Topical Bible: Conscience: The Accusers of the Woman Taken in Adultery

◄ Conscience: The Accusers of the Woman Taken in Adultery ►

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In the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 1-11, we encounter the account of the woman taken in adultery and her accusers. This narrative provides profound insights into the role of conscience in the human experience, particularly in the context of sin, judgment, and mercy.

Biblical Context

The scene unfolds as Jesus is teaching in the temple courts. The scribes and Pharisees bring before Him a woman caught in the act of adultery, seeking to test Him. They remind Jesus that the Law of Moses commands such a woman to be stoned. Their intention is to trap Jesus into either contradicting the Law or appearing merciless.

Conscience and Conviction

As the accusers press Jesus for a response, He stoops down and writes on the ground with His finger. When they persist, He stands and delivers a piercing challenge: "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). This statement directly appeals to the conscience of each accuser, prompting self-reflection on their own sinfulness.

The narrative reveals the power of conscience as each accuser, "beginning with the older ones," departs one by one (John 8:9). The older accusers, perhaps more aware of their own life's transgressions, are the first to be convicted by their conscience. This departure signifies an acknowledgment of their own sinfulness and unworthiness to execute judgment.

The Role of Jesus

Jesus' response to the accusers highlights His wisdom and understanding of human nature. By not directly confronting the legality of the situation, He instead turns the focus inward, prompting the accusers to examine their own hearts. This moment underscores the biblical principle that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Mercy and Forgiveness

After the accusers leave, Jesus addresses the woman, asking, "Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?" She replies, "No one, Lord." Jesus then declares, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (John 8:10-11). Here, Jesus exemplifies the balance of justice and mercy. While He does not condone her sin, He offers forgiveness and a call to repentance.

Implications for Believers

This account serves as a powerful reminder of the role of conscience in the life of a believer. It challenges individuals to examine their own hearts before passing judgment on others. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of mercy and forgiveness, reflecting the character of Christ.

In the broader biblical context, conscience is seen as an internal witness to God's moral law, guiding individuals in discerning right from wrong. The accusers' response to Jesus' challenge illustrates how conscience can lead to conviction and, ultimately, to a recognition of one's need for grace.

Conclusion

The account of the woman taken in adultery and her accusers is a profound illustration of the interplay between conscience, sin, and divine mercy. It calls believers to self-examination, humility, and a deeper understanding of the grace offered through Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

John 8:9
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the middle.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Woman Taken in Adultery.
... This searching purity, this stainless mirror, the woman felt it ... now that others are
silent, her own conscience speaks; now that her accusers are silenced ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xvii the woman taken in.htm

Christ Refuses to Interfere in Civil Disputes. (Luke, xii. , 13-15 ...
... and sinners, they brought to him a woman taken in adultery ... Rom., ii., 1). His own
conscience bears witness ... appealed to the consciences of the accusers, not only ...
/.../section 209 christ refuses to.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... compromises; alone - with sore heart, stricken conscience, and a ... we view this narrative -
the accusers, the witnesses ... That a woman taken in the act of adultery ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

Appendix i. Pericope De Adultera.
... The Woman's accusers having departed, our Saviour resumes His ... elenchomenoi) by their
own conscience,' as St ... reaches, the incident of the woman taken in adultery ...
/.../appendix i pericope de adultera.htm

The Adulterous Woman.
... As he wrote and left them to their own thoughts, conscience began to do
its work. ... (John 8:10). 10. Woman, where are thine accusers? ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the adulterous woman.htm

Its Basis
... 8.. There we read of a woman taken in the act ... She was unquestionably guilty, and
her accusers were determined ... being convicted by their own conscience, went out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/4 its basis.htm

The Gospel According to St. John
... 55), the fear {89} of our Lord's accusers to defile ... It is the story of the woman
taken in adultery ... Himself God, manifested in creation, in conscience, in the ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter vi the gospel according.htm

The Gospel of John
... Divine Word, for we read, "And they which heard Him, being convicted by their
conscience, went out ... To the woman He said, "Where are those thine accusers? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of john.htm

Letter ii.
... is that tribunal, one which needs no accusers and waits for ... that he pierced to death
the woman who committed ... may not lay hold of thy thought or thy conscience. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letter ii.htm

Epistle i. To Donatus.
... who has most completely broken down the man into the woman. ... he drives out the more
vigorous conscience of a ... The same people who are accusers in public are ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle i to donatus.htm