In the Law Moses commanded us to stone: This suggests the woman was engaged or married (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:23–24). The law also indicates that the man who sinned with her must die as well. But these Jewish religious leaders ignored that part of the law.
They could have dealt with the situation privately to avoid shaming her. But their real intention was to condemn Jesus instead. They asked him, So what do you say?
Would he neglect the law since he had a reputation for mercy? Or would he ignore the woman’s tragedy?