John 8:11

The woman answers coyly, “No one, Sir. No one but you.” Jesus tenderly declares, “Well, I do not condemn you either; go on and stop choosing to live in sin.” John 8:11 EFP 

The answer to the first question is easy, “They are gone, Sir.”  The answer to second is troubling, “No one, Sir.” But there is an unstated nuance to that response. There was still Jesus. He remains to condemn her. Even if the words of Scripture do not contain the words, the implication clear in Jesus response, “I do not condemn you either.”

“I do not condemn you either.” Those six words carry a wallop. Read Romans 8, and in the crescendo leading up to the classic text at the end of the chapter, the Apostle Paul asks a series of almost rhetorical questions regarding those who would accuse or condemn God’s chosen. Those words resonate with Jesus’ declaration, “I do not condemn you either.” First of all, he did not come into the world to condemn it (John 3:17). But the second concept is just as powerful. No one else can condemn you. They have no power over you. They cannot touch you. 

That’s why Jesus uses the word “either.” In the presence of the Sinless Savior, who just happens to be the Just Judge and Absolute Advocate of the penitent, no one dares remain to accuse and condemn me. Their testimony falls by the wayside. Their diatribes against me, when I come to Jesus (or am brought to Jesus) have no power over me. It’s Jesus and me against the world and the prince of darkness. They stand no chance.