Season 2: Episode 35
The Mysterious Origins of a Bible Story: Casting the First Stone
Date Aired: 10/02/2023
For the first four centuries of Christianity, the famous story of the “woman taken in adultery” was nowhere to be found in the New Testament. In this moving tale, Jesus forgives a woman condemned for committing adultery and admonishes her accusers: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” But why wasn’t the story included in the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament? Was it a late addition to the gospels? Or was it an ancient story suppressed by church fathers? Was “death by stoning” really a punishment in first-century Judaea?
Listen to the episode on the Biblical Time Machine website or wherever you get your podcasts.
Disclaimer: The Society of Biblical Literature is not responsible for the content of this podcast. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of the Society of Biblical Literature, its members, or its staff.
