.

 

questions
1. Why is this section of scripture somewhat controversial?

2. What did the Lord write on the ground?

3. How did the Lord bring conviction to the Pharisees in this passage?

4. How did the Pharisees try to trap the Lord here?

5. Does God condone sin?

answers
1. Not because of the Lord’s forgiveness of the woman, but because it is not included in some of the earliest manuscripts of the gospel of John.

2. We don’t know.

3. In a couple of ways. According to the law (Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22), there was to be no double standard, yet the man was let go. The Lord said to them, “He who is without sin” John 8:7, and they must have realized their own sin in this instance, because none accused her.

4. If He had said to stone her, according to the law, He would have lost His reputation for being compassionate, and they would have brought Him before the Roman authorities, saying that He was trying to take power into His own hands. But if He had said not to stone her, they would have accused Him of not upholding the Mosaic law.

5. No, but He forgives sin. See John 8.11.

 

discuss / consider
1.  Do you condone or excuse sin, either in yourself or someone else?

2.  Have you ever felt convicted of sin, after trying to justify it?

 

challenge
Are you characterized by a forgiving spirit?

memorize

“Jesus said, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’”  John 8:7

“Those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one.”  John 8:9

“Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’”  John 8:11