Does 'casting stones' mean something other that lterally throwing real stones at someone?

Question

I meant: literally

No, I'm not looking for symbolic meanings...just for those pepople who understand them!

I think my typing's a bit off today...should I be stoned publicly for that?

Answer 1

Casting stones came from the ara when people were stoned to death for "crimes" they had been accused of. Now days, "casting stones" means that people are basically "judging" or "accusing" unjustly. You have probably heard the phrase "Don't throw rocks in glass houses", this is similar to "casting stones" in that, unless you have never done anything wrong, don't judge or critize others.

Answer 2

You get the phrase "cast the first stone" from where the religious leaders brought the adulterous woman to Jesus and asked him what they thought. Jesus wrote on the ground twice and then said "ye without sin cast the first stone". I think what Jesus eluding to was the fact that the religious leaders did not obey the Law of Moses when bringing this woman to trial. The womans husband was not present and the man she was being accused of adultry was not prestent. I think Jesus is actually saying that before you go accusing someone of something you better have your facts in order.

Answer 3

Jesus said to a crowd of men that were about to stone a woman caught in adultery "He who is without sin cast the first stone". One by one all the men walked away after dropping their stones. Then he asked the woman "Where are your accusors?" and then told her "Go, and sin no more.".

At that time it did have a very literal meaning but the point that Jesus was making is that we are not to condemn or judge others for their actions, since we ourselves are imperfect. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The expression began because of the Old Testament laws that required "God's people" to stone their neighbors to death if they worked on the Sabbath, ate shell fish, touched a pig, and other great sins.

Answer 5

Oh my God.

Are you looking for symbolic and figurative meanings in the Bible?

Fundamentalist leaders count on getting their flocks to focus on litteral meanings as a way of diverting attention to some of the real meanings of the Bible, like "do not condem others if you yourself are not above reproach"

Answer 6

Actually, it can refer to both the literal and the figurative. "Historically", and yet today in some quarters, the "desert religions"--you know which those are, eh?, allowed stoning to death of the "transgressor" for certain "crimes". I understand "modern" fundamentalists--amusing term--in religions i dare not name for fear of being politically incorrect, still support the practice.

Figuratively, obviously, it means criticizing others, usually for faults you yourself have--very popular, as well :))

Answer 7

Yes. It is a metaphor. Those who live in glass houses shouldnt cast stones, means not to be hippocritical.

Answer 8

back in roman times anyone accused of a wrng was put agianst a wall and stones were thrown t them somtime till they died, but you could just throw stones ant anyone even if you didnt know why, its in the life of brian

Answer 9

In Biblical times it was meant literally. Now it is used figuratively.

Answer 10

This expression may be used as a metaphor as well. Like when you say " you are killing me" when someone makes laugh. And usually metaphoric when used, means "throw accusations".