John 8:11
What does John 8:11 mean?
A plain-English look at John 8:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 8:11 means
Hearing “No man, Lord,” Jesus declares, “Neither do I condemn thee,” and adds, “from henceforth sin no more.” He neither trivializes her sin nor crushes her with judgment. Mercy precedes the call to holiness; grace empowers change. He does not reverse the Law’s moral verdict but withholds punitive condemnation, pointing her to a new path. The One qualified to cast the first stone chooses to forgive and transform. This is not permission but pardon with purpose. The encounter displays the heart of His mission: to save sinners and lead them out of darkness. Forgiveness becomes the seedbed of a transformed life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]
KJV
King James Version · 1611She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.]
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, And I do not give a decision against you: go, and never do wrong again.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and she said, `No one, Sir;' and Jesus said to her, `Neither do I pass sentence on thee; be going on, and no more sin.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And she said, No one, sir. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Context
This verse concludes the episode of the woman taken in adultery and transitions the chapter from a legal trap to Jesus’ broader self-revelation as the Light of the World. It provides a lived example of how His light exposes sin yet brings grace, not destruction. Immediately after, Jesus addresses the gathered people again with a sweeping claim about His identity. The mercy and moral clarity shown here prepare readers for His later teaching on freedom from sin, true discipleship, and the difference between external religion and genuine relationship with God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 17:9
and thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days: and thou shalt inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment.
- Deuteronomy 16:18
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
- Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
- John 3:17
For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
- Luke 5:32
I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
- Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Jehovah. Return ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
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