And Jesus, lifting himself up and seeing no one but the woman, said to her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Has no one condemned thee?
Commentary for this verse has not been generated yet.
And she said, No one, sir. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn thee go, and sin no more.
Two people are left in the temple court. One is a woman caught in adultery. The other is the only man there who could have thrown the first stone without hypocrisy. What He says to her raises two questions. On what ground can guilt go free? And what does a forgiven sinner do next?
Her accusers had walked out because the light exposed them. This is not a case dropped for lack of witnesses. The Judge Himself was still standing there when the last accuser left.
So He sends her away. And how much more it means, coming from Him who could have condemned her, had He wished to or had He come for that! This was no condemnation, and it came from the One from whom condemnation could come. He alone had the right to condemn.
Grace and holiness are not in competition here. Both shine in the same words.
Who but He could say "Neither do I condemn you"! Infinite grace and perfect holiness are both seen in Christ. "Go, and from now on sin no more."
Commentators differ over how much she received. Some point to what He does not say to her.
Here the Lord is acting as light. Therefore, instead of saying, "Your sins are forgiven," He asks, "Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?" … It is not pardon, nor mercy, but light. "Go, and sin no more" — not, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Others see her standing still before Him as the answer of faith. On that reading He is free to forgive, because the light has already done its work in her.
How will the Lord preserve His grace and maintain His holiness? If He acquits her, His holiness is ignored; if He condemns her, what becomes of His grace? … On His part, He is free to forgive one who has been brought into the light and has taken her true place before Him in repentance.
The Pharisees heard the same voice that day and left with nothing. What separated them from her was not the size of their sin but their unwillingness to stand where she stood.
But this word is only for the ruined sinner who stands before the Judge, knowing he is guilty. The righteous Pharisees did not hear it. They were convicted too. But they did not want to confess their sin. They tried to shake off their convictions and bury them under some good works of their own… If you want God's full and free pardon, you must first take the place of the guilty sinner. Be alone with Jesus, self-condemned and knowing it. Do not make resolutions to do better. Do not try to improve before you come to Him. Let your very sins bring you to Him.
The command that follows is not a condition she must meet to keep her freedom. The order runs the other way, and that order is the whole point.
Holiness is found here in its true relation and due order: no condemnation leading on to no more sin. Grace and not law is the power for holiness.
The same order holds for every reader, not only for her.
Never forget it. An unbreakable link binds these two sayings together: "No condemnation" and "Sin no more." Grace shines in the one; holiness breathes in the other.
Her freedom raises one more question. She is told to go — but where?
The shadow of condemnation is lifted — but where is she to go? The verses that follow may not apply strictly to this incident, but their moral teaching is of the utmost importance: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The path of freedom is a path lit up with the glory of Christ, and on such a path we find liberty in the service of God.
She walked out with one thing only, and it was enough.
But let us carefully note the authority on which the woman knew she was not condemned. What was it? Simply the word of Jesus. She knew it because He said it. Blessed authority — nothing like it, none other but it. Christ's work is the basis, His word the authority. How simple! How solid! How satisfactory!
- Convicted. Only those who own their guilt hear this word. The accusers felt it too, but walked out rather than stand where she stood.
- Uncondemned. The one voice that could have condemned her chose not to. This is mercy from the Judge, not a legal loophole.
- Sent. "No condemnation" and "sin no more" are one sentence, not two. Grace, not law, is the power that produces holiness.
- Lit. Freedom is not an empty space but a road. The path away from condemnation is lit by the glory of Christ.
- Assured. Her whole standing rested on what Jesus said. His work is the basis; His word is the authority.