The account of the adulterous woman in the Gospel according to John[1] most likely was not originally part of the traditions of the Johannine communities. While this episode is translated in the Vulgate, is commented on by Ambrose, Augustine and Jerome, and appears in an important manuscript of the Western tradition (Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis), it is not included in ancient manuscripts of the fourth Gospel, in the Peshitta, the Syriac version of the New Testament or the Coptic Bohairic version. Some Church Fathers (Origen, Cyprian, Chrysostom) make no reference to this passage. Moreover, the style of the Greek is not that which characterizes the Gospel according to John. A contextual reading may suggest reasons why the account of the adulteress occupies its present place in the fourth Gospel. This article is reserved for paid subscribers. Please subscribe to continue reading this article
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