4. Woman accused of adultery (7:53-8:11)

This account was not originally part of this gospel but was added later. The situation was designed to trap Jesus into opinions contrary to the Law of Moses (8:6; cf. Lev 20:10; Dt 22:22ff.), but he avoided the snare. We have no way of knowing what he wrote on the ground (8:6). He did not condemn the woman, though her guilt was hardly in question, but he did bid her to cease sinning (v.11; cf. 3:17; 5:14). And in his presence her accusers were silenced (vv.7-9; cf. 3:18).