First Stone Mean
It’s an idiom that means “first to blame or criticize”. This phrase is used when people are quick to point out the faults of others. The phrase is derived from the New Testament passage where Jesus defends an adulteress against those who would stone her to death (John 8:7).
The Bible teaches that it is wrong to accuse or punish someone without a clear reason. This is especially true when a person has sinned against another or has broken the law. It is also a sin to be quick to judge, swayed by emotions or personal feelings.
In John 8, the Pharisees brought a woman they suspected of being involved in adultery before Jesus, asking him if she should be stoned to death as was required by the Law. They were using this as a way to trap Jesus in order to make him say something they could use against him.
When they continued to question him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” This rebuke has become the infamous first stone idiom.
Jesus was not in the habit of rebuking with a calm tone, but in this instance, he was. He bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger, then he straightened up again and said to them, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first one to throw a stone at her.”
There are many theories about what he was writing or drawing in the dust. Some think that he was writing the sins of the people in front of him, while others believe that he was writing some or all of the Ten Commandments on the ground.
What Does First Stone Mean?
But whether it was just a coincidence or not, this is the only example in the entire Bible of Jesus actually stepping out of his comfort zone and doing something that no one else has ever done. It is an example of Jesus acting out the words from the prophet Jeremiah that he quoted in John 7:48.
The woman was caught in the act of adultery, and it was a capital offense according to the Law. The accused woman was to be stoned to death, which had become a common form of execution throughout the ancient world.
It’s easy to see why these people would try to sway Jesus into a negative response, but it is important to remember that they were not following the Law of Moses.
What’s more, they were not in the habit of bringing a man with them when they caught a woman guilty of a crime. This meant that the accusers had to be the ones to initiate the stoning process, which was a very harsh penalty.
Eventually, after this incident, the Pharisees left and the woman was freed from their clutches. This was a great opportunity for Jesus to show his audience that they were not in the business of judging, but rather to help them understand how they should be living their lives.
The phrase “first stone” has become synonymous with the idea of judgment and condemnation. It refers to the story of the woman caught in adultery in the Gospel of John, in which a group of men bring the woman to Jesus, seeking to trap him by asking if they should stone her as the law demands. Jesus famously responds, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” The men, realizing their own flaws and sins, drop their stones and walk away.
This story has become a powerful reminder to Christians and non-Christians alike of the dangers of judgment and the importance of empathy and forgiveness. It is a lesson that has become especially relevant in today’s society, where it is all too easy to quickly judge and condemn others based on their beliefs, actions, or even their appearance.
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.