“Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11)

The Experience of the Adulterous Woman

In his gospel John also told of the case of a woman who was caught in adultery (8:1-11). The scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say” (vv. 4-5).

Actually, the religious people wanted to take this opportunity to accuse the Lord. They thought that if He were really the Son of God and commanded her to be stoned, He wouldn’t be expressing love. On the other hand, if the Lord would say to them that she should not be stoned, He would be going against the law of Moses.

It seemed it was a situation with no way out, but Jesus, stooping down, wrote on the ground with His finger (v. 6). At that moment the Jews ought to have been happy because they probably thought that the Lord Jesus was speechless, unable to answer. So they persisted with their question, trying to pressure Him. Then the Lord Jesus stood up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (v. 7). After He spoke, He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. Hearing these words and being accused by their own conscience, they withdrew one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last; Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. This indicates that the “first-day light” shined and enlightened everyone who was there.

Therefore the Lord Jesus stood up and said, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” (v. 10). She then answered, “No one, Lord.” In other words, she seemed to be saying, “I need You, Lord.” The woman was enlightened, recognizing Jesus as Lord and also her condition as a sinner.

Unfortunately, many these days do not realize that they are sinners. Even we who have received the divine life, many times we don’t see that we have a soul-life, a natural life, that is very active and strong. In order to realize this we need to receive the light of life.

According to the example of this woman, when we are enlightened and realize our true condition, we must repent, confess our sins, and remain in the Lord’s presence, and not go out as the others did. Because of her attitude, the Lord Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (v. 11). The Lord did not come to condemn people, but to give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).

This woman not only saw the light of the world, the “first-day light” (seen equally by the people who were judging and condemning), but because of remaining in the Lord’s presence she also receive the light of life, the “fourth-day light.”

Key Point:

Remaining in the Lord’s presence and receiving more light.

Your Key Point:

Question:

What is the difference between the light of the world and the light of life in the case of the adulterous woman?

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