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They Called Her a Whore. Jesus Called Her a “Woman”

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There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 NKJV

He told her he loved her. Said she was beautiful. Promised her she would be special. Next thing she knew she was being dragged out of bed by the friends of him who had dragged her into bed, and he who had praised and flattered her just stood and watched her being dragged away.

Now she was kneeling half naked, humiliated before Jesus. Eyes closed, not wanting to see the stones that would soon be crushing her head, she waited in terror. It seemed like eternity. When would it be over?

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Barely peeking through one eye she sees Jesus doing something in the sand. Not sure what. She hears footsteps as men walk away. What is going on? Then she hears a word she had not heard in years directed at her.

“Woman…”

Jesus didn’t call her a “slut,” or “whore.” He called her “woman.” He was addressing her with the same title of respect that He gave to his own mother, who spoke with angels and gave birth to the Son of God.

“….where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” John 8:10 NKJV

She opens her eyes and looks around. They are all gone! She makes no accusations against the men. We know little about the background of this woman. She may or may not have been a victim of sex trafficking. But we do know that, terrified as she was, she was ready to face the consequences without blaming anyone else for the choices she had made, and the role she had played, which now brought her half-naked and humiliated into the presence of Jesus. Yet incredibly, as guilty as she was, it was her accusers who slunk away. As she lay helpless at His feet, there was no one to condemn her! When we fall helplessly at the feet of Jesus, there is no condemnation for us either. 

He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10 NKJV)

She said, “No one, Lord.” (John 8:11 NKJV)

What was next? A sermon? A lecture? Nowhere is it recorded, but I can imagine Jesus placing His coat over her near-naked body.

The Holy One Who would be hanging naked on a cross in front of the entire universe one day, takes off His robe and covers this woman, protecting her human dignity more than just covering her sexuality.

He doesn’t preach to her. He ministers to her.

Did you know you don’t have to be a preacher to be a minister? Ministering to sinners doesn’t always have to include a sermon. An-ill timed sermon can do more harm than good. Jesus could preach with the best of them, but He knew when to preach and when not to preach. He also knew when to minister.

He called her “woman.” He placed His coat over her near-naked body and gave her the sense of dignity she had been promised by the man who betrayed her trust. Then He did not preach to her with words, He ministered to her with words.

“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11 NKJV

His words were brief and clear, yet somehow we get them mixed up. Have we ever told someone “Go and sin no more, and then I will stop condemning you!” That’s not what Jesus said.

Jesus said clearly, “Neither do I condemn you.” Present tense.

“Go and sin no more.” Future tense.

The world told her they would stop condemning her once she stopped sinning. Jesus promised not to condemn her, so she could stop sinning.

They called her a whore and a slut.
Jesus called her a woman.

A man promised her she would be special, and then humiliated and betrayed her.
Jesus gave her dignity back and made her special. 

There was no condemnation for this woman at the feet of Jesus, and there is no condemnation for you, when you kneel at the feet of Jesus. 

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 NKJV

Jesus does not condemn us, so we too may walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh. 

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They Called Her a Whore. Jesus Called Her a “Woman” — 57 Comments

  1. I believe it is important to note that when Jesus said "Let he without sin throw the first stone" That He was not meaning someone free of sin in general. Remember these men were trying to trick Jesus. However they were wrong even by Levitical law. First the husband was the one to make the accusation, not a bystander. So these men were already in the wrong making a request only the husband could make. (Contrast this with Joseph who was trying to break up with Mary very discreetly so as not to embarrass her.) Secondly it was witnesses who was suppose to do the stoning, and these men were not witnesses they were participants according to Desire of Ages "Among Snares." So when Jesus said let "He without sin" He meant this specific sin. How often do we condemn others when we see our faults in them! So in the New and Old Testament sin must be dealt with, but in a right, loving and redeeming way.

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    • Thank for the above article. Well prepared and it gives a lot of understanding to any reader of any colour or kind to surely see who is Jesus and what is His purpose. Go sin No more will always be our yellow card in life. Those words inspire and give me lots of hope and faith in my saviour.
      Jesus loves everyone and His blood was shade for all bad and good. Finally thank you for this window.

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    • The other obvious issue is that the man who was committing adultery with the woman should also have been brought to Jesus (Leviticus 20:10). When this text is read in its context, it is all about “a man who” not about “a woman who”. So where was he? Perhaps among the accusers?

      How it must sadden the heart of God to see men contriving to hurt the victimized in his name and by his words taken out of the context of his love.

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  2. The story of Jesus compassion and understanding is worth remembering next time I feel the urge to judge someone in the church of not living up to the standards. Or when I feel compelled to ignore someone because they do not have the same educational background as me. Assertive judgment is much easier than compassionate understanding, isn't it? Ouch!

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  3. I have discovered that her accusers, who decided to slunk away, were even more sinful than her. But wait, instead of sitting at the feet of the most compassionate, they run away. I believe that if they could have but waited, they could have gotten mercy too. O God, am I like them?

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    • A very vital observation Victor! Reminds me of those crying for the rocks and stones to fall on them and hide them from the Lamb. Rocks and stones? Hmmmm...anyway I believe according to the chapter "The Feast at Simon's House" in Desire of Ages, Jesus did finally get through to Simon. Hopefully the others as well. Both in front of the temple that morning, and later at Simon's house, Jesus did His best to convict them of their sin without publicly humiliating them. Sin should only be dealt with publicly as a last resort. Remember, in John 2 Jesus worked His first miracle for no other reason than to save the host from public embarrassment.

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  4. Hello Robert, you said the following:
    "Repentance must take place before forgiveness is offered."

    I would like to disagree.
    Forgiveness is always offered first. Repentance may or may not follow. It's up to the guilty party to accept forgiveness (which includes healing) or not.

    I offer for this the common (and correct) observation that God never tells us to forgive only those who are sorry or ask us for forgiveness.

    Finally, I would also like to suggest humbly that the sinner only sees his or her sinfulness as a result of the working of the Holy Spirit on their heart; and not because of the law. The law may condemn all day long, but an unrenewed heart will never sense it.

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    • Let me clarify this more Andrew. If we need to state this in the clearest of terms, the meaning of my comment is in agreement with you. As we read in scripture; the grace of God was "given in Christ Jesus before the world began", which is a promise of forgiveness before there was sin. But pardon cannot benefit the unrepentant heart. When Jesus said to forgive "seventy times seven", He was saying to forgive until the offender no longer repents, which was in reference to the prophecy of Daniel concerning the 70 weeks given to Israel to repent of their transgression against God's covenant with them.

      I believe that forgiveness offered and forgiveness received are two separate issues. The cross is continually offered, but few accept it's terms, meaning few will receive it's cleansing power. In the story we are discussing, Jesus never "forgave" her, meaning that He did not say she had received forgiveness, only that He did not condemn, which was followed by "go and sin no more". I believe the forgiveness came immediately after she confessed and repented. By His very manner during this situation He was offering pardon to her and her accusers, probably praying they would accept it.

      The Holy Spirit speaks "according to the law and the testimony", or how can we tell what spirit it is? God gave the law to condemn sin, and the Holy Spirit is the one promised to "convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment". Paul said clearly that "when the law came, sin revived and I died(was condemned)". They work together wouldn't you say? That is my meaning. I don't separate the two.

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      • Hi George

        Good question. 1 Cor 13:12 tells us the reason why there will be disagreements this side of eternity. However, disagreement does not have to mean disunity. Two people can still be treating each other with love and disagree. It is only when one or both people no longer relate to the other in love that disunity occurs.

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    • Thank you, Andrew.

      You words help to remind me that although the law basically keeps us from destructiveness and sin, repenting and making amends to someone that our sins may have hurt comes from doing Gods will and/or comes from our own hearts and our empathy to our fellow man (God’s Children) rather than being pressured or to get off of the hook in God’s eyes. Prayers to you brother. I pray you are well and happy! God bless

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    • We would need to define that "goodness" though I think it's obvious. He sent the accusers fleeing from themselves and did not condemn the guilty as another witness, which He could not do justly.

      The goodness of God is seen in so many wonderful ways, and will lead us to repentance once we realize how good God is to us. But none of this will forgive or pardon before sin is repented of. Repentance is an act of faith in God's offered pardon which can only be realized once we repent of our sin. Otherwise God's "goodness" would save everyone without needing to repent. Keep reading in Romans to see the balance, along with 1 John 1:9. Also check out Ex 34:5-7.

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      • Read Revelation 2 & 3 to see how important it is to Jesus that we repent. What happens if we don't? Are we forgiven if we don't repent?
        This needs to be rightly understood as the Bible presents it. There is no argument that forgiveness is freely offered, but with conditions.
        The vast majority of mankind will be forever lost by failing to meet the appointed conditions, not for lack of pardon being offered.

        What was Peter's reply to those who asked what they must do to be saved? (Act 2:38)

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      • Robert, Jesus prayed at the cross that the Father would forgive those who killed Him. (Luke 23:34)

        Do you think the Father said NO to that prayer?

        In the story of the Prodigal Son (Lu 15:11-24), it was clear that he had already forgiven the son and rejoiced to see him return. He ran out to meet him and welcome him home before he confessed. In that story, too, the Father's goodness was the basis of repentance - a turning back to the Father's house. I get the distinct impression that the verbal confession wasn't what made the son acceptable to the Father.

        Confession is necessary for us, insofar as it helps convict us of our sin and move us in repentance. And repentance is always in response to the Father's goodness. It is also an acceptance of the pardon already supplied by Christ's death on Calvary.

        In US history there is an interesting judicial record that demonstrates that a pardon is not effective for the criminal unless it is accepted. A prisoner on death row received a presidential pardon, but refused to accept it. The court ruled that the pardon was not effective unless accepted. And the prisoner was executed.

        I believe that's exactly the way it works in our relationship with God:
        Jesus has already provided the pardon, but it is not effective unless we accept it by acknowledging our need (confession) and accepting it (turning back to the Father/i.e. repenting).

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      • Inge, now I know I'm being misunderstood. Yet I think my comments are very clear and you should find no disagreement with any of what you are saying. The very fact that Jesus was on the cross was proof God had offered forgiveness. Jesus was not on the cross to appease God, but placed there by God to reconcile us to Himself. Jesus was the "Lamb of(from) God", remember? Having already seen the future, the very words "Let their be light" were words of offered forgiveness. Who can argue that?
        This discussion comes from the original story of the woman and her accusers, and the fact that Jesus, while not condemning, could not overlook or pardon her sin, as of yet unrepented of.

        The father's forgiveness of the prodigal would have been meaningless if the prodigal had not come home to accept it. He had to "turn around"(repent) to come home and find acceptance. This act on the son's part has no bearing on the fathers part, accept to make it valid. I believe that this is why Jesus did not tell the woman right there that she was forgiven, because without her change of action(repentance) it could not be received. Jesus counsel to "go and sin no more" was a call to repent. What else could it mean? With the paralytic in Mark 2, it is clear he had already repented as Jesus'first words to Him were "Son, your sins are forgiven." You see, Jesus could read every heart and makes no mistakes. Her now public record needed a public show of repentance so God could be glorified. She did so and found salvation and peace.

        Those very people that Jesus asked His father to forgive were among those who asked Peter what they must do to be save, and Peter's reply is recorded for us to realize that while Jesus forgave, they could not be forgiven until repenting of their sin. I don't see why there is difficulty with this Bible truth. Perhaps our understanding of the word "forgiven" is not the same? I don't know. I only know that as long as I cling to a sin, I can find no pardon/forgiveness for it. I see the two words as one. Forgiveness means to remember no more.(Isa 43:25) Yet every sin unrepented of remains in the heavenly record and will condemn the unrepentant. So how is it forgotten(forgiven)? God's forgiveness is only an offer until accepted by the appointed means; repentance. (Prov 28:13)

        Re-read my comments and realize I understand and agree with God offering forgiveness to anyone willing to turn from (repents of) their sin. How can even God forgive (keep no more record of) the sins that have not been repented of, all written in the books of heaven? Sins repented/forsaken are removed from our record, cleansed by Jesus blood. That's why He died. Yet every unrepentant sinner will pay for his own sin at last. Jesus cannot pardon the sin held on too. That would make the law void.

        What were the first words Jesus said when He started to proclaim the Gospel after His baptism and days in the wilderness? (Mark 1:14, 15) God's forgiveness cannot apply to anyone who does not repent, thus showing belief in Christ. This is simple to understand and I am puzzled by the objections being presented by some here. Again what is the urgent message to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3? What are all but two of the churches urged to do? This means the other two have done this, because it is the prerequisite for receiving the pardon of all sin(again, Prov 28:13). Even one small sin clung to will keep the entire life's record of wrong intact. It's all or none. God does not forgive 99%, but 100%. Either we believe in Jesus or we don't. No one in heaven will be only 99% saved...(according to the light they have had available to them. Please, no arguments about "perfection".)

        I sincerely hope this is clear.

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      • Thank you Robert for sharing this vitally important truth. I believe this story is a demonstration of God's salvation plan for us. Jesus with God's unmatchless power commanded the accuser(s) to consider their own guilts and He conveyed to the victim the Hope of Glory that is available to us when we understands the love of. God for us that will move the sinner to choose repentance and therefore will receive forgiveness that leads to eternal joy and true peace. It is also important to keep in mind, that everything Jesus did is of profound demonstration of the Divine salvation plan and was the making of His desibles into fisher of men and the same for us today. Thanks be to God, for His mercy endures forever. Amen!!!

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      • Inge,
        The question about Jesus' prayer is a good one.

        What would you say the answer was?

        Those (Jewish leaders)involved in the crucifixion of Jesus will be singled out for special treatment at the end of time. They will be resurrected to witness Christ's coming on account of the very sin for which Christ prayed for forgiveness (Revelation 1:7). Were they forgiven, but are still required to pay the penalty for the forgiven sin?

        God is willing to forgive even without prayer requests, but He does not impose it. The intent of Jesus' heart, expressed in prayer was not realized, but another prayer was answered; that of the Jews, in particular the leaders, when they prayed in the form of a response to Pilate, "His blood be on us and on our children" (Matthew 27:25). God respects our choice and grants our wish in relation to forgiveness. Otherwise every opportunity we get we should be praying (requesting) for forgiveness of others to 'make sure' (on the basis God has to comply) all sins everywhere are forgiven. God initiates, but the deal is not closed without our conscious positive participation, which seem to be Robert's point.

        We often note and celebrate the grace received by the woman and probably think, "good for those accusers," but it pained Jesus that so many others (accusers) turned away. He loved them just as much, and longed for them to repent. It should do something to us when any turn away, even while we rejoice at the one who repents.

        On a quick note, our forgiveness is not the same as God's. Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7-10). Our forgiveness is really addressing our attitude, so it does not require or depend on the repentance of the offender.

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      • Hugh, I would only differ on the point of our forgiveness; which is to be as God's forgiveness.() This is where we are to reflect Him the most. God's forgiveness brings pardon. This restores the peace between God and the sinner. Our forgiveness to others brings pardon, and restores peace between us and the offender. Forgive means to forget and live as if "it" never happened. NEVER will it come back up in a conversation or influence our actions towards the one forgiven in any way. God has said "I will remember(bring up and remind you of...) your sins no more." This way only can we be found "faultless in the presence of His glory" forever. And if we and the one we have forgiven is there too, we will see them as faultless as well. Forever!

        Sinners forgive like God forgives?!! That is what the Gospel can do! 🙂

        I would add this, since I'm sure it will be pointed out; our forgiving each other does not pardon sin against God. Yes, only God can bring peace between Himself and the sinner. But we can forgive like God in our sphere of influence. By His grace we can treat the forgiven one as God treats us; like a prodigal son who has come home again. Nice story!

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  6. This is a post that reminds me of some of my own history. I know what it is like to be sexually abused. At the tender age of 16, a 47 year old hair dresser knew how to seduce young, pretty girls. A few years later, another womanizer told me I was special and then humiliated me and betrayed me when I found myself pregnant. Yes, I let the man into my apartment. Sexuality and pregnancy were topics I had never discussed with anyone so I didn't know what to do. I thought if I let a man do with me what he wanted, then maybe he would love me. I was love-starved through and through. When the man died, I had to see him in his casket knowing he would no longer hurt any more women or children, and to forgive him in whole, for his part.

    Knowing Jesus loved me gave me value. It didn't come from church members. Realizing that my sin wasn't any worse than any one's else's sin, brought my dignity back. I had struggled with feeling I was a horrible person for decades.

    William, I am very grateful for your God-given insights that you are brave enough to write about difficult topics. You give people acceptance and hope. Thanks so much!

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    • Jane, you are an amazing daughter of God for exposing your experience and maybe helping someone else out there. Yes, in the eyes of God all sins are the same. God bless you!

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    • Sister Jane that is not easy to share with people however God works in you. I am sure someone will be saved by this experience you went through.

      Here is something i wanna share with you from the bible. Two Jesus followers Peter and Judas. These two were not different at all. Both loved Jesus but they became caught in between however it was the Peter's routine that many are unable to to- thus to accept their sins or short comings. Peter asked Jesus to forgive him and Judas became his worst enemy. To forgive and to ask for forgiveness not easy. The two men sins were equal to each other but it was their decisions that made the difference. One was brave and humble to see hismistake as the window of salvation the other condemned himself. Jane you were very brave to forgive the man who did damage to you which i know many will learn a lot about forgiveness performed by our community members like you than alway reading from the bible which i believe many people feel intimidated by reading the bible than their magazines and novels. Some learn by seeing it on others than reading. May God allow your story to save many young girls and boys out there.

      Thank you so much for the article.

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      • Willie,

        My original comment was posted almost four years ago when I had more courage to share some of my story. You are correct that it is not easy to share, because I will never forget what sins I did, which I am not happy about, and I have been ashamed of these things I did. To add to the problem, I know all the pain and suffering my son suffered as he grew up, and I felt it too, but I couldn't fix it at all which made me even more grief stricken.

        You said, "I am sure someone will be saved by this experience you went through." I have not thought of that and what a great encouragement this is to me. This is so meaningful to me and brings tears to my eyes. No one has given me this kind of encouragement about my story helping someone else. In fact, some Christian people have told me not to tell my story because it brought embarrassment to them. That shamed me even more.

        Willie, thank you for your comment and for giving me hope that God may use my story someday to help others. This is a huge blessing to me today!

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        • Sister Jane remember what makes people not to repent is
          1) fear of the unknown

          2) they think what will people say?

          3) the feel embarrassment before anything else

          4) in God we learn the truth nothing more however the world feeling tells us the opposite

          5) when a person accepts Jesus he becomes a new creature remember all past is gone so denial and having no faith is our worst enemy

          6) if you believe a sin is a sin big or small then you understand what is repentence. Imagine how many die with unrepented sin becsuse they did not find time to share with others. So fear again comes into play.

          7) lack of hope( its good to have a dream to reach for than none) to share is 100% proof of hope.

          8) do we trust ourselves (being true to yourself is setting yourself free from anything that lives as a scar in your life. ( once more not easy to share )

          9) self belief this too is our main enemy in our everyday life. Without belief you will never accomplish anything in life. The story of the woman with the blood issue she knew and believed that if i can touch His garment i will be well. Imagine what was in her mind before she knew about Jesus coming in town.

          10) honestly this last one is the one that conquers all LOVE sharing is LOVE. And when love leads no fear, no unsettledness, no worry, no secrets, no past, no doubt, no feeing embarrassed, no stress, no feeling humiliation at all. For God so loved the word such that Christ died the death of criminals by hanging.

          Your story inspires me to do my best to share share share and do it more and more. Sharing opens not only people's eyes but hearts too. Wait you will see what God will do with your story Him works quietly and miraculously.

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  7. Melinda, there would have been no need for the test since there were more than two eye witnesses to her sin. There would be no need prove something already established.

    Repentance is the act of sinning no more, or turning from sin. It is the goodness of God that leads to this repentance, the goodness that Jesus demonstrated toward this woman. As for requiring an intercessor, how did Enoch live sinless? Moses for nearly 40 years? Noah, Job, Daniel? There was not yet an Intercessor. Faith is the victory as we believe and act on the exceeding precious promises of God whereby we become partakers of His divine nature. This comes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the same power Jesus lived by as one of us, as well as all others who will live the victorious life by faith.

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  8. This really revived me I was ready to give up on myself thinking acceptance was far within my reach god exalts amen (;!!!!

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  9. Your exactly right..I grew up with A mother that rarely showed emotion or love not that Im blaming my child hood because clearly I made my own decisions..As A teenager til now I spent my life looking for love in the wrong places always getting with men that reflected my bad self esteem. Men with addiction,abusive who always told me the right things and I thought I could help them overcome their problems and it always ended in hurt.

    Now I'm A single mother of 6 children, 5 different fathers.. I never cheated on any man that I was with, but I did have premarital sex and I wasn't as choosy as I should have been after time I always realized I couldn't live with their addictions or lifestyle and that they wouldnt change just to choose another man with the sane issues. I think self consciously I thought I couldnt find better and after every abusive one I felt worse about myself. I was naive and quick to be in A relationship with anyone who said they loved me instead of examining their actions.

    All of my childrens fathers are men with addiction problems or other problems I couldn't live with. Now I'm older doing all I can to show all my children the love they deserve and trying to teach them askmake better decisions then I did. I work hard and provide for all of them and show them all of my love they've always lived with me and its been hard but I still feel that God has been merciful.It could be worse.Ive made it out of every bad situation. I've turned to Jesus and asked for forgiveness for my bad judgment,for being easy and for looking for love in men, when I should have looked for love in Christ.

    Please pray for me Im trying my best to live A better life and give my children the future they deserve. I thank God everyday for the blessings he has already given me and Im praying he will continue to have mercy on me.. I pray someday god will present me A husband that is A good person and tries to be Christian if Im worthy. Sometimes I think my relationships are doomed and Im going to be lonely and single forever. I pray for guidance. I know we serve A merciful God reading these gives me more hope and faith.

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  10. Thanks William for another wonderful illustration of Christ's love for us that we could never deserve or earn.

    I would note that the woman was forgiven without being required to first repent... "while she was yet a sinner" (Romans 5:8).

    Repentance comes as a gift from God just like forgiveness of sin does (2 Timothy 2:25; Acts 11:18; Acts 5:31; Romans 2:4). Thus, the doctrine that sin is not forgiven until after repentance is a false doctrine as both forgiveness and repentance are gifts of grace (see "and" in Acts 5:31).

    Like Saul of Tarsus, who was brought to repentance by Jesus Himself, this woman came to repentance because of Christ's love and grace, not as a condition for it.

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    • Sieg, when you say the woman was forgiven before she repented, what do you mean?

      1. That forgiveness was offered "while she was yet a sinner"?

      2. She was now acquitted and stood sinless before God, while not having repented?

      The Bible teaches that we receive forgiveness when we confess/repent, though it is offered "continually" to the sinner in Christ. God told Moses that He(God) "will by no means clear the guilty", yet He forgives "iniquity, transgression and sin". The guilty are those who refuse or neglect to repent and be converted. As Peter taught while filled with the Holy Ghost, there is no blotting out of our sin without repentance.

      When Jesus told this woman "neither do I condemn you", it was an offer of pardon, but only upon repentance. He also had said prior to this that He did not come into the world to condemn, but to save through His own death for sin. That being done, He is now in heaven judging all who professed faith in Him, yet He cannot pardon one unrepentant sinner.

      Jesus then told this woman, "go and sin no more", which was a direct call for her to "repent and believe the gospel"(Mark 1:15), which Jesus was always faithful to do when ministering to sinners. It is our greatest need to repent and believe. There is no salvation without it. Had this woman already received justification from her sins, why would Jesus call her to repent("go and sin no more")?

      God can save no one without their consent and cooperation. If we do not believe in Jesus(who taught all to repent), we must die in our sins (John 8:24).

      Lastly, Jesus did not need to condemn this woman, as she had condemned herself(as all do) by her actions that violated the Law of God which is the standard of Judgment. She already knew she was guilty. Though not found in the account as recorded by John, in the Desire of Ages, Ellen writes that this woman, now freed from her accusers and invited by Jesus to "go and sin no more(repent)", bowed at the feet of Jesus and confessed her sins. She then wrote: "This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers."

      In this story, did you notice Jesus' offer of pardon to her accusers? How merciful is our Savior!

      It's a false notion that repentance earns anything. Repentance is how we RECEIVE the free offer of grace. Repentance is the exercising of faith in Christ. No one is pardoned in the judgment without repentance.

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      • Robert. Please study the Gospel. You couldn't be more wrong in your post above. It is another attempt at legalistic salvation and like all other versions of "saved by works," it is false. Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners" not "after we repent for our sins." If we accept that pardon, we are saved.

        Once saved, we will stand before Him in awe of his unconditional love. We will regret how our sin has hurt Him. We will want only to love Him back and please Him in every way. That is when he gives us the gift of repentance. Simple enough for a child to understand (Matthew 18:3).

        Your statement: "Repentance is how we RECEIVE the free offer of grace."

        I have no idea what that even means.

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        • Sieg, I would ask you to give some scriptural support for your belief that justification(our sins forgiven and no longer on our record) proceeds repentance. If you wish for my reasons in believing as I do, consider the following:

          Acts 2:38; 3:19,
          Ps 32:1-5(particularly vs 5);
          Ps 66:18(regarding iniquity reveals lack of repentance),
          1 John 1:9(perhaps the most obvious passage that reveals how we cannot be forgiven without confessing/repenting)
          Rev 2:5 (explain this passage in reference to this topic)

          Every time Jesus said: "go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you", what does this mean if one is already justified before repenting of sin?

          Study also the sin and trespass offerings in Leviticus.

          Being offered forgiveness is not forgiveness, and cannot blot out our sins if we continue in them(unrepentant). God has offered forgiveness to the whole world, yet the vast majority of the world will be lost, whom Ellen often refers to as "the unrepentant".

          Perhaps you (and Inge) could explain the meaning of Jesus message to sinners summed up in Mark 1:15? Why is Jesus calling sinners to repent if they are already forgiven?

          Lastly, just a few brief quotes from Ellen(easy to find the reference if you look):

          “Except ye repent,” said Jesus, “ye shall all likewise perish.” (AA)

          "If we are to have pardon for our sins, we must first have a realization of what sin is, that we may repent and bring forth fruits meet for repentance." (FW)

          " It was that through His merits and the exercise of repentance and faith the most guilty sinner might receive pardon and obtain strength to live a life of obedience." (FW)

          Read Chapter 14 (only 2 pages) of "Faith and Works".

          p.s. Repentance must be genuine, as defined by the scriptures, and is not something we can do of ourselves, yet we are given the choice to exercise repentance or not. If repentance is lacking, how can anyone be saved, regardless of all that God offers the sinner through Christ?

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          • Hi Robert. Please read 2 Samuel 12:13 carefully. God put away David's multiple sins before he repented.

            Salvation by works (repentance or any other works) is a false teaching and directly contradicts the righteousness by faith Gospel message.

            Please carefully read Ephesians 2:8-9. Then note what you would have it say instead.

            "For it is by repentance you have been saved, by works, so that everyone who repents can boast."

            Then read Romans 4:5 and note that it is faith that is counted as righteousness (no mention of "repentance is counted as righteousness").

            Nothing we do can save us... nothing. Once we accept the gift of salvation (given by grace), God makes us a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV) and creates in us a new heart of flesh to replace our self-centered heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). With this new heart comes new fruit, one of which is humble repentance.

            "If repentance is lacking, how can anyone be saved..." Your question exemplifies what you are missing. We are saved by Grace through faith. Read it again for yourself (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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          • I hope this point clarifies that forgiveness cannot be conditional on repentance (works).

            As Willie SHONGA pointed out below, Jesus paid for and pardoned our sins before we born... before we even committed those sins... before we were alive to repent.

            Another way to look at this. The Bible tells us that God will forgive us AS we forgive others (Mark 11:25-26; Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 6:12; Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32).

            If we only forgave others AFTER they repented to us, we would fail to forgive many, perhaps most others... we couldn't forgive those who have died... we couldn't forgive those who don't realize they have sinned against us... we couldn't forgive the drunk driver who died when he struck our car and killed our family member.

            No, friends, we are to have mercy (James 2:13; Luke 6:36) and forgive whether others repent to us or not... the same mercy and forgiveness that God gives us. The alternative makes no sense.

            We cannot possibly remember every single sin we have ever committed in order to repent for it. Moreover, we rationalize and deny many of our sins (and thus feel no need to repent). We have committed so many sins in our heart (e.g., Matthew 5:28), we would have to spend the rest of our lives on our knees to repent for every single sin.

            Moses asked God to forgive the rebellious Israelites whose iniquities far outnumbered the animals they could use for sin offerings. This while they were still in sin, before they repented. And... God forgave (Numbers 14:19-20).

            Christ forgave them all at the cross. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

            Accept that. Believe it. Know that since God gave us forgiveness in Christ, it is true... it is ours... if only we believe.

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        • Hi Robert. I want to apologize for how I came across in my post above. It was rude and I regret it. Peace brother 🙂

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      • Robert, I wonder about your definition of "repentance." Somehow your comment sounds like repentance is a work that needs to be done in order to earn forgiveness. Yet you state the contrary. As I understand it, repentance is a gift of God that is given to all who are sorry for their sin in light of God's love for them. And it seems to me that the woman caught in adultery was sorry for her sin when she fell at Christ's feet. That's what I call repentance.

        However, it is interesting that Christ said, "Neither do I condemn you" before she showed any sign of repentance. I note you quote from the Desire of Ages, but you omitted the two previous sentences:

        "'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.' Her heart was melted, and she cast herself at the feet of Jesus, sobbing out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessing her sins." Desire of Ages, page 462

        Furthermore, the words some see as recognition of her guilt/self-condemnation and exhortation to "sin no more," Ellen White describes as an "act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a better life" and "words of comfort and hope." That seems to me like a wholly different reading than some see.

        It seems to me that she sees "Neither do I condemn you" as "an act of pardoning - in line with what William and Sieg wrote.

        I see His words "Go and sin no more" as words of encouragement and hope - that she, the profligate sinner, actually could "go an sin no more" by His grace. I believe William got it right when He wrote,

        The world told her they would stop condemning her once she stopped sinning. Jesus promised not to condemn her, so she could stop sinning.

        I'm also puzzled by the statement, "In this story, did you notice Jesus' offer of pardon to her accusers?" Please help me there, because I don't see it "in this story."

        Your comment seems to turn the story upside down. With whom do your sympathies lie? (In my mind's eye, I see her accusers slinking away because they are condemned in Christ's presence, while the woman rises up with hope-filled eyes and gazes with love upon her Savior.)

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        • In today's world there is what they call handing yourself in if you committed a crime. In the christian world is to repent to the most high judge free not only for your freedom but salvation.

          Jesus on this case He made it clear that no sinner can be condemned by another sinner thus lesson number one,

          2) Jesus did not want both parties to feel condemned the reason he acted in a clever manner not infringing on anyone.

          3) He knew did not have anyone on her side it was clear death to the woman was imminent.

          4) trying to debate the issue was going to be like dancing with a big in the mud. The pig enjoys mud yet you fear being dirty. Jesus made them taste their own medicine.

          Forgiveness comes from the bottom of the heart and repentence is from the bottom of the heart too. All equal however repentance you activate from your side being forgiven comes from the other party.

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        • Inge, perhaps my reply above will help answer your questions.

          You do not see Jesus offering the accusers pardon as well as the woman? They left on their own after He reminded them of their need to repent. He did this in a manner that the crowd did not comprehend. This is nothing less than the mercy of God being extended to these poor sinners. Jesus was not accusing them, but only reminded them, in a discreet manner. (Like the woman, they accused themselves by their own actions.) What else could this be than an offer of forgiveness? Had Jesus not been forgiving towards them He would have exposed them to the public and most likely ruined their lives.

          Again, Jesus offered the woman pardon/forgiveness, but until she repented of her sins, the offer would be meaningless in the judgment that will come to every soul. In the end, it is only "whosoever believes in Him" that shall be saved(John 8:24). Yet all have been offered forgiveness.

          So how is repentance not important to RECEIVING forgiveness? Why was the sum of Jesus' message: "Repent and believe the Gospel", if repentance is not needed to be forgiven?

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          • I believe that repentance is a foundational biblical subject, but it not the point of this story. Rather, the point is Christ's generous love and forgiveness and the dignity he bestowed on one poor outcast of society.

            I asked,

            I'm also puzzled by the statement, "In this story, did you notice Jesus' offer of pardon to her accusers?" Please help me there, because I don't see it "in this story."

            I find no reply to my specific question regarding *this* story, but only a continuation along the line of your original argument in your response. Again, let me suggest that this story says nothing about an "offer of pardon to her accusers." If you can show me otherwise, I stand to be corrected. Please don't distort my question to make it appear that I said that her accusers could not be pardoned.

            This story is also not about the chronological order of repentance and pardon. According to the story, Christ said, "Neither do I condemn you" before the woman showed any sign of repentance. And Ellen White followed the story line better than you appear to do when she wrote:

            "'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.' Her heart was melted, and she cast herself at the feet of Jesus, sobbing out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessing her sins." Desire of Ages, page 462

            It seems to me that a recognition of one's sinful condition and helplessness is the basis of repentance, and clearly the woman recognized that, and she was pardoned. It was then that "she cast herself at the feet of Jesus, sobbing out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessing her sins."

            Perhaps, living in the age of Laodicea, we would do well to learn that lesson, rather than seeing ourselves "in need of nothing." We are all sinful and helpless and in need of pardon. The Good News is that Christ has already provided our pardon. All we need to do is to accept it, as Sieg pointed out in his comment.

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        • Good evening,

          Here is what i want to contribute on this statement Jesus made " neither do i condemn you"

          Let us follow our scriptures very well. If God is love what about Jesus? Lets not forget no matter how big or how small a sin might be Jesus paid for it. Mean whether repentence or not the sins where paid for ages ago.

          Repentence is a choice to every living mankind. The important thing sorrounding repentence is do you believe that Jesus died for you and me. He paid for our sins before them being committed or before repentence. Which mean repentence becomes our action plan. Its like someone books a hotel for you and give you all details to go holiday however you have to show up at the hotel to dine there. It is our duty to show up at the cleansing pool. Bitumus showed up the woman of the issue of blood showed up. So we need to put an effort to repentence so as to win salvation.

          Have a look at the below scriptures

          But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, he is guilty of an eternal sin.” (Mark 3:29)

          “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39)

          There is some clear explanation that Jesus is love so He will never condemn anyone as he love as they are. Repentence is our part.

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    • I thank you all for your contributions on this window it changes our lives honestly. Being forgiven or to learn to forgive is road that builds faith in an area of life we live in. Just a warning from your boss at work without being sucked from your job isn't it makes you feel good? Whatmore being forgiven wow!

      Look at one of the thieves on the cross with Jesus? He he knew for him it was game over however he seized the opportunity to salvation. And again we see Jesus perform the unthinkable to our level of understanding He say today you will be with me at my father's party. (Today) not tomow. The same these two He didn't ask about their past. Endless love. The world condemned the woman the heaven conquered by only love not actions. I love that story so much.

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  11. Thanks so much William. With your permission I will share this article and also Jane’s story in my presentation next Wednesday night at church. You see this week’s lesson is very special to me not because I have been condemned but because I have done a lot of condemning as a SDA. When I met Jesus about 15 years ago (after being an Adventist for 25 years) the scales fell from my eyes. He showed me my true self and how much He loved me anyway as well as all the others I had condemned. I think I cried for about a month at the “marvelous grace of our loving Lord”. I tear up now just remembering that time. Yes, you are right. God does deal with sin. But in a loving respectful manner and a public calling out is a last resort and even that is a loving act I believe. I will entitle the presentation, How God Deals With Sin. Thanks again.

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    • Eudora, what a lesson we all must learn, that God loves others as much as He loves us, and is just as merciful to others as He is to us. Everything on SSNET is public and you do not need to ask for permission to share, but thank you for giving credit to the writer, as that is a general Internet integrity issue beyond myself and SSNET

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    • Eudora,

      What a blessing your comment is! No one has wanted to share my story and I have been quite tight lipped about my story because of the shame I have suffered, both from the sins I committed, and from the shame Christians have heaped on me.

      Praise God for your own experience and for being able to be honest. That is a powerful lesson for Christians to hear and may God bless you as you share your own story. Thank you for your comment!

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  12. Thanks for bringing this story home so nicely.
    It is clear that they were no better than the man they caught, and never care about the woman. They wanted to condemn Jesus because he was good. They never recognized Jesus as Lord.... the woman did. Saying that her accusers where gone, was her acknowledging that Jesus was not an accuser. Instead of runing away, she stayed, and gived Jesus her sin and her Guilt.
    Thank God for Jesus.

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  14. William,

    Thank you for reposting this article. My husband used it in his sermon last Sabbath because it fits right in with our Sabbath School lesson. It's still one of my favorite posts of yours and it still shares the Love of God for us.

    Jesus calling the lady, "woman" means a great deal to me.

    You said, "Then He did not preach to her with words, He ministered to her with words.“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11 NKJV

    Those words are continuing to minister to me. They never grow old.

    Thanks again!

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  16. As a former promiscuous "lost" person, this article really spoke to me.

    All the glory is owed to our Savior, who gives us strength and shows us the way.

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  17. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23.

    I find Jesus' encounters with sinful women most edifying. Jesus loved them and extended mercy without succumbing to temptations to lust. Hebrews 4:12-16. The suggestion, that Jesus may well have put his coat around the woman caught in adultery, is beautiful. Many of us weak human men might have been tempted to gratify our lusts - especially the prostitute with her perfume in Luke 7.

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  18. Right, great observation, yet we know he did not call her anything else, like a whore, because; "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17.

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