John 8:5
New International Version
In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say?”

New Living Translation
The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

English Standard Version
Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

Berean Standard Bible
In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

Berean Literal Bible
Now in the Law Moses commanded us such to be stoned. You therefore, what do You say?"

King James Bible
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

New King James Version
Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”

New American Standard Bible
Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”

NASB 1995
“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”

NASB 1977
“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”

Amplified Bible
Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?”

Christian Standard Bible
In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?”

American Standard Version
Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her?

Contemporary English Version
The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?"

English Revised Version
Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In his teachings, Moses ordered us to stone women like this to death. What do you say?"

Good News Translation
In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?"

International Standard Version
Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women to death. What do you say?"

Majority Standard Bible
In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

NET Bible
In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?"

New Heart English Bible
Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such. So what do you say?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou?

Weymouth New Testament
Now, in the Law, Moses has ordered us to stone such women to death. But what do you say?"

World English Bible
Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do you say about her?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and in the Law, Moses commanded us that such be stoned; You, therefore, what do You say?”

Berean Literal Bible
Now in the Law Moses commanded us such to be stoned. You therefore, what do You say?"

Young's Literal Translation
and in the law, Moses did command us that such be stoned; thou, therefore, what dost thou say?'

Smith's Literal Translation
In the law Moses commanded us such to be stoned: therefore what sayest thou?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a one. Therefore, what do you say?”

New American Bible
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

New Revised Standard Version
Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now in the law of Moses it is commanded that women such as these should be stoned; but what do you say?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But in The Written Law of Moses, he commanded that we shall stone such as these.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now Moses, in his law, commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what say you?

Godbey New Testament


Haweis New Testament
Now Moses in the law commanded, that such women should be stoned: therefore what sayest thou?

Mace New Testament
now Moses has ordain'd in the law, that such criminals should be stoned: but what is your opinion?

Weymouth New Testament
Now, in the Law, Moses has ordered us to stone such women to death. But what do you say?"

Worrell New Testament
Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such; what, therefore, dost Thou say?"

Worsley New Testament
Now Moses in the law has commanded us that such women should be stoned, but what sayest Thou?"

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Woman Caught in Adultery
4and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” 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.…

Cross References
Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:22
If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

Deuteronomy 22:23-24
If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, / you must take both of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

Matthew 19:7-8
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” / Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning.

Mark 10:3-5
“What did Moses command you?” He replied. / They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” / But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart.

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Galatians 3:10
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Hebrews 10:28
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

James 2:10-11
Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.

Numbers 5:11-31
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him / by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), ...


Treasury of Scripture

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you?

Moses.

Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:21-24
Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you…

Ezekiel 16:38-40
And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy…

but.

Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 19:6-8
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder…

Matthew 22:16-18
And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men…

Jump to Previous
Command Commanded Death Directions Law Moses Ordered Stone Stoned Women
Jump to Next
Command Commanded Death Directions Law Moses Ordered Stone Stoned Women
John 8
1. Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.
12. He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;
31. promises freedom to those who believe;
33. answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;
48. answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;
59. and slips away from those who would stone him.














In the Law
This phrase refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which are foundational to Jewish religious life and law. The Greek word for "law" here is "νόμος" (nomos), which signifies not just legal codes but a way of life prescribed by God. The Law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai and is central to Jewish identity and practice. It is important to understand that the Law was seen as a divine mandate, not merely human legislation. This context underscores the gravity of the situation presented to Jesus, as the Pharisees are appealing to the highest religious authority recognized by the Jews.

Moses commanded us
Moses is a central figure in Jewish history, revered as the lawgiver and leader who brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The use of "commanded" (Greek: "ἐνετείλατο," eneteilato) indicates a direct order, emphasizing the binding nature of the Law. The Pharisees are invoking Moses' authority to challenge Jesus, attempting to trap Him between upholding the Law and His message of grace and forgiveness. This highlights the tension between the old covenant, represented by Moses, and the new covenant that Jesus is introducing.

to stone
Stoning was a prescribed method of capital punishment in ancient Israel, particularly for severe transgressions such as adultery. The Greek word "λιθάζειν" (lithazein) means to throw stones, a communal act meant to purge evil from among the people (Deuteronomy 22:22-24). This method of execution was not only about punishment but also about maintaining communal purity and obedience to God's commands. The mention of stoning here is intended to test Jesus' adherence to the Law and His stance on sin and justice.

such a woman
The phrase "such a woman" refers to a woman caught in adultery, as described earlier in the passage. The Greek word "τοιαύτην" (toiautēn) implies a specific kind of person, in this case, one who has violated the moral and legal codes of the community. This phrase reflects the societal view of women involved in such acts, often highlighting their vulnerability and the harsh judgment they faced. The focus on the woman, rather than the man involved, also points to the gender biases present in the application of the Law.

So what do You say?
This question is a direct challenge to Jesus, intended to trap Him. The Greek "σὺ οὖν τί λέγεις" (sy oun ti legeis) translates to "You, therefore, what do you say?" It is a moment of confrontation, where the Pharisees are testing whether Jesus will uphold the Law of Moses or contradict it. This question is pivotal, as it seeks to undermine Jesus' authority and mission. However, it also sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the deeper principles of mercy, justice, and forgiveness that transcend the letter of the Law. This moment invites reflection on how Jesus fulfills the Law through love and grace, offering a new way of understanding righteousness.

(5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned.--If we interpret the words strictly, the case they contemplate is not that referred to in Leviticus 20:10, and quoted here in the margin, but that of Deuteronomy 22:23-24, which was the only case for which stoning was specified as a punishment. It would be a case of rare occurrence, and perhaps for this very reason, one on which the opinions of later Rabbis were divided. Strangulation was regarded as the punishment intended when no other was specified; and in the Talmudic distinction in cases of this kind, stoning and strangulation are named as the respective punishments:--"Filia Israelitae, si adultera cum nupta, strangulanda; cum desponsata tantum, lapidanda. Filia Sacerdotis. si adultera cum nupta, lapidanda; cum desponsata tantum, comburenda (Sanhedrin, fol. 51, 2).

But what sayest thou?--The question is, like that about the tribute money (Matthew 22:17), a snare in which they hope to take Him whatever answer He gives. If He answers that she should be stoned, this would excite the opposition of the multitude, for a lax state of morality had practically made the laws against unchastity a dead letter. The immorality of Rome had spread through the provinces of the empire, and although the Jews were less infected by it than others, the court of the Herods had introduced its worst forms, and Christ Himself speaks of them as "an evil and adulterous generation" (Matthew 12:39. Comp. James 4:4). To have pronounced for a severe law against common forms of sin would have been to undermine popular support, and it is this only that the rulers had to fear. To have pronounced for capital punishment would moreover have brought Him into collision with the Roman government, which reserved to itself the power of life and death. (Comp. John 18:31; John 19:7.) Had He uttered a word in derogation of the majesty of the Roman empire, the charge of treason--in which case to be accused was practically to be condemned--would at once have been brought against Him. (Comp. Notes on John 19:12; John 19:15.) It is clearly the more severe view that the form of the question is intended to draw forth. "Moses said, in express words, . . .; what dost Thou say? You surely will not differ from Moses?" But if He had taken the laxer view, then this, like the Sabbath question, would have been a charge of breaking the Law. He would have been brought before the Sanhedrin as a false Messiah, for the true Messiah was to establish the Law. . . .

Verse 5. - Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned (or, to stone such); but what sayest thou? The Law (Deuteronomy 22:23, etc.) prescribed stoning for both parties when the woman is the betrothed bride of another man, and if she make no sufficient attempt to foil the purpose of her seducer. For ordinary adultery the death penalty is left indefinite (Leviticus 20:10). It is no proof that strangulation was the method of punishment in the days of our Lord because the Talmud and Maimonides thus express it. Meyer concludes that the woman was a betrothed bride. This offence is, broadly speaking. "adultery" of an aggravated kind. The reference to the method of the punishment is not demonstrable proof of this, because it would be easily feasible to transfer the method of the death from the extreme case to the ordinary ease of nuptial infidelity (cf. Exodus 31:14 for the punishment of unspecified death for sabbath violation (repeated Exodus 35:2), interpreted of "stoning" in the special illustrative case, Numbers 15:32-36). This is Moses' Law - "what sayest thou?" This query involves an ascription to Jesus of the right of authoritatively interpreting the Law. thus attributing to him the functions of a new legislator. Some have objected to the bare possibility of such an appeal being made to Jesus by any species of Jewish authority. The whole context shows that the process was malicious, ironical, crafty. The entire audience knew that this law had never been accepted or applied literally; that the Sanhedrin had not enforced it; and that, if they had endeavoured to do so, the Roman power had taken from the nation the jus gladii. The question, therefore, became one of casuistry inflamed by a concrete case, and having as its ally a secret sympathy with the offenders. It was not uncommon for the rabbis to discuss the incidence of obsolete laws. Many of the glosses upon the ancient law, and laborious trifling with specific regulations of the so called oral law, turn upon customs that were absolutely impracticable under the new conditions of the Jewish life. This, however, was no mere quibble of words about possible duties. The query was put with dramatic force and in concrete form. The shame and life of a fellow creature were the materials which this eager and bloodthirsty group were utilizing for their vile purpose.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law
νόμῳ (nomō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

Moses
Μωϋσῆς (Mōusēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3475: Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.

commanded
ἐνετείλατο (eneteilato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1781: To give orders (injunctions, instructions, commands). From en and the base of telos; to enjoin.

us
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

to stone
λιθάζειν (lithazein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3034: To stone, pelt with stones. From lithos; to lapidate.

such [a woman].
τοιαύτας (toiautas)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5108: (including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).

So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do You say?”
λέγεις (legeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.


Links
John 8:5 NIV
John 8:5 NLT
John 8:5 ESV
John 8:5 NASB
John 8:5 KJV

John 8:5 BibleApps.com
John 8:5 Biblia Paralela
John 8:5 Chinese Bible
John 8:5 French Bible
John 8:5 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: John 8:5 Now in our law Moses commanded us (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 8:4
Top of Page
Top of Page