And they, when they heard it, went out one by one, beginning from the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst.
Shame drove them out, not repentance. A single word pierced their consciences and put these hypocrites to flight, but true repentance would have sent them to God's judgment seat to beg forgiveness, not away from His presence. Their guilty consciences worked on them, yes, but conscience and contrition are not the same thing.
AI summary
The trap meant for Christ caught those who laid it instead. Stunned by His thrust, they fled one by one, and their impudence in dragging such a case before the public eye, while they themselves were steeped in the very crime, stands exposed as utterly disgusting.
AI summary
She saith, no man, Lord,.... No man said a word to me, or lift up his hand against me, or moved a stone at me: and Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee; Christ came not into the world to act the part of a civil magistrate, and therefore refused to arbitrate a case, or be concerned in dividing an inheritance between two brethren, Luk 12:13.