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Commentaries
English
John
  
9b – until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"11"No one, Sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."


There stood the woman trembling. Jesus looked at her with mercy and fairness and asked, "Where are your accusers? Is no one here to judge you and condemn?" She felt that Jesus, the Holy One would not punish her, and yet he was the only person with the right to condemn her.
Jesus loves sinners; he came to seek the wanderers. he could not punish the sinful woman, but offer her his grace. For he bore our sin, ready to die for the world. He bore that woman’s judgment.
So he offers you total pardon, since he died for you. Believe in his love so that he may free you from judgment. Accept his Spirit of forgiveness too, so that you may not judge others. Never forget that you also are a sinner, nor are you better than others. If another has committed adultery, are you not unclean yourself? If he has stolen, are you faithful? Judge not that you may not be judged. With the measure you mete out, it will be meted out to you. Why do you observe the speck in your brother’s eye, and ignore the beam in yours?
Jesus bade her not to fall back into the mistake from then on. God’s commandment to be pure is fixed and should not be softened. He led this woman longing for love to come back to God, and confess her sin. She will thus receive the Holy Spirit from the blood of the Lamb. He did require something impossible from her, but gave her the power available to the broken-hearted; to live in holiness. Thus he bids you not to sin any more; he is ready to hear your heart’s confession.

Prayer
O Lord Jesus, I am ashamed in your presence, for I am no better than the adulteress. Forgive me for judging or hurting others. Cleanse me from iniquity. I thank you for pardoning me. I praise you for your patience and mercy. Help me not to sin from now on. Strengthen my resolve and confirm me in purity. Lead me into a life of holiness.
Question
Why did the accusers of the adulteress withdraw from Jesus’ presence?