After saying this, Jesus wrote in the dirt. The same finger that wrote on Moses’ tablets and Belshazzar’s wall wrote a message in the dirt. The Bible doesn’t record what He wrote, but He might have written individual messages to each, from oldest to youngest. Since He said “the one without sin,” He could have written their own specific sins, including adultery. Some scholars speculate He wrote the names of women with whom they had committed that sin. Could it be the Pharisees didn’t accuse the man caught in adultery because he was in their group?
It’s possible they were all guilty of adultery, which meant they would have to stone each other! They all left one by one, beginning with the older ones. The older ones had accumulated the most sins and had reputations to protect. Without an accuser, the woman was free under Jewish Law.
After her accusers left, she called Him “Lord” (8:11). Jesus replied, “Neither do I condemn you.” Condemnation is not telling people they are sinners; it’s stoning them! Many people quote this verse saying “don’t cast stones at me” and “Jesus didn’t condemn her,” but they omit “Go and sin no more” (8:11). Jesus forgave her adultery, but He also told her to never do it again. He says the same to all who call Jesus their Lord, “I forgive you. Go and sin no more.”
WATCH THE LYRICS SONG: REBEL by Anne Wilson (Good lyrics—makes you think)
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