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G361 · Greek · New Testament
ἀναμάρτητος
anamartētos
Adjective
anamartētos; without sin; sinless

Definition

The Greek adjective anamartētos (G361) means "without sin" or "free from sin." It appears once in the New Testament in John 8:7, where Jesus challenges the accusers of the woman caught in adultery: "Let any one of you who is anamartētos be the first to throw a stone at her."

The word combines an- (without) + hamartia (sin), and in Greek literature it could mean either "having not sinned" (sinless) or "not being liable to sin's penalty."

Usage & Theological Significance

Jesus' use of anamartētos in John 8:7 is one of the most dramatic moments in the Gospels. One by one, her accusers left — convicted by their own consciences. The question was impossible to answer honestly in the affirmative.

The irony is deep: the only truly anamartētos person present was Jesus Himself — and He did not throw a stone, not because He lacked the right, but because He came to save, not condemn (John 3:17). He who alone could condemn chose to forgive. This scene is a living parable of the gospel: the sinless One bears the weight of accusation so that the guilty can go free.

Key Bible Verses

John 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
John 8:9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

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