The Story of Yeshua and the Adulterous Woman: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Trap

The Adulterous Woman--Christ Writing upon the Ground by James Tissot from the Brooklyn Museum

The story of Yeshua and the adulterous woman has been used by mainstream Christians to “prove” that the Torah is done away with. This conclusion comes from a lack of understanding of what YHWH’s instructions are on the matter. At face value, it would appear that Yeshua is going against the Torah, his Father’s instructions, but that is not the case, as we will see. If Christians started in Genesis (where the Bible begins, not Matthew), then they would be able to see with clearer eyes what exactly is going on. So, let us read about the woman “caught” in adultery and begin to peel back the layers of what is truly happening. 

The Context and Set-Up

“And at dawn He came again into the Set-apart Place, and all the people were coming to Him. And having sat down, He was teaching them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And having set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. And in the Torah Mosheh (Moses) commanded us that such should be stoned. What then do You say? And this they said, trying Him, so that they might accuse Him. But יהושע, bending down, wrote on the ground with the finger, as though He did not hear.” (John 8:2-6)

Right from the beginning, something doesn’t sound right. Can you guess what it is? The Pharisees said they caught the women in the VERY act of committing adultery. If so, then where is the man with whom she was sinning with? Surely, he’s not running out in the streets naked; if he were, he would be quite easy to identify and bring to Yeshua as well. But the man is not present and isn’t even mentioned, why? Because he never existed, this is a rouse set up by the Pharisees, testing Yeshua’s knowledge of the Torah. And what does the Torah say regarding adultery?

“And a man who commits adultery with the wife of another man, who commits adultery with the wife of his neighbour: the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:10) 

Both perpetrators must be put to death, not just the woman. Again, supposedly, she was caught in the very act, and yet the man is nowhere to be seen. There is another issue here: why did the Pharisees bring Yeshua the “adulterous” woman? He was not a judge or acting as a priest, and the Torah states that it was up to the judges and priests to declare whether or not the accused were guilty or not. 

“One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation…” (Deuteronomy 19: 15-18) 

I will use the rest of verse 18 here in a minute, but as you can see, it was up to the priests and the judges, and at that time, Yeshua was neither of those. Are you starting to see how this whole ordeal reeks of a setup? To be fair, John did tell us that the Pharisees were testing Yeshua and hoping to find something to accuse him with. They knew exactly what they were doing and orchestrated the whole fiasco. Somewhere, I can hear “It’s a trap!” Indeed, it was, and what was Yeshua writing with his finger? I like to think he was writing the instructions on what to do, like Deuteronomy 17 and 19. 

Yeshua Sees Through the Trap

“But as they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” And bending down again, He wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, being reproved by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the older ones until the last. And יהושע was left alone, and the woman standing in the middle. And יהושע, straightening up and seeing no one but the woman, said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Did no one condemn you?” And she said, “No one, Master.” And יהושע said to her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:7-11)

So what did Yeshua mean when he said let the one without sin throw the first stone? Well, for starters, those who witnessed the transgression had the right to throw the first stone. 

“At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is to die be put to death. He is not put to death by the mouth of one witness. “The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people last. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.” (Deuteronomy 17:6-7) 

Ah, so Yeshua put the Pharisees on the spot now, he knew they didn’t witness the adultery take place. They sinned by not bringing the accused to the right people for judgment and by bearing false witness. You may say, “Well, they could have thrown the stones anyway.” They could have if they wanted to die.

“…and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you.” (Deuteronomy 19: 18-19) 

So, you see, had the Pharisees thrown a stone, they would have been signing their own death warrant. Noticed too that the eldest were the first to disperse because they knew the jig was up, Yeshua had seen through the deception. Then, after the mob had left, Yeshua asked the woman where are your accusers, she had no legitimate witnesses. Remember, on the testimony of two to three witnesses, but lo and behold, there was nothing to witness. The last thing the Messiah tells her is quite interesting, go and sin no more. What sin had she committed? Well, not adultery, if she had, then the Pharisees would have taken her before the judges and the priests, even after testing Yeshua. So, what was her sin? Possibly, her willingness to participate in the setup, I imagine the conversation between her and the Pharisees went a little like this, “Hey, we're going to use you to trick this guy calling himself the Messiah. Don’t worry, we’re not really going to stone you, we just want him to mess up so we can properly accuse him.” And had Yeshua made the wrong move, well, there would have been a group of people to bear witness against him. It was rather foolish on the Pharisees' part, for how could they trip up the walking, talking Torah? 

Proper Research Brings Understanding  

I hope this brought a new understanding of what exactly went on with the “adulterous” woman. I know you may have been wondering what it was all about, or maybe even some of your Christian friends and family members challenged you on the matter. Well, now you can stand firm and give a proper answer to their inquiry. Continue to test all things, including this, and may the Ruach Hakodesh lead you into all truth. 

P.S.

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Biblical Principles for a Strong and Lasting Marriage

 

A Biblical marriage is one of the most beautiful commitments someone can be a part of or witness. Sadly, however, even within the body, marriages are being defiled, and divorce rates continue to rise. Before my wife and I got married, we had to attend marriage counseling, maybe because we were 18, but it was well worth it. And while I don’t remember everything, one concept has stayed with me. Elohim is in the middle, and the husband and wife are on opposite sides of Him. As the two grow closer to Elohim, the closer they grow to each other. I know my wife and I can both attest to that principle, and it's one I believe every couple should know about. It is just as important to know what the Bible says about marriage and how both members should act. 

The First Marriage 

“And the rib which יהוה Elohim had taken from the man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And the man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one is called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.” For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:22-24)

From here, we can gather two very important aspects of marriage: first, it is a union between a man and a woman, and the two become one flesh. Becoming one flesh is not just a physical act but is also very spiritual. The two become one in spirit. If you have seen my wife, then you have seen me and vice versa. This is supported by the Messiah himself in the book of Mark.

“However, from the beginning of the creation, Elohim ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,’ so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. “Therefore what Elohim has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mark 10:6-9)

How Special a Wife Is 

Further along in Proverbs, we men learn how truly special it is to find a wife who is dedicated to serving YHWH.

“A capable wife is the crown of her husband, But one causing shame is like rottenness in his bones.” (Proverbs 12:4)

“Who does find a capable wife? For she is worth far more than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)

Having such a wife is a gift from the Father.

“He who has found a wife has found good, And receives favor from יהוה.” (Proverbs 18:22)

“Houses and riches are the inheritance from fathers, But an understanding wife is from יהוה.” (Proverbs 19:14) 

It might seem obvious how husbands should treat their wives, especially after learning that they are a gift from the Father. But the Bible actually gives us detailed instructions for how husbands should be towards their wives. 

How Husbands Should Treat Their Wives

“Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it, in order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, in order to present it to Himself a splendid assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any of this sort, but that it might be set-apart and blameless. In this way husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but feeds and cherishes it, as also the Master does the assembly. Because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This secret is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly. However, you too, everyone, let each one love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she fears her husband.” (Ephesians 5:25-33)

Husbands and those soon to be in marriage, we are the representation of the Messiah, and our wives represent the church (Israel). We are to love our spouse just as Yeshua loves us (the church, the body), we must take care of her like we take care of our own bodies. Men, stop talking ill of your wives or treating them like second-rate citizens; your job is to nourish, instruct, and protect. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard other husbands speak of their wives in unpleasant ways. Enough is enough, man up and do your job. 

How Wives Should Treat Their Husbands

For the wives, as you just read, you are to respect your husbands, and there are more instructions for you all as well.

“Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Master. Because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Messiah is head of the assembly, and He is Savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Messiah, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every respect.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Wives and those soon to be, you are to be submissive to your husbands, realizing that he is the head just like Yeshua is the head of the body. I know that may sound old-fashioned or even offensive to say nowadays, but that’s how Elohim wants it done. The world says that wives should be strong and independent, equal to their husbands. I don’t disagree that wives should be strong, but the Bible is very clear that you should be submissive. 

Do Not Marry Unbelievers 

Sisters of the body should not be marrying Gentiles (those outside the body of Israel). The same applies to the brothers as well.

“Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness? ” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Let’s break that down. What is righteousness?

“For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of the Torah shall be declared right.” (Romans 2:13)

“So that the Torah truly is set-apart, and the command set-apart, and righteous, and good.” (Romans 7:12)

Simple enough, righteousness has to do with obeying the Torah, which is righteous. Then what do you think lawlessness is?

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) NIV

“Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) The Scriptures 2009 

My unmarried brothers and sisters do not marry someone who does not obey the Torah, I beseech you. Marrying an unbeliever will only bring about heartache; save yourselves from such pain. But what about those who are already in such a marriage? Paul gave us some advice. Notice he makes it a point to let us know that he, not Elohim, has given this instruction.

“And to the rest I say, not the Master: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she thinks well to live with him, let him not send her away. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he thinks well to live with her, let her not send him away. For the unbelieving husband has been set-apart in the wife, and the unbelieving wife has been set-apart in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are set-apart. And, if the unbelieving one separates, let him separate himself. A brother or a sister has not been enslaved in such matters. But Elohim has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you shall save your wife?” (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)

This is my interpretation of what Paul said, but I could be wrong. This is where testing all things comes into play. I believe Paul is saying that if your unbelieving spouse still wants to be married, then through you, your spouse may hear the truth and repent. Likewise, your children may learn the truth, but should the unbelieving spouse decide to leave, then let it be. For there was no guarantee that they would convert anyhow. 

Do Not Deny One Another

Early in that chapter, Paul wrote something very interesting involving sexual relations within marriage. 

“But because of whoring, let each one have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife what is her due, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with agreement for a time, to give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And come together again so that Satan does not try you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:2-5)

According to this, husbands do not deny your wives and wives do not deny your husbands, when either one of you wants to have relations, then let it be. The exception to this rule is if you both agree to abstain for a time to dedicate yourselves to prayer. I wonder how many marriages practice this? If I had to guess, not many but it is one I believe every couple should exercise. 

Final Words

Before concluding, I ask that all my brothers and sisters to remember this:

“Let marriage be respected by all, and the bed be undefiled. But Elohim shall judge those who whore, and adulterers.” (Hebrews 13:4)

“Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as is proper in the Master. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.” (Colossians 3:18-19)

Continue to test all things, including this, and may the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) guide you into all truth. 

P.S.

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Acts 15: The Truth Behind the Claims of Torah Abolishment

 

Acts 15 is often used by Christians as a tool to show that the Torah was done away with or to prove that dispensationalism is true. But are there any truths to their claims? As we take a closer look at Acts 15, we will see that such claims are scripturally bankrupt and only come from a misunderstanding of the scriptures. This will not be an exhaustive explanation of Acts 15, but a pocket guide to understanding what is said in the chapter. My mission is to inform and inspire you to do the research yourself. Doing this will strengthen your beliefs. 

What’s Necessary to First Enter the Kingdom?

At the beginning of the chapter, we learn that certain men came from Judea and told the young believers they needed to be circumcised to be saved.

“And certain men came down from Yehuḏah (Judea) and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the practice of Mosheh, you are unable to be saved.” (Acts 15:1) 

This is no different than the Preachers nowadays saying you must be baptized to be saved, or you need to be able to speak in tongues. Circumcision, baptisms, and speaking in tongues are all great things, but salvation is available to all so long as they abide in the Messiah. According to the Talmud, no one may enter Israel unless they are first circumcised. This has never been the case, but was added by men. 

“When a convert enters the congregation of Israel, he is obligated to undergo circumcision first. If he had been circumcised while he was a gentile, it is necessary to extract the blood of the covenant on the day that he converts.” (Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 13:1-4)

Talmud vs Torah

Next, we read what some of the Pharisees, who believed in Yeshua, had to say about what the new in faith should do. 

“But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5)

After this, a great debate took place between those who wanted the new in the faith to keep the Talmud and those who said they should keep the Torah. 

“And the emissaries and elders came together to look into this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Kĕpha (Peter) rose up and said to them, “Men, brothers, you know that a good while ago Elohim chose among us, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe. “And Elohim, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Set-apart Spirit, as also to us, and made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by belief. Now then, why do you try Elohim by putting a yoke on the neck of the taught ones which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” But through the favor of the Master יהושע Messiah we trust to be saved, in the same way as they.” (Acts 15:6-11)

Upon reading this, Christians will often say, “See, Peter said the Law was a yoke no one could bear.” Well, instead of relying on our own understanding, let's read how the Bible describes the Law.

“For this command which I am commanding you today, it is not too hard for you, nor is it far off. “It is not in the heavens, to say, ‘Who shall ascend into the heavens for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, to say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ ” “For the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart – to do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

“For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy,” (1 John 5:3)

Furthermore, the Torah is described as liberating and a delight in other passages in the Bible. (Read my article “Understanding the Torah - A Biblical Perspective on Living a Life Pleasing to Yah” for more information.) Even Yeshua, who only spoke the words of His Father, said that his yoke was light.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your beings “For My yoke is gentle and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

What is this yoke that the Messiah talks about? 

“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.” (John 14:15)

As we can see, this aligns perfectly with other scriptures; it's amazing how well the Bible comes together if you let it speak for itself. Not letting man's doctrine, that unbearable yoke, get in the way of the truth, speaking of which, let’s see what the Messiah had to say about man's doctrines.

“Then יהושע spoke to the crowds and to His taught ones, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Mosheh (Moses). Therefore, whatever they say to you to guard, guard and do. But do not do according to their works, for they say, and do not do. “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but with their finger they do not wish to move them.” (Matthew 23: 1-4)

The Messiah said the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, which means they read the Torah out loud during Sabbath to the congregation. During this time, Yeshua tells his followers to obey all that they say. Why? Because keeping the Torah is how we show we love Elohim! He goes on to say, though, do not follow their ways. Do not follow their Talmud (Man doctrine); they preach the Torah but follow the Talmud. It is from man's doctrines that we get heavy burdens that no one can keep, not the instructions of YHWH. 

James’s (Jacob’s) Ruling on the Matter

At the end of the meeting, James concluded the matter. 

“Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the nations who are turning to Elohim, but that we write to them to abstain from the defilements of idols, and from whoring, and from what is strangled, and from blood” (Acts 15:19-20)

Again, Christians will proclaim, “See, we only have to keep these four things. The Law was done away with.” So you can go murder someone, commit adultery, practice witchcraft, forsake the wearing of Tzitzits, and worship other gods? That is just absurd! Not to mention that these four commandments come from the Torah. 

Abstain from things polluted by idols:

“Guard what I command you today. See, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Kena‛anite (Canaanites) and the Ḥittite and the Perizzite and the Ḥiwwite and the Yeḇusite (Jebusites). “Guard yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. “But break down their slaughter-places, and smash their pillars, and cut down their Ashĕrim (Asherim) – for you do not bow yourselves to another mighty one, for יהוה, whose Name is jealous, is a jealous Ěl – lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they whore after their mighty ones, and slaughter to their mighty ones, and one of them invites you and you eat of his slaughterings, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters whore after their mighty ones, and make your sons whore after their mighty ones.” (Exodus 34:11-16)

Most of the commandments on sexual immorality can be found in chapter 18 of Leviticus. Abstaining from eating food that was strangled, and the eating of blood go hand in hand with each other. If an animal were strangled, it would have been almost impossible to properly drain the animal of its blood. It would thicken and seep into the muscle and harden. 

“An everlasting law throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you do not eat any fat or any blood.” (Leviticus 3:17)

Why these four, though? During the time, pagans would slaughter animals to idols, eat the meat of it, drink its blood, and then have relations with the temple prostitutes. All of these were done to worship a false god, so it makes sense that the council would make it a point for the new in the faith to stop worshiping idols. This can be summed up with this one commandment.

“you do not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, יהוה your Elohim am a jealous Ěl ...” (Exodus 20:5)

Start with a Few and Continue to Add

But what about the rest of the Torah? Well, as James said, they would learn during Sabbath when Moses is read.

“For from ancient generations Mosheh (Moses) has, in every city, those proclaiming him – being read in the congregations every Sabbath.” (Acts 15:21)

Those who are new in Messiah cannot be expected to learn and follow the whole Torah in one day. It is a process and takes time to grow in the faith, just like infants, they need milk to grow strong, and then they will be ready for solid food. 

“as newborn babes, desire the unadulterated milk of the Word, in order that you grow by it, if indeed you have tasted that the Master is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3)

We shouldn’t stop at keeping these four commandments; we need to continue to grow, and in doing so, keep even more of the Torah. Those who are infants in the faith cannot be expected to adhere to the Torah like those of spiritual adulthood.

“And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual ones but as to fleshly, as to babes in Messiah. I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is envy, and strife, and divisions among you, are you not fleshly and walking according to man?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

The author of Hebrews (Most likely Paul) tells us that we need to grow to the point of being teachers, skilled in the word of righteousness, and trained in distinguishing good from evil, which can only be known through Torah. 

“For indeed, although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first elements of the Words of Elohim. And you have become such as need milk and not solid food. For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature whose senses have been trained by practice to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Grow into Spiritual Adults 

In summary, being circumcised will not save you, but it is needed for obedience. The four commandments given to the new in faith were a starting point and focused on stopping the worship of idols, and the infants in Messiah would learn the Torah every Sabbath when Moses is read. Let Acts 15 serve as an excellent model for how we should raise newborns in the faith, with a little of the Torah every Sabbath. As the infants grow in the spirit, so too will they grow in obedience to YHWH. 

I hope this helps shed some light and understanding on Acts 15. I ask that you test all things, including this. And may the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) guide you into all truth.

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.