John 8 - Africa Study Bible

No Throwing Stones • John 8:1-11

The Jewish religious leaders were not concerned about enforcing the Jewish law against adultery. If they were, they would have brought the man for punishment as well. Instead, they merely wanted to trap Jesus. If Jesus told them to stone the woman, he would lose his popularity with the crowds who looked on him as a compassionate teacher. If he told them not to stone the woman, the religious leaders could condemn him for not upholding the Law of Moses.

But Jesus was not easily tricked. By declaring that only a sinless person could cast the first stone, Jesus was not ignoring the sin of the woman. Instead, he was condemning the heartlessness of the accusers. They were full of pride, thinking they stood on higher moral ground and could judge others’ sins. Jesus made it clear—and the accusers quickly understood—that no one is without sin.

Of all the people in the story, only Jesus was qualified to throw a stone. But he did not. Jesus urged the woman to sin no more. It is so easy for us to concentrate on the sins of others while being blind to our own sins. Are you quick to condemn others? Ask Jesus to help you see and deal with the sin in your own life. After all, that’s your first responsibility—you. Then you can help others.

Angry mobs are common in many parts of the world. When a person commits a crime, a mob stones or burns the accused person to death. Sometimes that person may not have committed the crime. Other people—who may be guilty of the same crime—take the law into their hands and kill the accused without a fair trial. However, the Sama of Angola say, Wela a mwela kinxibhi. Se oxibha omutu wixi waxibha mukua nai wanda kuxibha eie mukunda dya ku muxibha, meaning, “The one who committed a mistake must be rebuked, not killed. If you kill someone for being a murderer, who will kill you for killing him?”

When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus pointed out that all the leaders who wanted to kill her deserved judgement themselves. Jesus was the only one present who had never sinned. Jesus did not stone the woman because he did not come to cast stones at sinners. He came to save them.

As followers of Jesus, our role is to share the Good News of Jesus with the lost and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). That is the opposite of becoming a person’s accuser. Let God or the proper authorities bring judgement. We must help restore sinners with compassion, forgiveness, and love.

In traditional villages and even modern cities, the onset of the night brings dread and fear of lurking danger. Most evils and crimes are committed under the cover of darkness. Acts of witchcraft and sorcery, theft and murder, immorality and drunkenness often take place in darkness. Murderers, night runners, and those who consult mediums hide under the cover of darkness. People are uncertain of what lies in the shadow of darkness, so they look forward to dawn.

Jesus makes a profound statement about himself when he says that he is the light of the world. He calls upon his listeners to follow him so that they may walk not in darkness. Because he is the light of life, they can walk in the joy of his light.

Anyone who wants to be illuminated by the presence of Christ—who gives hope and direction to life—must identify with Christ by faith. This is the only way we will walk in the light. This is the only way we will avoid being tangled in the darkness of the world and its deceptive pleasures.