The Scandal of No Condemnation
John 8:1–11
“Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” — John 8:11b, KJV
Few moments in Jesus’ ministry so vividly showcase the radical distinction between law and gospel as this one.
A woman is dragged into the temple courts, humiliated and exposed. Caught in the act of adultery. No trial. No defense.
The law is clear: she must die.
The Pharisees, experts in the letter of the law, demand a verdict from Jesus. They think they’ve backed Him into a corner. If He says “don’t stone her,” He’s soft on sin and disobeying Moses. If He says “stone her,” then where’s His compassion?
But Jesus doesn’t play their game and responds in a way that no one expected.
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (v.7)
One by one, the stones drop. The accusers walk away. Only Jesus is left standing. He alone has the right to judge.
And yet He says:
“Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?”
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (vv.10–11)
No condemnation.
The Law Condemns — And That’s the Point
Make no mistake: adultery is sin. The law was not wrong to condemn it. Jesus doesn’t ignore the law—He fulfills it. But here’s the key: the law could condemn her, but it couldn’t change her.
The law is like a mirror, but it can’t clean us. It’s good and holy, but it has no power to save.
And that’s why this moment matters.
If you only hear “go and sin no more” as law, you’ll think Jesus is saying, “I won’t condemn you this time, but don’t let it happen again.”
That’s not gospel. That’s probation.
But Jesus isn’t putting her on probation. He’s declaring her free. Not because she earned it, but because He would soon bear her condemnation Himself.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)
Jesus speaks this word of grace before she does anything to deserve it. Before she repents. Before she changes. Before she proves anything.
Why This Matters for Us
Let’s be honest. Most of us think like Pharisees.
We don’t throw literal stones, but we throw shame and guilt. We measure people by behavior. We assume God’s love is like ours: cautious, conditional, slow to forgive.
Or worse, we live in constant fear that God is just waiting to catch us in sin so He can punish us. We think grace is fragile. We worry He might take it back.
But this scene tells a better story.
Jesus doesn’t flinch at her sin. He doesn’t minimize it. But His word is stronger than the verdict of the law.
And the word He speaks is pardon.
Go in Peace, Not Fear
If you are in Christ, your sin has already been condemned in Him. You’re not on probation. You’re not under review. You’re not being sized up for worthiness.
You are forgiven. Fully. Freely. Finally.
And that’s the only thing strong enough to set you free.
Yes, Jesus calls her to “go and sin no more”—not because grace ignores sin, but because grace transforms sinners. But don’t miss the order: He says, “Neither do I condemn you” before He says, “go and sin no more.”
The law says, change so you can be accepted.
Gospel says, you are accepted—now live in gratitude.