Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 8:11

ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν for καί.

11. οὐδείς, κύριε. We must remember that κύριε need not mean more than ‘Sir’ (see on John 6:34): but as we have no such ambiguous word in English, ‘Lord,’ though possibly too strong, is best.

οὐδὲ ἐγώ. Ἐγώ is very emphatic, ‘not even I, though ἀναμάρτητος.’ He maintains in tenderness towards her the attitude which He had assumed in sternness towards her accusers: He declines the office of judge. He came not to condemn, but to seek and to save. And yet He did condemn, as S. Augustine remarks, not the woman, but the sin. With regard to the woman, though He does not condemn, yet He does not pardon: He does not say ‘thy sins have been forgiven thee’ (Matthew 9:2; Luke 7:48), or even ‘go in peace’ (Luke 7:50; Luke 8:48). “We must not apply in all cases a sentence, which requires His Divine knowledge to make it a just one” (Alford). He knew, what her accusers did not know, whether she was penitent or not.

ἀπὸ τ. ν. μ. ἁμάρτανε. From henceforth continue no longer in sin (see on John 5:14). The contrast between the mere negative declaration and the very positive exhortation is striking. There is πάρεσις, but not ἄφεσις, τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων (Romans 3:25); her sins are passed by for the present, while she has time to amend.

John 8:12 to John 9:41. CHRIST THE SOURCE OF TRUTH AND LIGHT

In John 8:12-46 ἀλήθεια occurs 7 times, ἀληθής 4 times, ἀληθινός and ἀληθῶς each once.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 8:11

Old Testament

New Testament