Phrase Finder

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 June 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.