John 8:9

KJV

And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they which heard {G191} it,{G2532} being convicted {G1651} by {G5259} their own conscience {G4893}, went out {G1831} one by one {G1527}, beginning {G756} at {G575} the eldest {G4245}, even unto {G2193} the last {G2078}: and {G2532} Jesus {G2424} was left {G2641} alone {G3441}, and {G2532} the woman {G1135} standing {G2476} in {G1722} the midst {G3319}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing this, they began to leave, one by one, the older ones first, until he was left alone, with the woman still there.

Berean Standard Bible

When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.

American Standard Version

And they, when they heard it, went out one by one, beginning from the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 8:9 vividly portrays the immediate and profound impact of Jesus' challenge on the accusers of the woman caught in adultery. As Jesus declared that only the sinless among them should cast the first stone, the scribes and Pharisees, convicted by their own consciences, silently departed one by one, beginning with the eldest, leaving Jesus alone with the woman standing before Him. This pivotal moment underscores the power of divine truth to expose human hypocrisy and set the stage for grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point within the narrative of the woman caught in adultery, found in [John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - The Woman Caught in Adultery"). The preceding verses describe the scribes and Pharisees bringing the woman to Jesus, attempting to trap Him by forcing a decision between upholding the Mosaic Law (which prescribed stoning for adultery, as seen in [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery")) and demonstrating compassion, which could be construed as undermining the Law. Jesus' initial response of writing on the ground (a mysterious but significant act) and His subsequent piercing challenge in [John 8:7](/john/8-7 "John 8:7 - Let Him Who Is Without Sin") ("He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her") directly leads to the scene described in John 8:9. The departure of the accusers then clears the way for Jesus' merciful interaction with the woman in [John 8:10-11](/john/8-10-11 "John 8:10-11 - Jesus Forgives the Woman").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, public stoning was a prescribed form of capital punishment for certain offenses, including adultery. However, the authority to execute capital punishment under Roman occupation was often restricted, making the accusers' demand a legal and political trap. Furthermore, the accusers, being religious leaders, were expected to uphold the Law rigorously, yet their motivation here was not justice for the woman but rather to discredit Jesus. The public shaming of the woman was also a common cultural practice, but Jesus' response skillfully subverted this by turning the gaze inward on the accusers' own moral failings. The "eldest" departing first would have been culturally significant, as age often correlated with status and authority, suggesting that even those most respected felt the weight of their own guilt.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **conviction of conscience**, demonstrating how divine truth can penetrate even the most hardened hearts, forcing an internal reckoning with sin, a concept also explored in [Romans 2:15](/romans/2-15 "Romans 2:15 - The Law Written on Hearts"). It vividly exposes the **hypocrisy of religious legalism**, showing how those quick to condemn others often harbor unaddressed sin themselves, a recurring critique Jesus levels against the Pharisees throughout the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). The scene also underscores Jesus' **divine wisdom and authority**, as He masterfully navigates a perilous trap without compromising truth or compassion, revealing His unique ability to discern the hearts of men. Finally, the departure of the accusers sets the stage for the theme of **mercy triumphing over judgment**, preparing for Jesus' act of grace towards the woman, which echoes the prophetic call for mercy over sacrifice found in [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **convicted (Greek, _elénchō'_):** This word signifies to "confute, admonish, or reprove." Here, it's used in the passive voice, indicating that the accusers were "being convicted." It implies an internal, undeniable exposure of guilt, not merely an external accusation. Jesus' words acted as a mirror, reflecting their own sin back to them, leading to an inescapable sense of culpability.
* **conscience (Greek, _syneídēsis'_):** Derived from a word meaning "co-perception," this term refers to the moral consciousness or inner sense of right and wrong. The phrase "by their own conscience" emphasizes that the conviction was self-imposed, an internal witness to their unworthiness. It was not Jesus' direct condemnation but their own moral compass, activated by His truth, that compelled their departure.
* **one by one (Greek, _heîs kath’ heîs'_):** This phrase literally means "one according to one," emphasizing the individual nature of their departure. It highlights the personal impact of Jesus' words on each man, suggesting a private moment of self-realization that compelled them to leave individually rather than as a unified group. This orderly, sequential departure, starting with the eldest, adds to the dramatic effect.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one":** This clause describes the immediate and profound effect of Jesus' challenge. The accusers, having heard Jesus' words ("He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her!"), were internally exposed and condemned by their own moral awareness. This conviction was so powerful that it compelled them to leave the scene, not as a mob, but individually, each responding to his own inner guilt.
* **"beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last":** This detail provides a vivid picture of the scene. The departure was orderly and began with the most senior and presumably most respected members of the group. This suggests that the wisdom and experience of age did not exempt them from sin, and perhaps, their greater life experience made them even more acutely aware of their own moral failings, setting an example for the younger ones to follow.
* **"and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst":** This final part of the verse marks a dramatic shift in the scene. The crowd of accusers, who had surrounded the woman and Jesus, dissipates, leaving only Jesus and the accused woman. This isolation creates an intimate and poignant setting for the subsequent interaction, highlighting Jesus' unique position as the only sinless one, capable of both righteous judgment and ultimate mercy. The woman remains "in the midst," still vulnerable but now directly in the presence of her only advocate.

#### Literary Devices
John 8:9 is rich with **Dramatic Irony**, as the accusers, intending to trap Jesus and condemn the woman, instead find themselves exposed and condemned by their own standards. The scene also employs **Symbolism** through the act of departure; the "going out one by one" symbolizes the dismantling of their collective self-righteousness and the personal nature of conviction. There is a strong element of **Contrast** between the bustling, accusatory crowd and the eventual quiet solitude of Jesus and the woman, heightening the tension and preparing for the moment of grace. The phrase "beginning at the eldest, even unto the last" is a form of **Merism**, indicating a complete range or totality, emphasizing that *everyone* present was affected by Jesus' words, regardless of age or status. This verse also serves as **Foreshadowing** for the subsequent demonstration of Jesus' mercy, as the removal of the accusers clears the stage for His redemptive interaction with the woman.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 8:9 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of sin, judgment, and grace. It reveals that true conviction comes not from external accusation but from an internal reckoning with God's perfect standard, often activated by the piercing truth of Christ. The departure of the accusers underscores the universal reality of human sinfulness, even among those who outwardly appear righteous. It sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate a divine justice that is tempered with mercy, a justice that does not overlook sin but offers a path to forgiveness, highlighting God's desire for repentance and restoration over condemnation. This moment is a powerful illustration of how Jesus disarms legalism and self-righteousness, creating space for His transformative grace to operate.

* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"): "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." This verse directly echoes the universal sinfulness exposed in John 8:9.
* [Matthew 7:1-2](/matthew/7-1-2 "Matthew 7:1-2 - Do Not Judge"): "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Jesus' words in John 8:7 and the subsequent conviction of the accusers perfectly illustrate this principle.
* [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "Luke 18:9-14 - Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector"): The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector further contrasts self-righteousness with humble repentance, a dynamic vividly present in John 8:9.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 8:9 offers a timeless mirror for self-reflection, challenging us to examine our own hearts before we are quick to judge others. In a world often characterized by swift condemnation and public shaming, this verse calls us to profound humility and self-awareness. It reminds us that our primary focus should be on our own spiritual condition and our relationship with God, rather than on the perceived failings of others. When we are tempted to cast stones, whether literally or figuratively, the conviction of our own conscience, illuminated by the truth of Christ, should lead us to introspection and repentance, just as it did for the accusers. This passage encourages us to cultivate a spirit of grace and understanding, recognizing that we all stand in need of God's mercy. It teaches us that true righteousness is not found in outward adherence to rules or in condemning others, but in a humble acknowledgment of our own sin and a reliance on God's transformative grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I quick to judge others while overlooking my own shortcomings?**
* **How does the conviction of conscience, as seen in this verse, encourage me to practice honest self-examination?**
* **What "stones" (words, attitudes, actions) might I be tempted to cast, and how can I instead extend grace?**

### FAQ
**Why did the accusers leave one by one, starting with the eldest?**

Answer: The departure of the accusers, starting with the eldest, signifies the profound and personal impact of Jesus' words on each individual. The phrase "being convicted by their own conscience" indicates an internal, self-condemning realization of their own sinfulness. The eldest likely departed first due to their greater experience and perhaps a deeper understanding of the Law and their own moral failings, setting an example for the younger ones. This orderly, individual departure emphasizes that the conviction was not a mob mentality but a personal reckoning, highlighting the power of divine truth to expose the hypocrisy within each heart. It also lends a sense of solemnity and inevitability to their retreat, making space for Jesus' subsequent act of mercy towards the woman, as described in [John 8:10-11](/john/8-10-11 "John 8:10-11 - Jesus' Mercy to the Woman").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 8:9, though focusing on the accusers' departure, is profoundly Christ-centered in its implications. Jesus, the only truly sinless one, stands as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law and the embodiment of grace. While the Law demanded judgment for sin, Jesus, by His perfect life and His penetrating words, revealed the deeper truth that all humanity stands condemned by its own sin, as [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") declares. His challenge to the accusers did not abolish the Law but upheld its spiritual demand for perfect righteousness, a standard no human could meet. In this moment, Jesus is revealed not merely as a wise teacher but as the divine Son of God, capable of reading hearts and exposing hidden sin. His subsequent merciful interaction with the woman (see [John 8:11](/john/8-11 "John 8:11 - Go and Sin No More")) foreshadows His ultimate mission: to bear the sins of the world as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and offer forgiveness and new life to all who believe, fulfilling the prophecy that He came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came Not to Condemn")). The scene culminates in Jesus being left alone with the woman, symbolizing His unique role as the sole mediator and redeemer, the one who can truly offer both conviction and compassion.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:22

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Romans 2:15

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Genesis 42:21

¶ And they said one to another, We [are] verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

Genesis 42:22

And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

1 John 3:20

¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

John 8:10

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?

Romans 2:22

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?