John 8:3

Authorized King James Version

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἄγουσιν
G71
brought
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
γραμματεῖς
the scribes
a professional writer
#5
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#6
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
#8
πρὸς
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#9
αὐτὴν
her
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#10
γυναῖκα
a woman
a woman; specially, a wife
#11
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#12
μοιχείᾳ
adultery
adultery
#13
κατειλημμένην
taken
to take eagerly, i.e., seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)
#14
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
στήσαντες
when they had set
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#16
αὐτὴν
her
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#17
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#18
μέσῳ
the midst
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The historical context of the late first century during increasing tension between synagogue and church provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The late first-century Jewish-Christian tensions and Hellenistic thought would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

People

Study Resources