Christ & the Woman Caught in Adultery: A Jewish Perspective Part 1
In this three-part series, we’re going to look at one of the most well-known yet greatly misunderstood passages in the entire Bible - chapter 8 of John’s Gospel, where we find the account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.
This is one of many examples of how mainstream Christianity’s separation from and rejection of its biblical Jewish foundation in favor of pagan, Hellenistic traditions has led not only to a false image of Christ but a distorted view of the grace of God and disdain, even contempt for His Law.
The very same Law that Paul - the apostle of grace – described in the seventh chapter of Romans as “holy and the commandment holy and just and good.” The very Law of which Paul also wrote, “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:31 (ESV)
The exact same Law, in fact, of which Christ Himself said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV)
Professing to be wise, multitudes of Christian theologians and Bible scholars in their rejection of anything Hebraic or Jewish have become darkened in their knowledge of Christ and His kingdom. And as a result, key aspects of who He really is, why He came and what He is offering to mankind have been ripped from their biblical moorings and transformed into what can rightly be called another gospel and another Christ.
This account in John’s Gospel provides us with an excellent opportunity to see Christ as He truly is. Simply put, it’s a fabulous example of the surpassing greatness of His true grace and mercy. And as we’ll see, it’s far more glorious and majestic than the cheap counterfeits that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries!
Every detail is important and must be carefully read and understood within the context of the entire biblical record. So in this episode, we'll begin by laying a proper foundation with a study of the relevant parts of the Law of Moses, beginning with adultery.
In our next episode, we’ll turn back to John’s account and begin looking at some of the popular interpretations of this passage that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries.
As it is written,
"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
The Gospel according to John 1:10-14