Bible Strands
John 8:9
When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus stands before a crowd and a condemned woman after bending to write on the ground again. The accusers, who brought the woman to him, depart one by one as the confrontation concludes.
The words — συνειδὴσεως (suneidēseōs) and ἐλεγχόμενοι (elegchomenoi) describe the accusers being convicted by their own conscience. This Greek phrasing marks the internal reckoning that triggers their physical departure.
The thread — The mechanism of conscience driving conviction appears in Ecclesiastes 7:22, Romans 2:15, and 1 John 3:20. These passages trace how internal moral awareness operates independently of external judgment.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that self-conviction precedes external accountability. It demands honest assessment of one's own conduct before offering judgment to others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 7:22 For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
- Romans 2:15 So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
- 1 John 3:20 Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
- Genesis 42:21 Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
- Romans 2:22 You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
- Job 5:12 He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.
- Psalms 71:13 May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.
- John 8:10 Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
- 1 Kings 2:44 The king also said, “You know in your heart all the evil that you did to my father David. Therefore the LORD will bring your evil back upon your head.
- 1 Kings 17:18 “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”