Bible Commentaries

were departed

Having gently removed His servant's doubt, the Lord bears witness to him before others: He knows when to reprove, and where, and when, to praise.

sinners Sin.

(See Scofield "Romans 3:23")

sinner

i.e. in the sense of unchaste.

Simon

See James 2:14-26. When Jesus would justify the woman in the eyes of Simon, He points to her works, for only through her works could Simon see the proof of her faith; but when He would send the woman away in peace, He points to her faith, not her works. See; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:4-8. His own works can never be to the believer his own ground of assurance, which must rest upon the work of Christ (cf. Matthew 7:22; Matthew 7:23). See "Assurance"; Isaiah 32:17; Judges 1:1.