John 8:3
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Original Language Analysis
ἄγουσιν
brought
G71
ἄγουσιν
brought
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαῖοι
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
7 of 18
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
8 of 18
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,
αὐτὴν
her
G846
αὐτὴν
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 18
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
κατειλημμένην
taken
G2638
κατειλημμένην
taken
Strong's:
G2638
Word #:
13 of 18
to take eagerly, i.e., seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στήσαντες
when they had set
G2476
στήσαντες
when they had set
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
15 of 18
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
According to Levitical law (Lev 20:10), both adulterers were to be executed, yet only the woman was brought. This selective enforcement suggests the whole scene was contrived to trap Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- How does legalism without grace harm people?
- When are you tempted to use others to prove your theological points?
- What does this scene reveal about religious hypocrisy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery, setting a trap for Jesus. Their action reveals hardened hearts more concerned with catching Jesus in error than with justice or the woman's soul. This illustrates how religion without grace becomes cruel, using people as pawns in theological disputes.