John 8:7
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
American King James Version (AKJV)
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
American Standard Version (ASV)
But 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.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But when they went on with their questions, he got up and said to them, Let him among you who is without sin be the first to send a stone at her.
Webster's Revision
So when they continued asking him, he raised himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
World English Bible
But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her."
English Revised Version (ERV)
But 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.
Definitions for John 8:7
Clarke's John 8:7 Bible Commentary
He that is without sin - Αναμαρτητος, meaning the same kind of sin, adultery, fornication, etc. Kypke has largely proved that the verb ἁμαρτανειν is used in this sense by the best Greek writers.
Let him first cast a stone at her - Or, upon her, επ' αυτῃ. The Jewish method of stoning, according to the rabbins, was as follows: The culprit, half naked, the hands tied behind the back, was placed on a scaffold, ten or twelve feet high; the witnesses, who stood with her, pushed her off with great force: if she was killed by the fall there was nothing farther done; but, if she was not, one of the witnesses took up a very large stone, and dashed it upon her breast, which generally was the coup de grace, or finishing stroke. This mode of punishment seems referred to, Matthew 21:44. However, this procedure does not appear to have been always attended to. See Leviticus 24:16, and John 8:59 of this chapter.
Barnes's John 8:7 Bible Commentary
They continued asking him - They pressed the question upon him. They were determined to extort an answer from him, and showed a perseverance in evil which has been unhappily often imitated.
Is without sin - That is, without this particular sin; he who has not himself been guilty of this very crime - for in this place the connection evidently demands this meaning.
Let him first cast a stone at her - In the punishment by death, one of the witnesses threw the culprit from the scaffold, and the other threw the first stone, or rolled down a stone to crush him. See Deuteronomy 17:6-7. This was in order that the witness might feel his responsibility in giving evidence, as he was also to be the executioner. Jesus therefore put them to the test. Without pronouncing on her case, he directed them, if any of them were innocent, to perform the office of executioner. This was said, evidently, well knowing their guilt, and well knowing that no one would dare to do it.
Wesley's John 8:7 Bible Commentary
8:7 He that is without sin - He that is not guilty: his own conscience being the judge) either of the same sin, or of some nearly resembling it; let him - as a witness, cast the first stone at her.
