1. Read Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:13-21 and Deuteronomy 22:22. Describe how each passage might have applied to the situation presented to Jesus. Also describe the appropriateness of stoning the woman as provided by the Pharisees.
Lev 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.
Death is appropriate but it does not say stoning, and where is the man?
Deuteronomy 22:13-21
13 If a man takes a wife and, after lying with her, dislikes her 14 and slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, "I married this woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity," 15 then the girl's father and mother shall bring proof that she was a virgin to the town elders at the gate. 16 The girl's father will say to the elders, "I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he dislikes her. 17 Now he has slandered her and said, 'I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.' But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity." Then her parents shall display the cloth before the elders of the town, 18 and the elders shall take the man and punish him. 19 They shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the girl's father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She shall continue to be his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives. 20 If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the girl's virginity can be found, 21 she shall be brought to the door of her father's house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done a disgraceful thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father's house. You must purge the evil from among you.
Not sure if the sin is adultery, stoning is appropriate, but at her father’s door.
Deuteronomy 22:22
If a man is found sleeping with another man's wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.
Death is appropriate but it does not say stoning, and where is the man?
2. What were the possible schemes devised for the trap mentioned in verse 6?
3. In verse 12 Jesus says "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." How is light like life and how is death like darkness, or how are the terms similar, symbolic or similar to life and death?
Life is like light:
I John 1:5 states that “God is light”
Psalm 27:1 says “The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear?”
It was the first thing God created when he formed the world we live in.
Without light life cannot exist for plants; and therefore animals which depend upon them for food. This includes human beings.
Death is like darkness:
In the grave there is no light and without light (as shown above) there is no life and only death.
Living in extreme darkness describes those who at the end of time have not repented (Rev 16:10; 18:23).
From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers
1. The Pharisees challenged Jesus in verse 13 that he was“appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."
Although we know none other was necessary, what other witnesses might Jesus have called upon in addition to the Father?
2. Who provided Jesus the validity of his testimony and any judgment he might pass?
The Father
3. Where is it written that the testimony of two men is valid as Jesus stated in verse 17?
Deut 19:15:
One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Deut 17:6
On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
1. Why did Jesus answer the Pharisees question of Where is your father? with - You do not know me or my Father.
Because the only way they could know the Father is to know Jesus as he states in several places. In fact he adds this same truth just after his reply where he states If you knew me, you would know my Father also.
2. What are the 4 truths Jesus states in verse 21?
3. What strikes you about the Jews focus in verse 22 on the truth Where I go, you cannot come?
The Jews were apparently less focused on the truth that they were going to die in their sins – Jesus reinforces his statement that they would die in their sins in verse 24
Also, that they would look for him after his death
1. When Jesus is asked Who are you? He answers that He is Just what I have been claiming all along. Who was he claiming to be all along?
John 1:50-51:
50 Jesus said, You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that. 51 He then added, I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
John 4:25-26
25 The woman said, I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us. 26 Then Jesus declared, I who speak to you am he.
John 5:17-18
17 Jesus said to them, My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working. 18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (The Son of God)
John 5:24-27
24 I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life.
2. When the Pharisees did not understand that Jesus was telling them about his Father, what 5 truths did Jesus offer them in verses 28 and 29?
3. In verse 31 Jesus states that we are really his disciples when we hold to his teaching. How do we hold to his teaching?
1. What are the 2 truths offered to the true disciples of Jesus Christ?
2. What is the truth that Jesus speaks of in verse 32?
Jesus Christ and therefore the Father
3. In your opinion, how is a life of sin like a life of slavery? How is life different as a son as compared to a slave?
1. In verses 38 and 41 Jesus states that the Pharisees are doing what they have heard from their father, in fact, the very same things that their father does. What were they trying to do?
Kill Jesus Christ
2. What 2 fathers did the Pharisees claim in verses 39 through 41? Who did Jesus state their father was?
Jesus stated their father was Satan
3. In this chapter the Jews unfairly and prematurely judge Jesus. How have you prematurely or unfairly judged someone? How did you feel when you found out you were wrong? Did you ask forgiveness? Why did you make the mistake and what have you done to prevent a reoccurrence?
The best way to attempt to right a wrong is to ask for forgiveness and to specifically ask the person to forgive you by identifying what exactly it is you did wrong. For example: Susan please forgive me for talking about you behind your back, I'm sorry and ask your forgiveness.
If you sin, ask God for forgiveness but also ask your sister or brother as well.