John 8:9

“And they which heard it, etc.] Not all, not the disciples of Christ, nor the multitude, but the Scribes and Pharisees: being convicted by their own conscience; that they were not without sin, nor free from this; they had a beam in their own eye, who were so forward to observe the mote in another’s; and oftentimes so it is, that those who are most forward to reprove, and bear hardest on others for their sins, are as culpable in another way, if not in the same; when sin lies at the door, and conscience is awakened and open, it is as good as a thousand witnesses; and lets in, and owns the sin which lies heavy, and makes sad work; and fills with anguish, confusion, and shame, as it did these…”

“they . . . convicted . . . went out one by one . . . Jesus was left alone--that is, without one of her accusers remaining; for it is added. the woman in the midst--that is, of the remaining audience. While the trap failed to catch Him for whom it was laid, it caught those who laid it. Stunned by the unexpected home thrust, they immediately made off--which makes the impudence of those impure hypocrites in dragging such a case before the public eye the more disgusting.”

“Beginning at the eldest - As being conscious of more sins, and, therefore, being desirous to leave the Lord Jesus. The word “eldest” here probably refers not to age, but to benefit - from those who were in highest reputation to the lowest in rank. This consciousness of crime showed that the state of the public morals was exceedingly corrupt, and justified the declaration of Jesus that it was an adulterous and wicked generation, Matthew 16:4. Alone - Jesus only was left with the woman, etc. In the midst - Her accusers had gone out, and left Jesus and the woman; but it is by no means probable that the people had left them; and, as this was in the temple on a public occasion, they were…”

“Beginning at the eldest - Or the elders. Jesus was left alone - By all those scribes and Pharisees who proposed the question. But many others remained, to whom our Lord directed his discourse presently after. John 8:10”

“8:9 The jury crumbled as they slipped away. One accuser departed, followed by another, and then a succession of bystanders.”

“being: Gen 42:21, Gen 42:22; Kg1 2:44, Kg1 17:18; Psa 50:21; Ecc 7:22; Mar 6:14-16; Luk 12:1-3; Rom 2:15, Rom 2:22; Jo1 3:20 went out: Job 5:12, Job 5:13, Job 20:5, Job 20:27; Psa 9:15, Psa 9:16, Psa 40:14, Psa 71:13; Luk 13:17 alone: Joh 8:2, Joh 8:10, Joh 8:12 John 8:10”