This story may not have been part of the original text of the Gospel because it is not found in many ancient copies of the Gospel before the sixth century, nor do early commentators mention it. However, it is important to note that its exclusion from the Gospel does not necessarily mean it is untrue. The message suggests that the document in question has been well-maintained since its inception and aligns with Jesus' known personality. While it can be considered truthful, current data indicates that it was most likely not included in the original text.

The religious leaders interrupted Jesus' teaching and presented a challenging question to him, creating a seemingly impossible situation. The scribes and Pharisees presented a problem: a woman had committed adultery, and according to Mosaic law, she deserved the death penalty. The law stated that the man and woman involved in an adulterous affair should be put to death (Lev 20:10). The Pharisees asked for Jesus' opinion, but he didn't answer and instead bent down to write something on the ground using his finger. This is the only instance regarding Jesus' writing. In Jewish law, the witnesses must be the ones to start the stoning in capital punishment cases. One by one, the accusers departed, beginning with the older ones. Eventually, the woman was the sole person remaining. The woman had been set up as bait by her accusers, who were more interested in destroying Jesus than saving her. His rebuke had stopped them from convicting her. Jesus did not say she was innocent but told her to stop leading a sinful life.

John did not specify the exact time during Jesus' visit to Jerusalem when this occurred, but it was likely shortly after the Feast of Tabernacles while Jesus was still in the city. This event marks the introduction of the second "I am" statement by Jesus, where he declares himself as the light of the world. The Pharisees disputed Jesus' assertions, arguing that his testimony about himself was biased and thus inadmissible in court. Jesus explained that the Pharisees could not decide whether his testimony was true because they were using the wrong standards to judge him. He referred to the legal rule that required two witnesses to establish the truth of a claim (Deut 17:6) and that he and his Father would be the two qualified witnesses.

In Eastern culture, it is considered an insult to a man's legitimacy if his paternity is questioned. Jesus was referring to his relationship with God, but the Pharisees hesitated to accept how closely he was connected to God. Jesus argued that knowing him was necessary to know God the Father. Jesus would not be arrested or killed until his hour arrived.

Unbelief isn't just the refusal to accept a particular fact but also a rejection of God's revelation through Christ. His opponents not only denied his statements but also ultimately rejected him as a person. Jesus refers to spiritual freedom from sin and its consequences. However, the Jews thought he was speaking of political freedom. They claim to have always been free, forgetting the instances of slavery in their history, including Egypt, the Judges era, the Babylonian exile, and the current Roman rule. Being Abraham's descendants, they believed themselves immune to any spiritual harm.

Jesus' response emphasized the spiritual dimension of freedom. A slave is not secure because he has no family ties that come with an obligation to protect him. On the other hand, a son belongs permanently to his family and enjoys all the privileges of being part of it. Jesus, the Son, can give this freedom. Our hope should not be pinned on being a descendant of Abraham but on what Christ has done. Abraham was very different from his descendants, who were inclined towards violence and refused to accept divine guidance. Their misguided beliefs were a result of being misled by Satan.