John 8:10
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Original Language Analysis
ἀνακύψας
had lifted up himself
G352
ἀνακύψας
had lifted up himself
Strong's:
G352
Word #:
1 of 23
to unbend, i.e., rise; figuratively, be elated
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεασάμενος
saw
G2300
θεασάμενος
saw
Strong's:
G2300
Word #:
7 of 23
to look closely at, i.e., (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit
τὴς
G3588
τὴς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῇ
unto her
G846
αὐτῇ
unto her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἡ
G3588
Ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποῦ
where
G4226
ποῦ
where
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
15 of 23
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
ἐκεῖνοι
those
G1565
ἐκεῖνοι
those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
17 of 23
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατήγοροί
accusers
G2725
κατήγοροί
accusers
Strong's:
G2725
Word #:
19 of 23
against one in the assembly, i.e., a complainant at law; specially, satan
Historical Context
Without accusers present and with Roman restriction on Jewish capital punishment, the legal case dissolved. But Jesus' question addresses deeper reality - the absence of any human qualified to condemn.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that Christ, the only qualified judge, chooses mercy?
- How does understanding your own guilt before God affect how you treat others?
- Why does Jesus ask about her accusers rather than immediately pronouncing forgiveness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus asks, 'Where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?' This question emphasizes the absence of qualified judges. Human accusers fled before their own guilt, leaving only Christ - who has right to condemn but chooses to save. This moment pictures the gospel: the only righteous Judge offers pardon, not punishment.