The Prodigal Daughter
by Rick Duggin
vai Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014
Though God wrote the Bible through human prophets, He wrote at least three times without human assistance. His finger carved the Law into stone on Mount Sinai (Exodus 31:18). The fingers of a man’s hand wrote judgment against Babylon on its palace wall (Daniel 5:5, 24). Jesus wrote love on the Temple floor in Jerusalem (John 7:53-8:11). We don’t know the exact words Jesus used; we do know that His writing gave everyone present an opportunity to embrace love. Consider this Scripture from three perspectives.
Textual Criticism
Many versions bracket the passage. The American Standard footnote says, “Most of the ancient authorities omit John 7:53-8:11.” Though the passage appears in many late Greek manuscripts, most mark it with an asterisk (*) or obelus ( - or + ) to denote doubtful authenticity. It is missing in most early Greek manuscripts and in all early “church fathers.”
However, Didymus the Blind (4th Century) and the Apostolic Constitutions (AD 375) knew the passage. Jerome included it in the Latin Vulgate (AD 405). In another work, Jerome noted that many Greek and Latin manuscripts included it. Eusebius, the historian, said that Papias “expounded another story about a woman who was accused before the Lord of many sins, which the Gospel according to the Hebrews contains” - H.E.III xxxix.16. This takes us back to an early second-century date.
Augustine said the passage was removed from the gospel because “some were of slight faith, and to avoid scandal.” They thought Jesus showed too much kindness to the adulterous woman.
Metzger says the account “has all the earmarks of historical veracity.” Carson agrees: “there is little reason for doubting that the event here described occurred.”
Temple Conflict
Scribes often taught their students in the Temple’s outer court. Here, the Pharisees and scribes set a trap for Jesus, using an adulterous woman for bait.
“Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say? This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him" (John 8:5-6). They intended to put Jesus between a rock and a hard place.
If He opposes her stoning, He ignores the Law of Moses and encourages adultery. Is this not the Jesus who is always correcting the Pharisees with the words, “Have you not read?” The Lord’s enemies would relish an opportunity to turn His words against Him.
If He defends the Law, however, He will alienate His sinful friends, and infringe on Roman Law. Jews could not execute criminals (John 18:31-32).
The Lord’s opponents could not have anticipated His response. “But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear” (John 8:6). The Jews, apparently mistaking this response for retreat, pressed Him for an answer. “He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground” (John 8:7-8).
Jesus did not retreat; His opponents did. “Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst” (John 8:9). The Jews were blindsided again.
Twofold Correction
The Lord shows remarkable love for souls, intense hatred for sin, and unfathomable insight into men's minds. He condemns the woman's immorality, but also her accusers’ hypocrisy.
The Jews, hoping to harm Jesus, “condemn” the woman (with words, not stones). Jesus also condemns the woman for her sin, but to lead her to repentance (John 8:11).
To ruthless Pharisees, the prodigal daughter is a pawn: they use and abuse her. They appear unwilling to “hate the sin but love the sinner.” They forget that God orders Hosea to take back his adulterous wife as an illustration of God’s love for adulterous Israel (Hosea 1-3). He shows mercy to people who deserve no mercy (it is mercy, not merit). Such lessons are lost on hate-filled hypocrites.
In dealing with this sinner, Jesus strikes the perfect balance. The sinless Savior does not condemn her (by stoning) but neither does He condone her. Mercifully He warns, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Worldly people mistakenly equate tolerance and love, and therefore view Christians as bigots. They condemn Jesus Himself. The prodigal daughter does not come to Jesus on her own initiative. The text does not say whether she ever returns to Him for forgiveness. We do know, however, that Jesus is passionate in His pursuit of lost souls (Luke 19:10). May we follow His example with the same passion.
