Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery

oil on panel (84 × 65 cm) — 1644 The National Gallery, London

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to John 8:3

A group of scribes and Pharisees bring a woman before Jesus. She has been caught in adultery. According to the Law of Moses, the woman has to be stoned. The scribes believe that Jesus is too softhearted for such a cruel punishment, so they challenge him for his opinion. He responds with "he who is without sin, cast the first stone".

Rembrandt depicts Jesus as the tallest figure in the group, a trick to emphasize his moral superiority.

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