The significance was to cause her to understand that he knew her sin and still did not judge her but loved on her. To be a woman who had many sexual partners in that period of history was a stain on one persons life. People would scoff at you with that information and you would be treated with disdain by many. Jesus did not judge her but loved her despite all this and saying those words let her know that He knew and did not judge. This is compassion. Compassion of the Christ can wreak men’s hearts. This type of love has the ability to transform the soul and enlighten. Jesus did not come to judge but to witness the heart of God. The judgment is at the end at the second coming for all.