What did Moses' law say should be done to a woman taken in adultery?
Under Moses' law, a woman taken in adultery was to be stoned; the Law commanded that such a person be put to death. The scribes and Pharisees cited this commandment to Jesus, noting the woman had been caught in the very act, not by hearsay or rumor.
Les explains that the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery before Jesus and set her in the midst. They said she was taken in adultery, in the very act, so it was proof positive, not hearsay or rumor. They reminded Him that Moses in the law commanded such a person to be stoned, and Les affirms that is exactly what the law said: they were to be put to death. They asked, “But what sayest thou?” to tempt Him so they might accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground as though He did not hear them. When they kept prodding Him, He lifted Himself up and said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?