John 8:11

Lord. Gr. kurios, here perhaps simply “sir” (see on eh. 4:1 1). However, it is possible that she had earlier heard of Jesus and knew something of His claims. If so, she might have used the address with deeper significance, in acknowledgment of His position as the Son of God. There is no attempt at defense. There is no plea for forgiveness.

Sin no more. Compare eh. 5:14. “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (eh. 3:17). Jesus’ words came to the trembling woman as words of mercy, in abrupt contrast with the angry words of her accusers. Jesus pointed her to the chief thing for which she stood in need — the immediate forsaking of her sins. Repentance must be honest and sincere. Not only must she be sorry for her sin; she must turn away from it. That repentance which consists in nothing more than feeling, talking, professing, wishing, hoping, is utterly worthless in the sight of God. Until a man ceases to do evil and turns from his sins, he does not really repent (see on Ps. 32:1,6; 1 John 1:7,9).