“Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.”
My Notes
What Does Deuteronomy 22:24 Mean?
"Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you." This law addresses consensual adultery within a city — distinguished from rape by the assumption that a woman in a populated area could cry out for help. Both parties face the same punishment: death by stoning. The man is condemned for violating another man's wife; the woman is condemned for not resisting.
The subsequent verses (v. 25-27) handle a different scenario: if the encounter happens in the field (isolated), only the man is punished, because the woman may have cried out with no one to hear. The law distinguishes between situations where consent is assumed (city, help available) and where coercion is assumed (field, no help available).
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does this law's equal treatment of men and women challenge assumptions about ancient Israelite society?
- 2.What does the city/field distinction teach about how carefully circumstances should be evaluated in justice?
- 3.Why does God emphasize communal responsibility ('put away evil from among you') in sexual ethics?
- 4.How does your community handle the tension between grace and accountability for sexual sin?
Devotional
Both. Not just the man. Both. In ancient law codes, this was revolutionary. Most surrounding cultures punished only the woman for sexual transgression while excusing the man. Deuteronomy holds them equally accountable — both are brought to the gate, both are judged.
The assumption about the city — that she could have cried out — is the ancient legal framework's way of distinguishing consent from coercion. The very next verses (25-27) show the distinction clearly: if it happened in the field, where no one could hear a cry for help, only the man is punished. The law explicitly says: "unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death." She is fully protected when coercion is the reasonable assumption.
This matters because it shows the law's intention to distinguish between willing participation and victimization. The law doesn't treat all women as guilty. It carefully evaluates circumstances. In the city: both accountable. In the field: only the man. The location determines the presumption, and the presumption determines the verdict.
The phrase "put away evil from among you" reveals the communal dimension. This isn't just about the individuals — it's about what the community tolerates. Evil that isn't addressed doesn't stay contained. It spreads. God's instruction is to remove it publicly, at the gate, where the community can witness that this behavior has consequences. The purity of the community depends on its willingness to confront what's corrupting it.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field,.... Alone, and where she might cry out, and none hear, nor were any…
These laws relate to the seventh commandment, laying a restraint by laying a penalty upon those fleshly lusts which war…
bring them both out unto the gate of that city, etc.] see on Deu 13:10 (11), Deu 17:5.
because, etc.] This construction…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture