Matthew Henry Commentary John 8:1-11

"but Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst, they say unto him, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her? And this they said, trying him, that they might have [whereof] to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. But when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. 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. And Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto her, Woman, where are they? did no man condemn thee? And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more." — John 8:1-11 (ASV)

Christ neither found fault with the law, nor excused the prisoner's guilt; nor did He approve of the pretended zeal of the Pharisees. Those who judge others and yet do the same things are self-condemned. All who are in any way called to blame the faults of others are especially concerned to look to themselves and keep themselves pure.

In this matter, Christ attended to the great work for which He came into the world, which was to bring sinners to repentance; not to destroy, but to save. He aimed to bring not only the accused to repentance by showing her His mercy, but also the prosecutors by showing them their sins. Even though they thought to ensnare Him, He sought to convince and convert them. He declined to interfere with the magistrate's office.

Many crimes merit far more severe punishment than they receive; but we should not leave our own work to take upon ourselves that to which we are not called. When Christ sent her away, it was with this caution: Go, and sin no more. Those who help to save the life of a criminal should also help to save the soul with the same caution.

Those whom Christ does not condemn are truly happy. Christ's favour to us in the forgiveness of past sins should prevail upon us to Go then, and sin no more.