Maurice Robinson, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“The Woman taken in Adultery: A Pastoral/ Congregational Quandary.”

Lecture held at the Lanier Theological Library, May 20, 2022

The overwhelming majority of Johannine commentators and New Testament textual critics consider the narrative of the woman taken in adultery (the pericope adulterae or PA, Jn 7:53-8:11) to be pseudepigraphical in the sense that it is (a) considered non-Johannine, and (b) is either a literary creation or an interpolation from some unknown gospel-type work. Standing alone, the PA might parallel similar fragmentary non-biblical pericopes such as those appearing in the Gospel of Peter, P.Oxy. 840 or P.Egerton 2.

The general scholarly consensus is not merely a liberal point of view, but also reflects the prevailing view within the evangelical community, and even within some fundamentalist circles. Issues involved concern a putative narrative historicity, fabrication as a skilled literary creation, or even Johannine originality, with most scholars appearing to maintain a historical core for the passage.

Since the passage appears in virtually every translation of the New Testament (usually with footnotes or brackets that might question Johannine authenticity), the problem for the pastor is how to deal with this pericope in exegesis, preaching and application; the problem for congregants is how they might understand this passage in relation to its presence in their Bibles along with questions raised both in translational notes and commentaries, as well as in reaction to how it is presented in pastoral exposition. The basic question is whether the passage even should be utilized, and if so, then what to do with its presentation in practical and spiritual terms.