John 8:11 Meaning and Explanation
“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The woman answers that no one has condemned her, and Jesus does not condemn her either — he sends her out free, charged to leave her sin behind.
What Does John 8:11 Mean?
Her answer is brief — No man, Lord — the only words she speaks in the account. Then the one person present who is without sin, the only one with the right to cast a stone, gives his verdict: Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.
Mercy and holiness arrive in one breath. Jesus does not call her sin harmless; the command to sin no more takes it with full seriousness. Neither does he leave her under sentence; pardon comes first, and pardon is what makes the new life possible. Here is the gospel in miniature — the Son came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17), and those he forgives he also sets walking in a new direction.
John 8:11 in the Original Language
katakrino (κατακρίνω), 'condemn' -- to give judgment against someone, to pass final sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 8:11
What does John 8:11 mean?
The woman answers that no one has condemned her, and Jesus does not condemn her either — he sends her out free, charged to leave her sin behind.