John 8:5 — Community Reflections

JOHN 8:5 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? — they cite the Law: Leviticus 20:10 (and Deuteronomy 22:22) prescribe death for adultery. 'What sayest thou?' puts Jesus in the position of either affirming the harsh penalty (which might alienate the crowd) or refusing it (which might be seen as rejecting the Law). The trap is skillfully set: whatever Jesus says will appear to be either cruel legalism or antinomianism.

Church Fathers on John 8:5

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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