Become New with John Ortberg 39. What Jesus Meant by Cast the First Stone
Mar 20, 2026
A look at how condemnation operates in public and online life and why people seek someone to blame. A comparison between ancient scapegoating rituals and the story of the woman caught in adultery. A close reading of Jesus’ response that interrupts mob justice and creates space for reflection. An invitation to stop throwing metaphorical stones and allow room for mercy without excusing wrongdoing.
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A Pause Turned Into A Stone
- John Ortberg recounts a domestic moment where a long pause and his evasive response became a small 'stone' in his marriage.
- He describes admitting deceitfulness, returning to Nancy to confess, and being called out to 'put down the stone.'
Scapegoating Explains Mob Violence
- René Girard's scapegoating insight shows human mobs relieve communal crisis by blaming and violently expelling a scapegoat.
- Ortberg uses the Apollonius-of-Tyana story where a beggar is stoned to stop a plague as a vivid example of scapegoating dynamics.
Jesus Interrupts Scapegoating
- In John 8 Jesus interrupts the cultural pattern of scapegoating by refusing to condone public stoning and exposing the accusers' hearts.
- Ortberg contrasts the dehumanizing trap set by scribes with Jesus bending to write and inviting reflection, leading accusers to leave.
