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Is the 'Woman Caught in Adultery' Really Part of Scripture?
By Julie Lyons
Published: April 24, 2008
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Dr. Daniel B. Wallace
Subject(s): Adultery, Scripture
It’s a famous passage in Scripture, the story of the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees and religious leaders have dragged her before Jesus in an attempt to trap him, and they ask if she should be stoned to death, in accordance with the law of Moses. The Bible notes she was “caught” in adultery, which presumes she was seen with a man. Yet no man is present when the religious leaders stand her before Jesus in the temple courts.
When the leaders persist in questioning him, Jesus says, “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” At these words, the accusing crowd melts away. “Has no one condemned you?” Jesus asks the woman.
“No one, sir,” she says.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus says. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
The passage is so well-known, and such a striking example of Jesus’ forgiveness and call to lead a godly life, that it has its own name—the pericope adulterae.
But is it really inspired Scripture?
Dr. Daniel B. Wallace, a New Testament Studies professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, has found evidence in Albania that suggests to him it is not, according to a Web-only story in Christianity Today. While photographing ancient New Testament manuscripts in Tirana, Albania, including many that were previously unknown to Western scholars, Wallace found that the story of the woman caught in adultery “was missing from three of the texts, and was out of place in a fourth, tacked on to the end of John's Gospel.”
Most translations of the Bible—including the NIV, which is linked to above—note the problems with this much-loved text yet still include it. It is certainly consistent with Jesus’ teachings. But is it the “inspired,” inerrant Word of God?
In a related Q&A, Wallace says:
“One of the Albanian manuscripts that lacked the story was 'fixed' by a later scribe who hastily stitched a sheet of paper to the following parchment page, scribbling the text of the pericope adulterae on the paper! Even though most manuscripts of the fourth gospel have the story, the earliest and best manuscripts do not.”
This isnt new. It seems to be common knowledge among biblical historians.
If you thought that was interesting, Julie, I would be interested in your thoughts after reading the book-
Misquoting Jesus : The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why.
Comment by Paul — April 24, 2008 @ 05:50AM
Not to tarnish this article, but the [i]pericope adulterae[/i], as it is known, has been doubted or at least disputed for at least four centuries, and didn't depend on Albanian manuscripts to fuel that dispute. The passage does not appear at all in the oldest Greek manuscripts, nor is it mentioned by the earliest Church Fathers - even in sermons and essays that would be expected to make use of the story. It starts to appear in some manuscripts done in the Sixth Century, but even then it is not settled as to its place in the Gospels. Even very conservative (in terms of being supportive of the King James Version or its underlying Greek text) Bible scholars, such as Burgon in the 19th century and the editors of two different "Majority Text" Greek New Testaments in the 20th century, have expressed seriously doubts as to its authenticity.
Comment by Bernard Sussman — May 6, 2008 @ 08:38AM
My only problem with the story has always been the obvious one. She was "caught" in adultery. Where was the man? Clipping his nails and whistling a tune? smile
Tammy Swofford
Comment by tammy swofford — May 9, 2008 @ 02:44PM
If the story of the woman caught in adultery is not part of scripture, biblical injuctions against sexual immorality still are. Adultery, fornication, i.e pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and bestiality are prohibited. The will of God as revealed in Holy Scripure will always be HOLINESS for those redeemed whether ancient Israel or those professing salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Any other behavior is an affront to God's original intent for humanity as well as through His redemption for humanity in Christ. Also to continue in behavior outside of a monogamous heterosexual relationship (holy matrimony) between a man and a woman serve as a denial of God's provision of salvation. This is what the Christian faith brings to the table of our contemporary dilemma of sexual immorality. That is an emphasis of the sacredness of holy matrimony not to be perverted by communities whether sacred or secular.
Comment by will — May 14, 2008 @ 04:30PM