Some teachers of the law and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus. She was caught sleeping with a man who was not her husband. They force her to stand in front of everyone.
They said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The Law of Moses commands us to stone to death any such woman. What do you say we should do?”
They asked this to trick Jesus and find something wrong with him.
Jesus did not answer at first. He bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. They kept asking him.
Then Jesus stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone.”
Then he bent down again and wrote on the ground.
When the people heard this, they slowly left, one by one. First the older men left, then the others. Soon, only Jesus and the woman were there.
Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where are they? Did no one judge you?”
She said, “No one, sir.”
Jesus said, “I do not judge you either. You can go now. But do not sin again.”
*Explain the highlighted words.
Discussion Questions.
- Why did the people leave and not throw stones at the woman?
- Have you ever made a mistake at school or in a new country and felt afraid of being judged by others?
- What does this story teach you about how Jesus treats people who make mistakes?