John 8:4
New International Version
and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

New Living Translation
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

English Standard Version
they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.

Berean Standard Bible
and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

Berean Literal Bible
they say to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act, committing adultery.

King James Bible
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

New King James Version
they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

New American Standard Bible
they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery.

NASB 1995
they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.

NASB 1977
they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.

Legacy Standard Bible
they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.

Amplified Bible
and they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.

Christian Standard Bible
“Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.

American Standard Version
they say unto him, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act.

Contemporary English Version
Then they said, "Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn't her husband.

English Revised Version
they say unto him, Master, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and asked Jesus, "Teacher, we caught this woman in the act of adultery.

Good News Translation
"Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.

International Standard Version
they told him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.

Majority Standard Bible
and to test Him they said, ?Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

NET Bible
and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery.

New Heart English Bible
they said to him, "Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act.

Webster's Bible Translation
They say to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Weymouth New Testament
"Rabbi," they said, "this woman has been found in the very act of committing adultery.

World English Bible
they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
they say to Him, “Teacher, this woman was taken in the very crime [of] committing adultery,

Berean Literal Bible
they say to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act, committing adultery.

Young's Literal Translation
they say to him, 'Teacher, this woman was taken in the very crime -- committing adultery,

Smith's Literal Translation
They say to him, Teacher, this woman was taken committing adultery, in the very act.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they said to him: “Teacher, this woman was just now caught in adultery.

New American Bible
They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.

New Revised Standard Version
they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They said to him, Teacher, this woman was caught openly in the act of adultery.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
They were saying to him, “Teacher, this woman was taken openly in the act of adultery.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and said to him: Teacher, this woman was detected in adultery; in the very act.

Godbey New Testament


Haweis New Testament
they say unto him, Master, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

Mace New Testament
they said to him, master, this woman was actually taken in adultery.

Weymouth New Testament
"Rabbi," they said, "this woman has been found in the very act of committing adultery.

Worrell New Testament
they say to Him, "Teacher, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Worsley New Testament
and setting her in the midst, they said to Him, "This woman was caught in the very act, committing adultery.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Woman Caught in Adultery
3The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them 4and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”…

Cross References
Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:22
If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.

Romans 2:22
You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

2 Samuel 11:2-5
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. ...

Proverbs 6:32
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Matthew 19:18
“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,

James 2:10-11
Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Revelation 2:22
Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.

Ezekiel 16:38
And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.


Treasury of Scripture

They say to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

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John 8
1. Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.
12. He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;
31. promises freedom to those who believe;
33. answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;
48. answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;
59. and slips away from those who would stone him.














and said,
This phrase indicates a direct address to Jesus, highlighting the role of the scribes and Pharisees as accusers. In the context of the Gospels, the Pharisees often sought to challenge Jesus' authority and teachings. This encounter is part of a series of confrontations where religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus in His words or actions.

“Teacher,
The term "Teacher" (Rabbi) is a respectful address, acknowledging Jesus' role as a respected teacher of the law. Despite their ulterior motives, the scribes and Pharisees recognize Jesus' authority and influence among the people. This title is used throughout the Gospels by both followers and opponents, indicating Jesus' widespread reputation as a knowledgeable and authoritative figure in Jewish society.

this woman
The focus on "this woman" highlights the personal nature of the accusation. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, women were often marginalized, and their testimony was not always considered valid in legal matters. The emphasis on the woman alone, without mention of the man involved, reflects the societal norms and potential biases of the time.

was caught
The phrase "was caught" suggests an act witnessed directly, implying a legal basis for the accusation. In Jewish law, as outlined in Deuteronomy 19:15, a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. The accusers claim to have sufficient evidence to bring the charge before Jesus, seeking His judgment.

in the act of adultery.
Adultery was a serious offense under Mosaic Law, punishable by death according to Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22. The law required both parties involved in the act to be punished, yet only the woman is presented here. This selective enforcement raises questions about the motives of the accusers and their adherence to the law. The situation also sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His wisdom and compassion, as He navigates the tension between justice and mercy.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts when the scribes and Pharisees bring the woman to Him. His response to the situation is pivotal.

2. The Woman Caught in Adultery
She is brought before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees, accused of committing adultery. Her situation is used as a test for Jesus.

3. Scribes and Pharisees
Religious leaders who bring the woman to Jesus, attempting to trap Him into making a statement they could use against Him. They are often depicted as legalistic and self-righteous.

4. The Temple Courts
The setting of this event, a place of teaching and worship, which underscores the public nature of the accusation and the test.

5. Adultery
The act the woman is accused of, which according to Mosaic Law, was punishable by stoning. This highlights the tension between law and grace.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Sin and Judgment
This passage challenges us to consider our own sinfulness before judging others. Jesus' response to the accusers highlights the importance of self-reflection and humility.

Grace and Mercy Over Legalism
Jesus demonstrates grace and mercy, contrasting with the legalistic approach of the Pharisees. This teaches us to prioritize compassion and forgiveness in our interactions.

The Role of Jesus as Teacher and Savior
Jesus is addressed as "Teacher," but His actions reveal His deeper role as Savior, offering redemption and a new path to those caught in sin.

Public vs. Private Sin
The public nature of the accusation contrasts with the private nature of sin, reminding us that God sees all and that our response should be one of grace, not public shaming.

The Power of Jesus' Words
Jesus' response to the situation demonstrates the power and authority of His words, encouraging us to seek His wisdom in our own lives.(4) The Cambridge MS. reads, "the priests say unto Him, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him," adding the word "priests," and placing here the first words of the sixth verse of the Received text.

Verse 4. - Master - Teacher - this woman has been taken committing adultery, in the very act. Ἐπαυτοφώρω originally meant in ipso furto, "in the very theft;" afterwards more generally in the commission of this particular sin. The burning shame and bestial bluntness of the charge make no excuse or palliation possible.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[and] said,
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Teacher,
Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

this
αὕτη (hautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

woman
γυνὴ (gynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

was caught
κατείληπται (kateilēptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2638: From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc.

in
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the act
αυτοφώρῳ (autophōrō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1888: In the very act. From epi and autos and a derivative of phor; in theft itself, i.e. in actual crime.

of adultery.
μοιχευομένη (moicheuomenē)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3431: To commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man). From moichos; to commit adultery.


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NT Gospels: John 8:4 They told him Teacher we found this (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 8:3
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