John 8:11

KJV

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} She said {G2036}, No man {G3762}, Lord {G2962}. And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto her {G846}, Neither {G3761} do {G2632} I {G1473} condemn {G2632} thee {G4571}: go {G4198}, and {G2532} sin {G264} no more {G3371}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She said, “No one, sir.” Yeshua said, “Neither do I condemn you. Now go, and don’t sin any more.”

Berean Standard Bible

“No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”

American Standard Version

And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 8:11 concludes the powerful and poignant narrative of the woman caught in adultery, presenting Jesus' radical display of divine mercy and a clear call to transformation. After her accusers, convicted by their own consciences, depart one by one, Jesus is left alone with the woman. He does not condemn her, but instead offers a profound pardon, coupled with a direct command to cease her sinful lifestyle, thereby extending both grace and a summons to new obedience. This verse encapsulates the heart of Jesus' mission: to offer salvation and a path to holiness, rather than judgment and condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 8:11 serves as the climactic conclusion to the pericope of the woman caught in adultery, found in [John 7:53-8:11](/john/7-53-8-11 "The Woman Caught in Adultery"). The preceding verses detail how the Scribes and Pharisees, seeking to trap Jesus, bring a woman caught in the act of adultery before Him. They present a legal dilemma: if Jesus upholds the Mosaic Law, He must command her stoning, which would contradict His reputation for mercy and potentially incite Roman authorities. If He dismisses the Law, He would be seen as undermining God's commands. Jesus' response, stooping to write on the ground and then challenging, "[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"), effectively disarms her accusers, who depart one by one. The immediate context of verse 11 is Jesus being left alone with the woman, creating an intimate space for His compassionate declaration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Mosaic Law, as recorded in [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery") and [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Law on Adultery"), indeed prescribed death by stoning for adultery. However, by the first century CE, the Jewish people were under Roman occupation, and the authority to execute capital punishment had largely been reserved by the Roman procurator (cf. [John 18:31](/john/18-31 "John 18:31 - Pilate's Authority")). The Scribes and Pharisees were not merely seeking justice but attempting to corner Jesus: either He would violate Roman law by authorizing an execution, or He would violate Mosaic Law by dismissing the prescribed punishment, thus discrediting Himself as a teacher of God's law. Their selective application of the law (where was the man also caught in adultery, as required by [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Law on Adultery")?) reveals their true motive was not righteousness but malice.
* **Key Themes:** This narrative, culminating in [John 8:11](/john/8-11 "John 8:11 - Neither Do I Condemn You"), profoundly contributes to several key themes in the Gospel of John and broader biblical theology. It highlights Jesus as the embodiment of **divine mercy and grace**, contrasting sharply with the legalistic condemnation of the religious leaders. His refusal to condemn, yet His call to repentance, underscores the theme of **new life and transformation** offered through Him, rather than mere adherence to external law. It also powerfully demonstrates Jesus' **supreme authority**, not only over human law and judgment but also over sin itself, aligning with His self-declaration as the "Light of the World" in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), which immediately follows this account. The incident serves as a vivid illustration of the tension between law and grace, a recurring motif throughout the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **condemn (Greek, _katakrínō_):** This verb signifies "to judge against," "to pronounce sentence upon," or "to doom." In this context, Jesus' declaration "Neither do I condemn thee" directly counters the legal judgment and death sentence the Pharisees sought to impose. It emphasizes His role as a redeemer and savior, not primarily as a punisher, demonstrating a divine prerogative to offer mercy where human law would demand retribution.
* **go (Greek, _poreúomai_):** This word means "to traverse," "to travel," or "to depart." It is an imperative, a direct command for the woman to leave her current situation. More than just physical movement, it implies a departure from her former way of life, initiating a new path. This command is active and forward-looking, signaling a break from the past and an embarkation on a different course.
* **sin (Greek, _hamartánō_):** Derived from a root meaning "to miss the mark," this verb refers to err, especially morally. It encompasses acts of transgression against God's law and will. The command "sin no more" is a direct imperative for the woman to cease her sinful patterns. It indicates that while forgiveness is freely given, it is not a license for continued transgression but an empowerment and expectation for a transformed life, aligning with the concept of repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"She said, No man, Lord."**: This phrase captures the woman's response to Jesus' earlier question, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" (John 8:10). Her simple, direct answer confirms that all her accusers have departed, leaving her without human condemnation. Her address of Jesus as "Lord" (κύριος, _kýrios_) is significant; it can be a respectful address like "Sir," but in this context, it may also hint at a nascent recognition of His authority or divine nature, especially after witnessing His interaction with her accusers.
* **"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee:"**: This is the pivotal declaration of grace. Jesus, the only one truly qualified to judge and condemn, chooses not to. His statement stands in stark contrast to the legalistic and judgmental attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees. It highlights His divine mission, as articulated in [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent Not His Son to Condemn"), to save rather than to condemn. This is not a dismissal of her sin, but an act of profound mercy, offering an undeserved pardon and a fresh start.
* **"go, and sin no more."**: This is a crucial imperative that balances grace with truth. Jesus' forgiveness is not a license for continued sin but an empowerment and a command to live a transformed life. The phrase "no more" (μηκέτι, _mēkéti_) implies a decisive break from past behavior. It underscores the expectation of repentance and a change in conduct following an encounter with divine grace. This command reveals that true mercy leads to a call for holiness, demonstrating that God's grace is transformative, not permissive.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is central, pitting the legalistic, condemning attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees against Jesus' compassionate, non-condemning grace. This highlights the difference between rigid adherence to the letter of the law and the spirit of God's mercy. There is also a powerful use of **Irony** as the self-righteous accusers, who sought to expose the woman's sin, are themselves exposed by Jesus' challenge, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" ([John 8:7](/john/8-7 "John 8:7 - Jesus' Challenge")). This turns their judgmental gaze inward, leading to their departure. Finally, Jesus' command, "**go, and sin no more**," functions as a powerful **Imperative**, a direct and authoritative instruction that demands immediate and future action, signifying the transformative power of His encounter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:11 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's grace and the purpose of Jesus' first advent. It reveals that while sin is unequivocally identified, God's primary posture towards humanity is one of redemptive love, not immediate condemnation. Jesus' act of non-condemnation, coupled with the command to "sin no more," perfectly encapsulates the balance between grace and truth. It demonstrates that divine forgiveness is not cheap; it demands a response of repentance and a commitment to a transformed life. This encounter prefigures the ultimate work of Christ on the cross, where the penalty for sin would be paid, making both forgiveness and the empowerment to live righteously possible. It highlights that true freedom from sin's power comes through an encounter with the Savior, who offers both pardon and a path to holiness.

* [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - For God Sent Not His Son to Condemn")
* [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")
* [John 5:14](/john/5-14 "John 5:14 - Jesus' Command to the Healed Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 8:11 offers a timeless message of hope and challenge for every believer. It reminds us that no sin is too great for God's mercy, and no one is beyond the reach of His transformative grace. Just as Jesus extended compassion to the woman, He extends it to us, offering forgiveness for our past failures. However, this grace is not a license to continue in sin; rather, it is an empowering force that calls us to a new way of life. We are invited to "go and sin no more," to actively turn away from patterns of sin and embrace the freedom and righteousness that come through Christ. This verse also challenges us to reflect Jesus' non-condemning attitude towards others, extending grace and compassion while also speaking truth and encouraging repentance. It calls us to be agents of transformation, not judges, in a world desperate for both mercy and moral clarity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' response to the woman challenge my own tendencies to judge or condemn others?**
* **In what areas of my life might Jesus be calling me to "go, and sin no more," and what practical steps can I take towards that transformation?**
* **How does understanding Jesus' balance of grace and truth in this passage impact my view of God and His expectations for my life?**

### FAQ

**Does this passage mean that Jesus condones adultery or minimizes sin?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Jesus does not condone adultery or minimize the seriousness of sin. The Mosaic Law clearly condemned adultery, and Jesus Himself upheld the Law (e.g., [Matthew 5:17-19](/matthew/5-17-19 "Matthew 5:17-19 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). His refusal to condemn the woman was not an endorsement of her actions but a demonstration of His divine mercy and a strategic move to expose the hypocrisy of her accusers. Furthermore, His immediate command, "go, and sin no more," unequivocally calls her to repentance and a transformed life, reinforcing the gravity of sin while offering a path to freedom from its power. This act highlights Jesus' mission to save sinners, not to excuse sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:11 is a profound illustration of Christ's redemptive mission, foreshadowing His ultimate work on the cross. Jesus' declaration, "Neither do I condemn thee," is a preview of the glorious truth that for those who are in Him, "there is therefore now no condemnation" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). He, the sinless Lamb of God, who alone had the right to cast a stone, chose instead to bear the condemnation for humanity's sin. His command to "go, and sin no more" is not merely a moral injunction but an empowerment made possible by His atoning sacrifice. Through His death and resurrection, Christ breaks the power of sin, enabling believers to walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). The grace extended to the woman in [John 8:11](/john/8-11 "John 8:11 - Neither Do I Condemn You") is the same grace that flows from Calvary, offering forgiveness and the Holy Spirit's power to live a life pleasing to God ([Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk by the Spirit")). Thus, this encounter is a microcosm of the Gospel: Jesus, the perfect Judge, becomes the merciful Savior, offering pardon and empowering transformation for all who believe.

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

John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 5:14

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Isaiah 1:16

¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

John 8:15

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

Luke 15:7

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 5:32

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.