Wednesday, February 25, 2004
The parable of the woman caught in adultery
This is one of my favorite parables. From the etext of the King James version at the University of Virginia, John 8:3-11:
"Beginning at the eldest..."
Somehow I think that whatever it was that Jesus was writing on the ground, it wasn't the text of a constitutional amendment, let alone the anti-gay marriage amendment.
[3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
[4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
[5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
[6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
[7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
[8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
[9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
[10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
[11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
"Beginning at the eldest..."
Somehow I think that whatever it was that Jesus was writing on the ground, it wasn't the text of a constitutional amendment, let alone the anti-gay marriage amendment.