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Meaning

To cast the first stone

The meaning of the phrase

Be the first to attack a sinner. The implication in Jesus' teaching was that the members of the congregation were only in a position to condemn a sinner if they were without sin themselves - in other words, 'judge not lest you be judged'.

The powers that be
The powers that be

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘To cast the first stone’?

Casting the first stone was adroitly satirised in the stoning scene in The Life of Brian.

This phrase derives from the Bible- John 8:7. The earliest biblical example of it in print in English comes in Miles Coverdale’s Bible, 1535:

Now whyle they contynued axynge him, he lift him self vp, and sayde vnto them: He that is amonge you without synne, let him cast the first stone at her.

Historical trend

“To cast the first stone” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1860–2020).

186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • To cast the first stone

Cited as a source

Referenced by 1 trusted source for this phrase

Backlink data verified September 2026 via Ahrefs (live index). These sources cite Phrase Finder as a reference for the meaning and origin of this expression. Also referenced by Wikipedia editions in Spanish.

Sources

  1. Miles Coverdale's Bible (1535), John 8:7 · earliest biblical example in print in English