sin

The Gospel According to John 8:1–11 (NABRE) highlights sin and consequence in the account of the woman taken in adultery. The Jewish leaders have found a sinful woman whom they are using as a trap for Jesus. He can either endorse carrying out the law and get in trouble with the Romans or go against Mosaic law and lose credibility. At issue is how Jesus will approach handling sin.

The language here shows some of the keys to Jesus’ response. For the Jews, sin was a legal act, a violation of law that required punishment. The Greek word ἁμαρτάνω (hamartano), however, means “I miss the mark.” At its root, this concept refers to an arrow or thrown spear missing its target. In a broader sense, the concept refers to any failure to fulfill a purpose or intention and ultimately also refers to doing wrong or erring. It is not a legal failure so much as a failed execution.

By letting the woman go and urging her to do better in the future, Jesus shifts the conversation of sin away from punishment and toward learning to better carry out the task of living well. The Christian life is something that requires perseverance and practice, and Jesus is here not to judge us when we fail but to help us to try again and to learn to do better.

related topics: conscience; repentance; salvation

you also may like our study of the Letter to the Hebrews (digital only)
Many Christians struggle to understand one of the central mysteries of our faith: how Jesus can be both human and divine at the same time. The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation, an 18-lesson Catholic Bible study with an imprimatur, offers an in-depth look at the way in which Jesus’ dual nature allows for the salvation of humanity. The Letter to the Hebrews is designed to provide information that will encourage Christians to remain faithful. Click here to view a sample of the first lesson.

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