Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 61:2 (Jun 2018)
Article: The Pericope of the Woman Caught in Adultery: An Inspired Text Inserted into an Inspired Text?
Author: Scott J. Kaczorowski

JETS 61:2 (June 2018) p. 321

The Pericope of the Woman Caught in Adultery:
An Inspired Text Inserted into an Inspired Text?

Scott J. Kaczorowski*

* Scott Kaczorowski is the Doctrinal Editor for Thistlebend Ministries and an independent researcher residing at 17544 Gates Landing Drive, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023. He can be contacted at scott.kaczorowski@aol.com.

Abstract: The textual evidence concerning the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery is examined. The conclusion is reached that it is not original to John's gospel. The historicity and canonicity of the account is then examined with the suggestion offered that the account may be historical and may even be an example of an inspired text inserted into an inspired text. If this conclusion is true, it opens the door to the account being used in the devotional, doctrinal, and doxological life of the church.

Key words: John 7:53–8:11, Pericope adulterae (canonicity of, textual history of), canonicity, textual criticism, Gospel of John, woman taken in adultery, textual criticism of Gospel of John

Awkwardly nestled into the narrative context of the Gospel of John, the reader of many modern Bible versions comes across a story about Jesus and a woman who was caught in adultery. This particular story presents interesting textual questions (such as what its origin is and how it ended up in John’s Gospel1). But it also represents significant pastoral challenges because, although it almost certainly does not belong in John’s Gospel,2 it still remains especially precious to many in the church today. Some would even say, “This is my favorite story about Jesus.”3 This paper will explore the textual evidence surrounding the pericope, address the question of the historicity and authenticity of the story, and examine the question of the canonicity of the passage.

JETS 61:2 (June 2018) p. 322

I. THE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

Both the external evidence and the internal evidence point away from the original manuscript of John containing this pericope. A cursory glance at each reveals why this so.

1. The external evidence. The external evidence that the pericope reflects an interpolation4 may be summarized as follows:

(1) Our earliest evidence of John’s Gospel (the papyri P⁶⁶ and P⁷⁵) conspicuously lacks the sto...