John Chapter 8 · Verse 9
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπὸ
by
G5259
ὑπὸ
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
5 of 30
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνειδήσεως
their own conscience
G4893
συνειδήσεως
their own conscience
Strong's:
G4893
Word #:
7 of 30
co-perception, i.e., moral consciousness
καθ'
G2596
καθ'
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
11 of 30
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἀπὸ
at
G575
ἀπὸ
at
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
14 of 30
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέρων
the eldest
G4245
πρεσβυτέρων
the eldest
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
16 of 30
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
ἕως
even unto
G2193
ἕως
even unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
17 of 30
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατελείφθη
was left
G2641
κατελείφθη
was left
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
21 of 30
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
24 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:22For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.Romans 2:15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)1 John 3:20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.Romans 2:22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?John 8:10When 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?Psalms 50:21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.Psalms 71:13Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.Psalms 40:14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.Job 20:5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?Job 20:27The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.
Historical Context
The elders leaving first may reflect greater self-awareness that comes with age, or greater sense of accumulated guilt. The departure of all accusers leaves Jesus as sole qualified judge.
Questions for Reflection
- What does conscience conviction accomplish that mere argument cannot?
- How does recognizing your own sin increase compassion for others?
- Why is Jesus the only qualified judge of humanity?
Analysis & Commentary
Convicted by conscience, the accusers leave one by one, oldest first - perhaps those with longest lives had most accumulated guilt. Their departure proves Jesus' point: none are sinless, none qualified to execute judgment. Only the woman and Jesus remain - the only sinless One, the only qualified Judge, alone with the guilty. This sets up grace's triumph.