This painting illustrates the gospel story of Christ being asked to sentence an adulterous woman to death. He replied that all those who even briefly consider the idea of adultery but do not act on it are as guilty as the woman, whom he dismissed, telling her not to sin again. This is one of the most important works in Glasgow's collections. It is an early work, dating from about 1509, when the young Titian's developing style was still close to that of his teacher, Giorgione.
Another work now in Glasgow's collection, the 'Head of a Man', originally formed part of this same painting, but was cut off at an unknown date.