John 8:4

KJV

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

KJV (with Strong's)

They say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Master {G1320}, this {G3778} woman {G1135} was taken {G2638} in adultery {G3431}, in the very act {G1888}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they said to him, “Rabbi, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.

Berean Standard Bible

and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

American Standard Version

they say unto him, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 8:4 presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry where religious authorities attempt to ensnare Him. The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in the very act of adultery before Jesus, feigning respect by addressing Him as "Master." Their true motive is not justice, but to force Jesus into an impossible dilemma, hoping to discredit His teachings on grace or accuse Him of defying Mosaic Law, thereby setting the stage for His profound and unexpected response.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the pericope of the adulterous woman, a passage (John 7:53-8:11) whose textual authenticity has been debated but is widely accepted as canonical and theologically consistent with John's Gospel. Immediately preceding this scene, Jesus has been teaching in the temple courts, asserting His divine origin and challenging the spiritual blindness of the Jewish leaders [John 7:37-52](/john/7-37-52 "John 7:37-52 - Jesus Teaches at the Feast"). The abrupt interruption by the scribes and Pharisees with the accused woman serves as a direct confrontation, shifting the focus from Jesus' teaching to a legal and moral test designed to trap Him. The narrative flow highlights the escalating tension between Jesus and the religious establishment, who are constantly seeking opportunities to undermine His authority and expose Him to legal or theological condemnation. The setting of the temple, a place of divine law and judgment, intensifies the drama of their challenge.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Under Mosaic Law, adultery was a capital offense, punishable by death, typically stoning [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery"); [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Law on Adultery"). However, by the Roman occupation of Judea, Jewish courts had lost the authority to carry out capital punishment; this power was reserved for the Roman procurator. This historical reality is crucial to understanding the trap. If Jesus affirmed the Law, He would be inciting a riot and defying Roman authority, potentially leading to His arrest. If He showed mercy, He could be accused of disregarding God's Law and undermining the very foundations of Jewish society. Furthermore, the accusers' selective enforcement of the law—bringing only the woman and not the man involved—reveals their profound hypocrisy and disregard for the spirit of the law, which required both parties to be held accountable. This was a common tactic used by the religious elite to assert their authority and control.
* **Key Themes:** The incident in [John 8](/john/8 "John 8 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman") powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it starkly contrasts **Legalism vs. Grace**. The Pharisees represent a rigid adherence to the letter of the law, devoid of compassion or a deeper understanding of God's heart, aiming to condemn. Jesus, conversely, embodies divine grace, offering a path to redemption while upholding truth. Secondly, the scene underscores the theme of **Testing and Trapping Jesus**. The religious leaders consistently sought to ensnare Jesus in His words, believing they could expose Him as a false prophet or a lawbreaker [Matthew 22:15](/matthew/22-15 "Matthew 22:15 - Pharisees Plot to Trap Jesus"). This encounter is a prime example of their manipulative tactics. Thirdly, the pervasive theme of **Hypocrisy** is evident. The accusers' own moral failings and selective application of the law are exposed by Jesus' piercing insight [John 8:7](/john/8-7 "John 8:7 - Let Him Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Stone"), revealing their self-righteousness. This narrative also touches on themes of **Sin and Forgiveness**, **Judgment and Mercy**, and Jesus' **Authority** as the ultimate arbiter of truth and grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos'_):** This term, meaning "an instructor" or "teacher," is used by the scribes and Pharisees to address Jesus. While seemingly respectful, their use of the title here is manipulative. They are not genuinely seeking instruction or wisdom but rather a judicial ruling that will serve their agenda. They place Jesus in the position of a legal authority, hoping to force Him to make a pronouncement that will incriminate Him.
* **taken (Greek, _katalambánō'_):** Derived from "to take eagerly" or "seize," this verb emphasizes the forceful and undeniable nature of the woman's apprehension. It implies she was caught in a way that left no room for denial, making the case seem "open-and-shut." The term highlights the accusers' intent to present an airtight case, leaving Jesus no apparent escape from the legal dilemma.
* **in the very act (Greek, _epautophōrōi'_):** This adverbial phrase, meaning "in theft itself" or "in actual crime," underscores the immediacy and undeniable evidence of the alleged offense. It conveys the sense of being caught "red-handed." This detail is crucial to the accusers' strategy, as it eliminates any possibility of disputing the fact of the adultery itself, thereby focusing the entire challenge on Jesus' judgment regarding the prescribed punishment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They say unto him, Master":** This clause identifies the speakers as the scribes and Pharisees, who have just brought the woman before Jesus. Their address, "Master," is a feigned term of respect, intended to set up Jesus as a legitimate authority figure whose ruling they can then scrutinize and use against Him. It highlights their manipulative intent rather than genuine deference.
* **"this woman was taken in adultery":** This is the core accusation. The passive voice ("was taken") emphasizes the woman's state as the apprehended party. The charge of "adultery" (moicheia) is a grave one under Mosaic Law, carrying the penalty of death. The accusers present the fact of the crime as undeniable, setting the stage for their legal trap concerning the prescribed punishment.
* **"in the very act":** This phrase intensifies the accusation, asserting that the woman was apprehended at the precise moment the sin was being committed. This detail is crucial for the accusers, as it removes any ambiguity or possibility of denial regarding the act itself, leaving no room for a defense based on lack of evidence. It is designed to make their case seem irrefutable and force Jesus into a direct legal pronouncement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The **Dialogue** format immediately thrusts the reader into the confrontation, highlighting the direct challenge posed to Jesus. The accusers' use of the title "Master" is a subtle form of **Irony**, as their true intention is not to learn from Jesus but to trap Him. The phrase "in the very act" serves as **Hyperbole** to emphasize the undeniable nature of the alleged crime, though its primary function is to underscore the accusers' perceived airtight case. The entire scene functions as a **Test** or **Trial**, not of the woman, but of Jesus Himself, designed to expose His perceived flaws or contradictions. The **Juxtaposition** of the woman's vulnerability with the accusers' self-righteousness sets a powerful moral contrast, foreshadowing Jesus' later exposure of their hypocrisy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:4 serves as a dramatic illustration of the clash between rigid legalism and divine grace, a recurring tension throughout the Gospels. The accusers, fixated on the letter of the law and their own perceived righteousness, seek to condemn, while Jesus consistently demonstrates a profound understanding of the human heart and God's redemptive purposes. This encounter highlights that true righteousness extends beyond outward adherence to rules, encompassing inward purity and compassionate justice. The scene also foreshadows Jesus' role as the ultimate judge, whose judgment is rooted in truth and mercy, rather than condemnation.

* [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery")
* [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Law on Adultery")
* [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came Not to Condemn")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, though brief, immediately challenges us to examine our own hearts and motives when we are quick to judge or condemn others. The accusers' focus was not on the woman's repentance or the restoration of justice, but on trapping Jesus and asserting their own moral superiority. This should prompt us to consider whether our own pursuit of righteousness sometimes devolves into self-righteousness, leading us to scrutinize others' failures while ignoring our own. It calls us to embody the spirit of grace and truth that Jesus consistently demonstrated, seeking to understand, to forgive, and to restore, rather than to merely expose and condemn. Before pointing fingers, we are invited to reflect on our own spiritual condition and the beam in our own eye, fostering a posture of humility and compassion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the accusers, be tempted to use religious rules or moral standards to judge or condemn others, rather than to seek their restoration?**
* **How does the selective application of the law by the Pharisees (bringing only the woman) challenge my own sense of fairness and justice?**
* **What does this verse reveal about the manipulative nature of spiritual pride, and how can I guard against it in my own life?**

### FAQ
**Why did the scribes and Pharisees bring only the woman, and not the man, if both were required to be punished under the Law?**

Answer: The Mosaic Law clearly stipulated that both the man and the woman involved in adultery were to be put to death [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery"); [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Law on Adultery"). The fact that only the woman was brought before Jesus highlights the profound hypocrisy and manipulative intent of the scribes and Pharisees. Their primary goal was not to uphold justice or the Law impartially, but to set a trap for Jesus. Bringing only the woman allowed them to create a seemingly "open-and-shut" case, forcing Jesus into a dilemma: either contradict His message of mercy by upholding the harsh letter of the Law (and potentially defying Roman authority, who reserved capital punishment), or appear to disregard the Law, thereby discrediting Him in the eyes of the people. Their selective enforcement was a cynical tactic to achieve their desired outcome against Jesus, rather than a genuine pursuit of righteousness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:4, while presenting a scene of human sin and legalistic condemnation, ultimately points to the profound Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The "Master" whom the accusers attempt to trap is none other than the Son of God, who came not to condemn the world but to save it [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came Not to Condemn"). In this moment, Jesus stands as the embodiment of both divine justice and boundless mercy. He is the one who, though without sin [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest"), would ultimately bear the condemnation for all humanity's "adultery" against God. His subsequent actions in this narrative, particularly His challenge to the accusers and His compassionate words to the woman [John 8:7](/john/8-7 "John 8:7 - Let Him Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Stone") and [John 8:11](/john/8-11 "John 8:11 - Go and Sin No More"), foreshadow His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He took upon Himself the penalty for sin, offering forgiveness and new life to all who believe [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated"). He is the true Judge, whose authority is not for condemnation but for salvation, demonstrating that true righteousness is found not in self-righteous legalism, but in humble repentance and faith in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.