John 8:5

Stoned. The law of Moses prescribed death for adultery when a married woman was involved, but did not specify the manner of death. According to the Mishnah death in these cases was inflicted by strangulation (Sanhedrin 11.1, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 558). The law prescribed death by stoning when a betrothed woman was involved (Deut. 22:23, 24). This is also the rule of the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 7. 4, 9, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, pp. 359, 451 ,452). It seems likely, therefore, that the case in question was one of a betrothed woman.

What sayest thou? In the Greek the word “thou” is in the emphatic position. Jesus is set over against Moses. The Pharisees were more concerned with entrapping Jesus than with punishing the woman. They felt that no matter what answer Jesus gave they could involve Him in condemnation. They doubtless knew of His willingness to forgive, and perhaps expected that He would recommend leniency. In this case they could charge Him with setting aside the law. If He recommended carrying out the penalty, they could charge Him with usurping the authority of Rome, which at that time reserved jurisdiction in capital cases.