And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst — the authorities are 'convicted by their own conscience' (elenchthentes), a work of internal judgment. Rather than defend their position, they depart 'one by one, beginning at the eldest.' The eldest leave first, perhaps a sign of greatest conviction or recognition that they cannot maintain their moral position. The description is psychologically penetrating: conscience (syneidēsis) operates where Law cannot. Jesus is left alone with the woman—the accusers are gone, and the trap is broken.

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