Short Answer
The woman caught in adultery was treated unjustly—both she and the man were guilty, but only she was brought forward. Jesus used the situation to expose hypocrisy and redirect attention to everyone’s own sin.
The Overview
In the story often associated with John 8, a woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus, but the man involved is noticeably absent. According to the law, both individuals were guilty, so this unequal treatment reflects a clear double standard. This kind of injustice—holding one person accountable while excusing another—has existed throughout history and continues even today.
However, Jesus does not begin by correcting their legal inconsistency. Instead, He addresses something deeper—the hypocrisy of the accusers. By saying, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,” He shifts the focus from the woman’s sin to the hearts of those judging her. One by one, they leave, confronted by their own guilt.
This moment reveals an important principle: people are often quick to condemn others while ignoring their own sin. Jesus consistently challenged this mindset, teaching that self-examination must come before judging others. The issue was not just the woman’s wrongdoing, but the self-righteous attitude of those accusing her.
Ultimately, Jesus demonstrates both justice and mercy. He does not deny that sin is real, but He refuses to participate in a hypocritical and unjust condemnation. Instead, He exposes the deeper problem—human pride and selective judgment—and calls for a more honest and humble response to sin.
Key Takeaways
- Both Were Guilty
The absence of the man shows injustice and bias. - Double Standards Exist
Society often treats similar sins differently. - Jesus Exposed Hypocrisy
He shifted focus to the accusers’ own sin. - Self-Examination Comes First
Judge yourself before judging others. - Mercy and Truth Together
Jesus upheld both without compromise. - Avoid Selective Judgment
Be consistent and humble in dealing with sin.
Transcript
[00:00:01 – 00:01:08] Uh thanks for taking my call. Uh well to begin with uh the uh the lady that was caught in the act and it was taken right before Jesus and and what Jesus said, you know, whoever had sin, you know, cast the first stone. But my my take is that it takes two to tangle, right? So why did the guy be left behind? They went in there, got her out and took her to Jesus. Both of them should have been thrown before Jesus, but only she was. And the man, I mean, it just seemed like the other man just applauded. Hey, good
[00:00:35 – 00:01:22] job. Look. And got her and just threw her out there. It’s just It’s not cool. No. But >> Right. It’s not taking >> Well, it’s not cool. And a lot of that’s been going on for a long time. Even goes on in high schools, you know, down the street where I’m looking out my window. A lot of people are thinking it’s great when the guy sleeps around, but it’s uh you know, it’s it’s a a I mean, I could use a lot of of of terrible words to describe the woman that sleeps around in
[00:00:58 – 00:01:57] high school. And all I’m telling you is the double standard is part of the sinful world. And yeah, that is not cool the way it’s described there in John 8. And you’re right, it takes two to tango. And none of this should be uh one person’s fault. It’s both people’s fault. But that’s not what was presented to Christ in that story in John 8. What was presented to Christ was the woman. And even in that, I mean, there’s this incredible act of mercy that he shows by saying, you know, if you want to punish
[00:01:28 – 00:02:22] this gal, we can get at it, but let’s start about you men, the men that were gathered around there, and none of them could do it. Starting with the uh uh the youngest or the oldest to the youngest. So yeah, it’s an act of injustice and Jesus met that injustice all throughout his ministry and he was trying to set the record straight as he often did and even in this story that probably didn’t belong in John 8 by the way. But nevertheless, even if it’s a historic story of Christ and what he did, I
[00:01:55 – 00:02:44] certainly think he set the record straight by saying it’s funny how we’re all focusing on this gal’s sin and we’re not even thinking of our own. And that just gets back to a principle he did clearly teach in the sermon on the mount. we can take the speck out of the our brother’s eye even though you know adultery of this woman it’s more than a speck but he says well you got the log in your own and in that sense we need to we really need to deal with our own introspection uh before we start being
[00:02:19 – 00:03:14] too judgmental on other people but the measure you measure out it’s going to be measured back to you so I can’t disagree that it wasn’t cool but I I think everything that is an indicative story in the Bible except for the acts of Christ himself uh those things are always going to be recorded as sometimes very unjust or unfair or uncool situations as you put it. >> Right. And you know, I was I was thinking, you know, whatever they brought her up, Jesus should have I’m I’m assuming he should have said, “But
[00:02:47 – 00:03:47] where’s the guy at? Where’s the guy at? Bring the guy, too.” >> Yeah. >> But hey, it just uh the story is that the woman was right there and you know, and and you know, another thing, too. Was she naked or was she h, you know, I mean, pulled her out out of, you know, and I’m just like, oh my goodness. You know, I, you know, don’t know how it how it was or what have you, but I mean, >> right, >> you know, I don’t know. But, >> well, the whole the whole context of
[00:03:16 – 00:04:09] this as it’s recorded there in John 8 is about the Pharisees and the scribes bringing this woman. And all throughout the gospels, Jesus, particularly in Matthew 23, is castigating these scribes and Pharisees because they’re the biggest hypocrites of all. And so, who knows? Yeah. Caught in the act. She was caught in the act. So, maybe she was, you know, partially clothed or not clothed at all. I don’t know. But he’s trying to look at some of the most uh hypocritical people in that culture and
[00:03:44 – 00:04:22] saying, “Hey, before you start killing her, let’s talk about you.” And and that’s what he does. He turns the tables on these guys. >> Right. All right. All right. Well, I appreciate you. Thank you so much. Thanks, Chris. For you having the radio show here, you know. >> I appreciate it. Well, tell people about it. It’s new and uh people still need to find it.
