John 8:10

KJV

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} Jesus {G2424} had lifted up himself {G352}, and {G2532} saw {G2300} none {G3367} but {G4133} the woman {G1135}, he said {G2036} unto her {G846}, Woman {G1135}, where {G4226} are {G1526} those {G1565} thine {G4675} accusers {G2725}? hath {G2632} no man {G3762} condemned {G2632} thee {G4571}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Standing up, Yeshua said to her, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”

American Standard Version

And Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto her, Woman, where are they? did no man condemn thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Encapsulates a pivotal moment of divine grace and non-condemnation, following Jesus' profound interaction with the scribes and Pharisees who sought to trap Him by presenting a woman caught in adultery. With her accusers having departed, convicted by their own consciences, Jesus, having lifted Himself from writing on the ground, turns His compassionate gaze upon the woman, initiating a dialogue that underscores His unique authority, mercy, and mission to offer redemption rather than judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of the dramatic narrative found in [John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - The Woman Caught in Adultery"). The scene unfolds in the Temple courts, where Jesus is teaching. The scribes and Pharisees interrupt, dragging a woman caught in the act of adultery before Him, demanding her stoning according to the Mosaic Law. Their true motive, however, was to trap Jesus, forcing Him to either contradict the Law or lose His reputation for compassion. Jesus' initial response, stooping to write on the ground, creates suspense. When pressed, He delivers the iconic challenge, "[He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her](/john/8-7 "John 8:7 - Jesus' Challenge to the Accusers")". This statement, coupled with His continued writing, leads to the gradual departure of the accusers, "from the eldest even unto the last," until only Jesus and the woman remain, setting the stage for the tender exchange in [John 8:10](/john/8-10 "John 8:10 - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The incident occurs during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when Jerusalem would have been crowded with pilgrims. The setting in the Temple courts highlights the public nature of the accusation and the religious authority of the accusers. According to [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery") and [Deuteronomy 22:22-24](/deuteronomy/22-22-24 "Deuteronomy 22:22-24 - Laws concerning Adultery"), both the man and the woman caught in adultery were to be put to death, typically by stoning. The Pharisees' presentation of only the woman, and their failure to bring the male accomplice, reveals their hypocrisy and manipulative intent. Furthermore, under Roman occupation, Jewish authorities did not have the right to carry out capital punishment, a fact that would have further complicated Jesus' response and exposed their trap.
* **Key Themes:** [John 8:10](/john/8-10 "John 8:10 - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery") profoundly contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Compassion and Mercy**, contrasting Jesus' gentle, non-condemning approach with the harsh legalism and judgmentalism of the religious leaders. Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' Authority and Wisdom**, demonstrating His ability to disarm His adversaries not through force, but through a profound moral challenge that exposed their own sin. This moment underscores His unique position as the true arbiter of justice, transcending human legal systems. Finally, the scene foreshadows the theme of **Salvation and New Life**, as Jesus' interaction with the woman offers her a path to restoration rather than condemnation, echoing His mission to "[not condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus' Mission to Save")".

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lifted up himself (Greek, _anakýptō'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to unbend" or "to rise," signifies Jesus' posture change from stooping down to writing on the ground. It implies a deliberate, authoritative movement, marking a shift in the narrative's focus from the accusers to Jesus' direct engagement with the woman. It suggests a rising to address the situation with clear intent and presence.
* **woman (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** While a common term for "woman" or "wife," in this context, Jesus' address of "Woman" is significant. It is a respectful, yet direct, form of address, devoid of the contempt or accusation that the Pharisees had heaped upon her. It restores her dignity in a moment of extreme vulnerability and shame, contrasting sharply with the dehumanizing way she had been treated.
* **condemned (Greek, _katakrínō'_):** This term means "to judge against," "to sentence," or "to doom." Jesus' question, "hath no man condemned thee?", directly addresses the legal and moral outcome of the situation. The departure of the accusers means that no human authority has passed a sentence of condemnation upon her. This sets the stage for Jesus' own declaration in the subsequent verse, emphasizing that His purpose is not to condemn but to offer grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Jesus had lifted up himself":** This phrase marks a crucial transition. Previously, Jesus had been stooping, writing on the ground, a posture that both avoided direct engagement with the accusers and perhaps symbolized His humility or deep contemplation. His rising signifies His readiness to directly address the woman and the situation, taking a position of authority and direct interaction.
* **"and saw none but the woman":** This highlights the complete departure of the accusers. Their self-righteous indignation had vanished, replaced by the conviction of their own sins, leaving the woman utterly alone with Jesus. This isolation underscores the profound intimacy and singular focus of the ensuing encounter, free from the manipulative gaze of the crowd.
* **"he said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers?'":** Jesus' first question is rhetorical, drawing attention to the absence of those who had sought to condemn her. It implicitly acknowledges the injustice of her public humiliation and the failure of her accusers to follow through with their legalistic demands. It also serves to re-establish her humanity and dignity, inviting her to recognize her changed circumstances.
* **"hath no man condemned thee?":** This second question directly addresses the legal and moral outcome. Since no one remained to cast a stone or pronounce a sentence, she was, in effect, free from human condemnation. This sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent declaration, emphasizing that her freedom from condemnation is now complete, not just from her accusers, but from Him as well.

#### Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs **Contrast** as a central literary device, juxtaposing Jesus' divine compassion with the accusers' legalistic cruelty. The scene begins with the harsh, public condemnation of the woman by the Pharisees, who are driven by malice and hypocrisy, and ends with Jesus' private, gentle inquiry that offers grace. There is also a profound **Irony** in the accusers' departure: they came to condemn the woman but left condemned by their own consciences, exposed by Jesus' simple yet profound challenge. The act of Jesus stooping and writing on the ground, while not explicitly defined, functions as a form of **Symbolism**, perhaps representing the Law written on stone tablets, or God's silent judgment, or even the writing of their sins. His subsequent rising and non-condemning words symbolize the shift from the old covenant of law to the new covenant of grace, where mercy triumphs over judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:10 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice and mercy, as embodied in Jesus Christ. It reveals that true justice is not merely the application of law but is tempered by compassion and aims for restoration rather than mere punishment. Jesus, who alone had the moral authority to condemn, chose instead to offer grace, demonstrating that His primary mission was not to judge the world according to its sin, but to save it. This act foreshadows the ultimate redemptive work on the cross, where He would bear the condemnation of humanity, making forgiveness possible. The scene underscores the truth that while sin has consequences, God's ultimate desire is for repentance and life, not death.

* [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")
* [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "Jesus Did Not Come to Condemn the World")
* [Luke 6:37](/luke/6-37 "Do Not Judge, and You Will Not Be Judged")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The powerful encounter in [John 8:10](/john/8-10 "John 8:10 - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery") calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our own attitudes towards sin, judgment, and grace. In a world quick to condemn and eager to expose flaws, Jesus offers a counter-cultural model of compassion and restorative love. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts for any traces of the Pharisaical spirit – a readiness to point out others' faults while overlooking our own. It reminds us that our role as followers of Christ is not to be accusers, but agents of reconciliation and hope. Just as Jesus offered the woman a fresh start, we are called to extend grace, forgiveness, and the possibility of new beginnings to those who have stumbled, remembering that we ourselves are recipients of immense mercy. True transformation flows not from shame or external pressure, but from an encounter with the liberating truth and non-condemning love of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, like the accusers, sometimes focus on the sins of others while overlooking my own?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of compassion and grace, reflecting Jesus' attitude towards those who have fallen?**
* **What does it mean for me to live under grace, free from condemnation, and how does that freedom empower me to "go, and sin no more"?**
* **How can I be an agent of restoration and hope in my community, rather than an instrument of judgment?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus write on the ground, and what was the significance of that act?**

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly state what Jesus wrote on the ground, leading to various interpretations. Some suggest He was writing the sins of the accusers, convicting them of their own hypocrisy. Others believe He was simply demonstrating His calm composure and refusal to be drawn into their trap, or perhaps fulfilling a prophetic act, as in [Jeremiah 17:13](/jeremiah/17-13 "Jeremiah 17:13 - Those Who Turn Away from God Will Be Written in the Earth"). Regardless of the specific content, the act of writing served to delay His response, create suspense, and ultimately shift the focus from the woman's sin to the accusers' own moral standing, allowing their consciences to convict them. It was a powerful, non-verbal act that disarmed His adversaries and highlighted His divine wisdom and authority.

**What happened to the woman after this encounter?**

Answer: The biblical text does not provide further details about the woman's life after [John 8:11](/john/8-11 "John 8:11 - Jesus' Command to the Woman"). Jesus' final words to her, "[Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more](/john/8-11 "John 8:11 - Jesus' Command to the Woman")", imply a command to repentance and a new life free from the sin that entangled her. While we don't know her subsequent actions, the narrative strongly suggests that she was given a profound opportunity for a fresh start, empowered by grace rather than burdened by condemnation. Her story stands as a timeless testament to Jesus' transformative power and His willingness to offer forgiveness to all who turn to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 8:10](/john/8-10 "John 8:10 - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery") profoundly illuminates the Christ-centered nature of salvation, revealing Jesus not as a condemner, but as the ultimate Savior. In this moment, Jesus stands as the embodiment of God's perfect justice and boundless mercy. He alone, being without sin, possessed the right to cast the first stone, yet He chose not to condemn. This act foreshadows His ultimate mission: to bear the condemnation of humanity on the cross, so that all who believe in Him might receive forgiveness and new life. As [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation for Those in Christ Jesus") declares, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." The woman's deliverance from human judgment points to the greater spiritual deliverance offered by Christ, who came "[not to condemn the world, but to save the world through him](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus' Mission to Save the World")". Her encounter with Jesus is a microcosm of the Gospel itself: humanity, caught in sin and facing just condemnation, finds complete absolution and the empowering call to a transformed life through the gracious intervention of the Son of God, who "[made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")".

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 41:11

Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

Isaiah 41:12

Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, [even] them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.