John 8: 3-11 (Woman caught in adultery)
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When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him. Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. 5Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women--offenders] shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her--what is Your sentence]...11She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.
This incident is only found in John. Matthew, Mark and Luke did not narrate this incident. I wonder why others did not report this! Some biblical scholars believe that this incident is not reported in reliable manuscripts. The identity of this woman is not clearly revealed in the Gospels. After googling on this subject, I have found that the body of Christ has been divided into two camps, one supporting that this "Adulterous Lady" and the "Mary of Bethany" (Mary Magdalene) are the same, and the other camp says that these two ladies are different. I have visited both camps and found that they both have some valuable points to support their conclusion. So, I decided to do a unbiased study on this subject with Holy Spirit as my teacher and guide.
There is a powerful truth we all must know when studying the Word of God. Satan always builds a big wall around powerful truths in the form of controversies, so that mediocre believer's will not enter into it. I am always very curious to learn or dig deeper into subjects where there are controversies surrounding it. This is one subject I have been inspired to dig deeper for a long time.
Let us get back to the incident where this Lady was caught for this sin. If this Lady was condemned by Jesus for this sin, it would have jeopardized the Grace and Mercy ministry of Jesus. If she was not condemned for this sin, it would have been an open violation of Mosaic Law by Jesus. Jesus who is the wisdom of God knows what to do without violating the Law as well as His message of Grace. He wisely threw the decision back to the Pharisees; "Whoever is without sin, throw the first stone at her"
All those who condemned and judged her went convicted of their own sins, leaving her and Jesus alone. I assume this lady was weeping in front of Jesus with her tears falling on the feet of Jesus. Jesus was the only one who was without sin to condemn her, but He did don't condemn her and let her free to live holy.
I believe, ever since she received the forgiveness of Jesus, she fall in Love with Jesus and became a very close follower of Jesus. This is the story of every true believer who get into intimate relationship with Jesus, when he/she get a revelation that all his/her past, present and future sins are forgiven by Jesus 2000 years ago.
[I remember the days when I got a glimpse of this eternal forgiveness in 2006; everytime I think about this truth, I just open my mouth and say wow....what an amazing love.]
She was looking for every opportunity to express her love to Him. She did not waste a single opportunity to express her love to Jesus; she broke into Simon's house as a uninvited guest. She was willing to express her love at any cost.
Let us go through all the verses related to this incident from the Bible. John did not report this incident that took place at Simon the leper’s house, but Matthew, Mark and Luke reported it.
Remember ! Chronologically this is the second incident of this kind, the first incident happend at Lazarus house.
Mathew 26:6-9
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste? 9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Mark 14:3-6
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, why was this waste of the ointment made? 5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me.
Luke 7:36-40
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner (notice the usage "was/past tense - not a sinner now), when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master
Let us draw out all the facts of this incident from these three writers;
· Place; At Bethany in Simons house (Mathew & Mark)
· Simon; Leper and a Pharisee
· Woman's name; Name is not disclosed
· Her identity in the Society : Sinner, Jesus reveals that her sins were many and all were forgiven. We don't what kind of sin she is involved with (only Luke)
· Anointing substance: Alabaster box of ointment (All)
· Cost of the ointment: >300 denary (only Luke)
· Date of the incident; Two days before the Passover (Matthew 26:2)
· Act; Anointed Jesus' head (Mathew & Mark). Luke mentions only the anointing on the leg.
There is no doubt that all three writers Matthew, Mark and Luke are reporting the same incident. From Luke’s writings, we could get a clue about the past history of this lady, that she is known as a sinner among pharisaical society. We can clearly see that she is so grateful to Jesus for forgiving her sins, which I believe when she was caught in the act of adultery (Jon 8:3-11)
Jesus clearly revealed the reason why she love Him so much in Luke 7:39-50
Luke 7:39-50
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
This forgiveness of her sins was a past event; and that could be the reason why she loved Jesus deeply. I have all reasons to believe that this great forgiveness is happened on the day she was caught in the act of adultery. Probably from that day onwards the Pharisaical community stamped her as a Sinner woman. This incident of catching her in the act of adultery is mentioned only in John 8, and other three writers did not report it to get any other clues to back track her identity from that spot.
As I wrote before, from these 3 writers report on the same incident, we don't get a clue of this woman's name. Now we have to find who is she? What is her actual name? Is she Mary Magdalene? Is she Mary the Sister of Martha and Lazarus?
John did not report this incident that took place at Simon the leper's house (First incident) . There are two places identical incidents took place, one at Simon the leper’s house and other at Lazarus house. On a careful look, we can see that incident took place at Lazarus house was six days before the Passover, and the incident that took place at Simon the lepers house was two days before the Passover. So the first incident happend at Lazarus house, and the second incident occured at Simon the lepers house.
John 11:2 could be referring to the incident that took place in Lazarus house, though he reported this incident in John 12. We are still not sure who was this lady who anointed Jesus at Simon's house.
John 11:1-2
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Now let us look at the first incident that took place at Lazarus house;
John 12:1-9
Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. 4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
· Place; At Bethany in Lazarus' house
· Woman's name; Mary of Bethany
· Her identity in the Society : Lazarus and Martha's sister
· Anointing substance: ointment of spikenard
· Cost of the ointment: >300 pence
· Date of the incident; Six days before the Passover and after the resurrection of Lazarus
· Action: Anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair
Let us look at some of the common denominators on both incidents;
· Person's gender : Woman
· Place: Bethany
· Anointing substance: Perfumed Ointment
· Action: Anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair
· Cost of the ointment: 300 pence
Note: Spikenard is symbolic and represents death to self and total surrender of our lives to Jesus Christ.
The incident at Lazarus house is not reported by Matthew, Mark and Luke, and is reported only in John's account. Again, we don't know who is this lady who was caught in the act of adultery and who anointed Jesus at Simon the lepers house.
Let us see all the scriptures where Mary Magdalene is referred;
Matthew 27:56 (Whole Chapter)
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee children.
Matthew 27:61(Whole Chapter)
And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Matthew 28:1(Whole Chapter)
In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mark 15:40(Whole Chapter)
There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
Mark 15:47 (Whole Chapter)
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
Mark 16:1 (Whole Chapter)
And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Luke 8:2 (Whole Chapter)
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
Luke 24:10 (Whole Chapter)
It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
John 19:25(Whole Chapter)
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 20:1(Whole Chapter)
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 20:18(Whole Chapter)
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
There is no clear evidence from these scriptures to declare that the lady who was caught for the adultery have any connection with Mary Magdalene or Mary of Bethany (Lazarus sister), but there is every reason to believe that the lady who anointed Jesus at Bethany in Simon the leper's house could be the same lady who was caught in the adultery. Luke's description of her as a sinner and Jesus' reasoning of her love towards Him because of a past incident where All her sins were forgiven by Him, pointing us to the only incident where a lady was caught in the act of adultery.
Almost all scripture verses referring to Mary Magdalene were at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection except the one in Luke 8:2. It is interesting to notice that Luke 7 is ending with the lady who anoints Jesus at Simon the leper’s house, and Luke 8 is starting with Mary Magdalene as one of the woman who followed Jesus to preach the kingdom of God. We have one clue to believe that lady who anointed Jesus at Simon the leper’s house could be Mary Magdalene. Now we could come to a near conclusion that Lady who was caught in the adultery and the lady who anointed Jesus at Simon the leper’s house was Mary Magdalene.
Why is she anoiniting Jesus with this very expensive perfumed ointment? Does this act reveal something ?
Yes, It was believed that in those days (probably even now) prostitutes use very expensive ointments on their body to soften their skin, and to attract men. So, I believe anointing Jesus feet with her expensive ointment is a sign of quitting her profession. That Alabaster Jar with spiknard was her investment for future business, now surrendered at the feet of Jesus. I also believe that she might have poured even the last drop of that ointment at the feet of Jesus, so that she will not be tempted to go back to that profession any more in life. She no longer needs that ointment in her life, she found her new profession in Jesus, as a close disciple. This is true transformation of a person, when He/She has a personal encounter with Jesus.
When she first met Jesus, She received the abundance of Grace (forgiveness) from Jesus; that gives her strength and courage to SIN NO MORE, and eventually quit her sinner profession once and forever.
So now one remaining question is; when was Jesus expelled seven demons out of her? It could (I guess) be on the same day when she was caught in the act of adultery. It is believed that sexual intercourse is one way people get posessed with demons. So prostitutes have every possibility to get posessed with demons, though we may not see outward signs of it.
Note: One thing I learned, when studying the Bible we always study in the presence of our teacher, revealer and guide Holy Spirit. He alone can help us to fill in the gaps; that is why God has given us not only 66 books, but also the living author Holy Spirit. Each person who read this article must ask Holy Spirit to get a deeper revelation of this subject. You are responsible for knowing the truth from HIM.
Now let us see, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany, are they same?
Let us see all the references where Mary of Bethany mentioned in the Bible;
Luke 10:39 (Whole Chapter)
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luke 10:42 (Whole Chapter)
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her
John 11:1(Whole Chapter)
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:2 (Whole Chapter)
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
John 11:19 (Whole Chapter)
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
John 11:20 (Whole Chapter)
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
John 11:28 (Whole Chapter)
And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
John 11:31 (Whole Chapter)
The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
John 11:32 (Whole Chapter)
Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:45 (Whole Chapter)
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 12:3 (Whole Chapter)
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Mary the sister of Lazarus is mentioned only in Luke 10 and John 11-12; [in Luke 7 we see the anonymous lady anointing Jesus, and in Luke 8 we see Mary Magdalene following Jesus, in Luke 10 we see Mary as the sister of Lazarus and Martha], she was one person whom Jesus praised much for her love and devotion to Him, but Bible never mentioned anything about her past history, whether she was married, single or divorced, and the reason why she fall in love with Jesus. Why did she spend over a worth of annual income at the feet of Jesus. Where was she at the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus if she was not Mary Magdalene?
I would like you to answer these questions and draw your own conclusion;
Who is this lady who was caught in the adultery?
- Why is this anonymous lady anointed Jesus with her costly perfume at Simon the lepers house?
- Why Luke mentioned Mary Magdalenes name in Luke 8 immediately after this incident?
- Why two incidents exactly identical at two different days? Lady, perfume, cost and Jesus
- What is the past history of Mary the sister of Lazarus?
- How Jesus became so close with this family?
- Where was Mary the sister of Lazarus at the time of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, if she was not Mary of Magdal?
- What was the use of this costly perfume in their past life?
- Why did she kept this perfume in their custody?
- Is she a perfume seller or a body seller in her past ?
- Pouring this perfume at Jesus' feet, is this act a sign of quitting her old profession?
- Why Mary Magdalene is seen at the site of crucifixion, burial and resurrection where as Mary of Bethany is not seen any where near ?
- Why Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first?
- Why did Jesus said " Her story shall be preached as a memorial of Gospel"? (Mark 14:9)
- Without knowing full story of her, how can we preach about her as a memorial of the gospel?
- Is it really worth digging out to reveal the identity of this lady? Yes
This is my conclusion, I have every reason to believe that the Lady who was caught for the act of adultery, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany are the same person. Without connecting these pieces of information from the scriptures and connect it with the help of HS , there is no story. This is the story of a true disciple, how grace works in a person, a radical transormation of a whore to a worshipper. This lady who was caught for the adultery; eversince she understood the unconditional forgiveness of Jesus, never left Him. She quit her profession, she spend all her investments at the feet of Jesus. She followed Jesus throughout his crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection.
It is sad to say that most Christians never had a personal encounter with Jesus, that is why most churches are full of legalists. We don't need any moral law in the churches, what we need is a personal encounter with Jesus. Apostle Paul had an enounter with Jesus, he became a radical grace revealer. The lady at the well had an enounter with Jesus, she became an instant evangelist. Zaccahus, the tax collecter became a giver after he had an encounter with Jesus.
The Grace message already have enough memorials in the scripture itself, don't need to look for another testimony from your neighbourhood. Finally I had an enounter with Jesus a few years ago, it is now transforming me as a radical grace revealer. I Give all my thanks to Jesus my Lord.
If you can believe these connections, wait for the Part 2, my next article I am inspired to write to reveal the power of the gospel and effortless transformation in a person.
(Continued.......................)