Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John 7:53

Verse John 7:53. And every man went, c.] The authority and influence of Nicodemus, in this case, was so great that the Sanhedrin broke up without being able to conclude any thing. As the feast was now ended, they were not obliged to continue any longer in or about Jerusalem and therefore all returned to their respective dwellings.

This verse and the first eleven verses of the following chapter are wanting in several MSS. Some of those which retain the paragraph mark it with obelisks, as a proof of spuriousness. Those which do retain it have it with such a variety of reading as is no where else found in the sacred writings. Professor Griesbach leaves the whole paragraph in the text with notes of doubtfulness. Most of the modern critics consider it as resting on no solid authority.

The following in the left-hand column, is a literal translation of the whole as it stands in the Codex Bezae. That on the right is a connected view of it from other manuscripts.

John 7:53; John 8:1.

From the Codex Bezae.	From other MSS.
John 7:53. And every one went to his own house.	53. And every one went away to his own people. (ταιδιααυτου) Al. place.
John 8:1. And Jesus went to the mount of Olives.	1. And Jesus went out to the mount of Olives.
2. But he came again early into-the temple, and all the people came unto him.	2. But very early in the morning Jesus came again into the temple, and all the people came; and having sat down he taught them.
3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman unto him, taken in sin; and, setting her in the midst,	3. And the chief priests and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery; and, having set her in the midst,
4. The priests say unto him, tempting him, that they might have an accusation against him, Teacher, this woman was taken committing adultery, in the very act:	4. They spoke, tempting him, Teacher, we found this one committing adultery, in the very act:
5. Now Moses, in the law, gave orders to stone such: but what dost thou say now?	5. And in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: What dost thou say concerning her?
6. But Jesus, having stooped down, wrote with his finger upon the ground.	6. But this they spoke tempting him, that they might find an accusation against him: but he, knowing it, stooped down, (Al. bowed down,) and wrote with his finger upon the ground, seeming as if he did not hear. (Al. pretending.)
7. But as they continued asking he lifted up himself, and said unto them, Let him who is without sin among you first cast a stone at her.	7. But as they continued asking him, having looked up, he saith, Let him who is without sin among you, first cast stone at her.
8. And stooping down again, he wrote with his finger upon the ground.	8. And stooping down again, he wrote with his finger upon the ground (the sins of every one of them.)
9. And each of the Jews went out, beginning from the oldest, so that all went out: and he was left alone, the woman being in the midst.	9. And each one of them went out, (Al. and hearing these things they departed one by one,) beginning from the oldest; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman in the midst of them.
10. And Jesus lifting up himself, said to the woman, Where are they? Hath no one condemned thee?	10. Jesus therefore looking up, saw her, and said, Woman, where are thy accusers? Hath no one condemned thee?
11. Then she said unto him, No one, sir. Then he said, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and from this time sin no more.	11. Then she said, No one, sir. And Jesus said, Neither will I judge thee; go away, and henceforth sin no more.

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Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John 7:53

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