The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”

“No one, Master.”

“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” John 8:10-11

The plotters and accusers left without throwing the first or any other stone, perhaps a bit wiser for the experience. Jesus speaks to the woman after they’ve gone, then sends her back to her life without judgement or condemnation – just telling her not to sin from now on. What could have been a bloody death becomes a second chance at a better life.

I wonder, who needed the second chance more – the woman dragged in for adultery or the ones who did the dragging? I also wonder, of those walking away, who left the wiser?