first stone

To cast the first stone, or to be quick to point out the faults of others, is a common idiom and proverb. It is based on a quote from the Bible (John 8:7): “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.”

The saying has long been a source of debate and misunderstanding, with scholars disagreeing over its origins. Jennifer Knust, a professor of Religious Studies at Duke University and the co-author, with Sweden-based author Tommy Wasserman, of To Cast the first stone: The Transmission of a Gospel Story, traces its history across the centuries and believes it belongs fully within the Christian tradition.

This phrasing has been a popular one for centuries, with historical literature dating back to the 1300s confirming its relatability to a wide swathe of English speakers. The underlying meaning is that people should not be quick to attack others, but rather be careful about their criticism and judgment.

What does throwing the first stone mean?

In the New Testament, Jesus was in the temple courts when a group of teachers of the law and Pharisees brought a woman they believed had committed adultery to test Him. They questioned him about the law and asked if she should be stoned to death as required by that law.

After he answered them, the Pharisees said to him: “Let her be stoned.” He replied, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” This was an eloquent and judicious move on His part. The Pharisees had hoped to accuse him of breaking the Law of Moses, but he slammed down their attempts at slander.

Interestingly, this phrase was also used in a similar incident in the book of Luke, when some men came to Jesus with a woman they suspected had committed adultery and were asking him if she should be stoned. Jesus told them to “Let him who is without sin cast first the stone.”

There’s no doubt that these men were entrapped by this episode in John 8. The story is recorded in the Gospel of John and was likely an actual event from Jesus’ time. The scribes and Pharisees were jealous of his popularity, and they knew that this mob would have no problem stoning a woman to death as long as they could claim to be defending the Old Testament law.

When they gathered in front of Jesus, with stones ready to smite the woman, she stood before him and pleaded for help. She feared the crowd would execute her because of her sin.

Then, in a very shrewd move, Jesus responded with what has become immortal words: “Let him who is without sin cast a first stone.” In this way, He rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, but spared the woman.

The scribes and Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus with their questions, but He rebuked them with his sharp wit and unyielding compassion. In doing so, He rewrote the laws of the law and laid them down in a new way. The result was a story that is still cited in Christian literature, and it shows how God’s Word has a way of putting people on the right track to justice.

The story of the first stone teaches us that before we can judge others, we must first examine ourselves. We all have our own flaws and shortcomings, and it is easy to point fingers and blame others for their mistakes. But when we take a step back and reflect on our own lives, we may find that we are not as perfect as we thought we were. We may have made mistakes or hurt others without realizing it. This self-reflection allows us to approach others with humility and compassion, rather than with judgment and condemnation.

The first stone also reminds us that forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing and reconciliation. Jesus does not condemn the woman caught in adultery, but instead offers her forgiveness and a chance to start anew. This act of mercy and grace serves as a model for us to follow in our own lives. When we forgive others, we release ourselves from the burden of anger and bitterness and allow for the possibility of reconciliation and healing.