What Does John 8:10 Mean in the King James?
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse refuses to collapse a public accusation into a final verdict.
THE MEANING
You are seen apart from the accusing crowd. The question keeps a charge and a condemning verdict distinct: accusation does not, by itself, settle who you are.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
An accusation from others has already settled who you are.
THE ROOT
κατέκρινεν
katekrinen
GROWS FROM
κριν- (krin-), from κρίνω (krinō)
To distinguish, decide, or judge; with κατά (kata, against), to judge against.
“condemned” in this verse is katekrinen. The word names a verdict made against someone, not an identity inherent in them. Its family includes the act of judging, the judge, and the judgment itself, so the question asks whether the accusation has become a sentence.
ALSO GROWS
krisis: judgment or decision
κρίσις
It shows the act of deciding that lies beneath the question of whether a verdict has been reached.
kritēs: judge
κριτής
It names the one who makes a judgment, keeping the question focused on who has authority to pronounce it.
katakrima: condemnation; a verdict against
κατάκριμα
It makes explicit the condemning outcome that the verb in this verse asks about.
κατήγοροι
katēgoroi
GROWS FROM
ἀγορεύω (agoreuō), with κατά (kata)
ἀγορεύω means to speak in an assembly; κατά adds the sense of speaking against.
“accusers” in this verse is katēgoroi. The word’s formation carries the shape of speaking against in public. The verse then asks whether that public charge has become a verdict: accusation and condemnation are not the same act.
ALSO GROWS
agoreuō: speak publicly or in an assembly
ἀγορεύω
It shows the public speech carried within the word for an accuser.
katēgoria: accusation or charge
κατηγορία
It names the charge itself, clarifying the difference between bringing an accusation and rendering a verdict.
agora: public gathering place or marketplace
ἀγορά
It shares the public setting behind the word’s image of speaking against someone.
THE PATTERN
A spoken charge is not itself the final verdict.
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.THE THREAD
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.The same Greek verb, κατακρίνω (katakrinō), appears when Jesus answers her in the next verse: “Neither do I condemn thee.” The question here opens into that answer, moving from whether anyone has condemned her to Jesus explicitly withholding condemnation.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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