The present episode took place in the temple court at dawn. The entire affair had the appearance of trickery, a trap specially prepared to catch Jesus. The Sanhedrin forced their way into the center of the group and interrupted Jesus' teaching by bringing a woman before him. The guilt of the woman was indisputable; she had been "caught in the act of adultery," and Jesus did not challenge the charge. The scribes and Pharisees posed this dilemma: According to the law, she should be put to death (see Lev 20:10; Dt 22:22-24). If then, Jesus refused to confirm the death penalty, he could be charged with contradicting the law of God and would himself be liable to condemnation.