John 7:53-8:11, the story about Jesus and the woman taken in adultery is not found in the earliest manuscripts. There is, however, nothing in the story that is contrary to sound doctrine; therefore, I believe that it is a true story. Much can be found in this story regarding New Testament doctrine. I will often hear people in our society say, “Do not judge!” They are most often misquoting what Jesus said in Matthew 7:1 (NASB) about Judging Others, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” I think that the misunderstanding is twofold: First, they do not want to be told that their lifestyle is wrong. Second, they do not understand what is meant by, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” There is no doubt that in the law, given through Moses, that sexual immorality was a crime punishable by death. In John 7:53-8:11, Jesus never says that her accusers made a wrong judgement, adultery is wrong, but it is only the righteous who should execute judgment. In Matthew 5:27-28 (NASB) Jesus taught his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Adultery is wrong and is a crime punishable by death; however, only the righteous should execute judgment but as the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:10-12 (NASB)
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
Therefore, judge righteously but it is not our please to execute judgment because we are not righteous, “No one is good except God alone.” (Mk 10:18, NASB)
Michael Peek, BSN, RN, MTS
