The question
Read and compare
Read John 7:45-8:12 in the KJB. Look at the ESV notice and footnote. Then read the linked research by Jennifer Knust and Tommy Wasserman.
Evidence
Read the whole story
The KJB places this story at John 7:53-8:11. Jesus shows mercy to a woman accused of adultery: being unfaithful in marriage. He also tells her to leave her sin. Read the whole scene, including that last command.
Read John 8 in the KJB →Evidence
Some copies leave it out or put it elsewhere
The ESV publisher notes that early copies lack this passage. Other copies put it in different places. This raises a question about where it first belonged. The note lets readers see the issue and check it.
Read the note about the old copies →Evidence
An early writer’s explanation
Augustine thought some people removed the story because they feared it would excuse adultery. Knust and Wasserman discuss his view. His words show an old dispute and how he understood it. They do not prove why every earlier copy left the story out.
Read the research introduction and references →The strongest challenge
Does long use by Christians prove that John wrote the story here? No. Knowing a story and knowing where it first appeared are different things. Early copies that omit it or place it elsewhere remain strong challenges.
What the evidence supports—and what remains open
We keep the passage in the KJB. The evidence shows that the story has an old history, but its place in John is disputed. We cannot claim that every missing copy proves someone tried to hide a Bible teaching.
Follow the evidence
What does the evidence show?
No score and no forced answer. Use the sources above to weigh the claim.
- Check the source. Read the linked passage or record in context. Note its edition, date and language where relevant.
- Test the explanation. Compare the strongest challenge with what the source actually shows. Which point does it support, and which point needs more evidence?
- Choose your next step. Record the question you still need answered below, then follow a source or the next related study.
Your study notebook
What do you think—and what is still unclear?
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