John 8:9
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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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
they . . . convicted . . . went out one by one . . . Jesus was left alone--that is, without one of her accusers remaining; for it is added. the woman in the midst--that is, of the remaining audience. While the trap failed to catch Him for whom it was laid, it caught those who laid it. Stunned by the unexpected home thrust, they immediately made off--which makes the impudence of those impure hypocrites in dragging such a case before the public eye the more disgusting.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's evading the snare which the Jews laid for him, in bringing to him a woman taken in adultery (Joh 8:1-11). II. Divers discourses or conferences of his with the Jews that cavilled at him, and sought occasion against him, and made every thing he said a matter of controversy. 1. Concerning his being the light of the world (Joh 8:12-20). 2. Concerning the ruin of the unbelieving Jews (Joh 8:21-30). 3. Concerning liberty and bondage (Joh 8:31-37). 4. Concerning his Father and their father (Joh 8:38-47). 5. Here is his discourse in answer to their blasphemous reproaches (Joh 8:48-50). 6. Concerning the immortality of believers (Joh 8:51-59). And in all this he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself.
Open source ↗8:9 The jury crumbled as they slipped away. One accuser departed, followed by another, and then a succession of bystanders.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.
Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head.
The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.
“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”