John 8:3 — Community Reflections

JOHN 8:3 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

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

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst — the authorities arrive with a woman they claim was 'caught in adultery,' placing her publicly in the temple's center. The phrase 'taken in adultery' (kataleiphthē en moicheia, caught in the very act) establishes the alleged offense, which would fall under the Law's jurisdiction. The woman is set in the midst like a specimen, exposed and vulnerable. The scene is theatrical, designed to trap Jesus: any response will create a problem.

Church Fathers on John 8:3

Our Lord at the time of His passion used to spend the day in Jerusalem, preaching in the temple, and performing miracles, and return in the evening to Bethany, where He lodged with the sisters of Lazarus. Thus on the last day of the feast, having, according to His wont, preached the whole day in the temple, in the evening He went to the mount of Olives.
Alcuin · 8th century

And where ought Christ to teach, except on the mount of Olives; on the mount of ointment, on the mount of chrism. For the name Christ is from chrism, chrism being the Greek word for unction. He has anointed us, for wrestling with the devil.
Augustine · 4th century

And next it is signified, that after He began to dwell by grace in His temple, i.e. in the Church, men from all nations would believe in Him: And all the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them.
Bede · 8th century

Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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