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But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now they were saying this testing Him, so that they might have grounds to accuse Him. But Jesus, having stooped down, began writing with His finger on the ground. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have evidence to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And this they said, trying him, that they might have whereof to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They asked Jesus this question, because they wanted to test him and bring some charge against him. But Jesus simply bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And this they said, tempting him, that they might have whereof to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They asked this to test him. They wanted to find a reason to bring charges against him. Jesus bent down and used his finger to write on the ground. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger. <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> They said this to test him, so that they might have a charge against him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger, not taking notice. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now they said this to test him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They asked this in order to put Him to the test, so that they might have some charge to bring against Him. But Jesus leant forward and began to write with His finger on the ground. <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And this they said, trying Him, that they might have to accuse Him. And Jesus, having stooped down, with the finger He was writing on the ground, <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now they were saying this testing Him, so that they might have grounds to accuse Him. But Jesus, having stooped down, began writing with His finger on the ground. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and this they said, trying him, that they might have to accuse him. And Jesus, having stooped down, with the finger he was writing on the ground, <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And this said they, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. And Jesus, having stooped down, wrote with his fingers upon the earth.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But they were saying this to test him, so that they might be able to accuse him. Then Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the earth. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> They said this to tempt him, that they might have a cause to accuse him. While Jesus was bent down, he was writing on the ground. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “What therefore do you say?” This they said, as they were tempting him, so that they might have something for which to accuse him.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> This they said to tempt him, that they might bring an accusation against him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But this they said, trying to entrap him, that they might have ground of accusation against him. But Jesus stooping down, with his finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> they said this only to ensnare him, that they might have some accusation against him, but Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They asked this in order to put Him to the test, so that they might have some charge to bring against Him. But Jesus leant forward and began to write with His finger on the ground. <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> This they said, trying Him, that they might have whereof to accuse Him. But Jesus, having stooped down, was writing with His finger on the ground. <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> This they said to tempt Him, that they might have something to accuse Him of. But Jesus stooping down, wrote with his finger upon the ground. <a href="/parallel/john/8-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2719" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">The Woman Caught in Adultery</a> …5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” 6<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegon (V-IIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">They said</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirazontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">to test</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him,</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">in order</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echōsin (V-PSA-3P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">to have a basis</a> <a href="/greek/2723.htm" title="2723: katēgorein (V-PNA) -- To accuse, charge, prosecute. From kategoros; to be a plaintiff, i.e. To charge with some offence.">for accusing</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2955.htm" title="2955: kypsas (V-APA-NMS) -- To bend, stoop down, bow the head. Probably from the base of kuma; to bend forward.">bent</a> <a href="/greek/2736.htm" title="2736: katō (Adv) -- (a) down, below, also: downwards, (b) lower, under, less, of a length of time. Also katotero; adverb from kata; downwards.">down</a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: kategraphen (V-IIA-3S) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">and began to write</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēn (N-AFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">ground</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">with</a> <a href="/greek/1147.htm" title="1147: daktylō (N-DMS) -- A finger. Probably from deka; a finger.">His finger.</a> 7When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Exodus 31:18</a> When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. <a href="/deuteronomy/9-10.htm">Deuteronomy 9:10</a> Then the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, inscribed by the finger of God with the exact words that the LORD spoke to you out of the fire on the mountain on the day of the assembly. <a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Jeremiah 17:13</a> O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water. <a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a> If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. <a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a> If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. <a href="/numbers/5-11.htm">Numbers 5:11-31</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him / by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), ... <a href="/psalms/90-8.htm">Psalm 90:8</a> You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. <a href="/isaiah/42-21.htm">Isaiah 42:21</a> The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to magnify His law and make it glorious. <a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a> We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Micah 7:18-19</a> Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a> Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1-5</a> “Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. / Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? ... <a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8</a> Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. <a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15-18</a> Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words. / They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. / So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ... <a href="/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2-9</a> Some Pharisees came to test Him. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they inquired. / “What did Moses command you?” He replied. / They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.tempting.<a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22</a> Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;<a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Matthew 19:3</a> The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25</a> And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?But.<a href="/john/8-2.htm">John 8:2</a> And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.<a href="/genesis/49-9.htm">Genesis 49:9</a> Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?<a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Jeremiah 17:13</a> O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.as though.<a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Psalm 38:12-14</a> They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long… <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Psalm 39:1</a> To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.<a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Proverbs 26:17</a> He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/5-45.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/john/5-45.htm">Accusing</a> <a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Basis</a> <a href="/luke/24-5.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/luke/16-24.htm">Finger</a> <a href="/john/5-6.htm">Floor</a> <a href="/john/8-4.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/john/6-11.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/luke/23-22.htm">Grounds</a> <a href="/luke/23-38.htm">Head</a> <a href="/john/7-51.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/8-4.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Leant</a> <a href="/john/6-28.htm">Order</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-3.htm">Proving</a> <a href="/john/7-16.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/5-14.htm">Something</a> <a href="/john/6-17.htm">Started</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-2.htm">Stooped</a> <a href="/luke/16-9.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/john/6-6.htm">Test</a> <a href="/john/6-6.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/john/7-25.htm">Trying</a> <a href="/mark/14-39.htm">Using</a> <a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/john/1-45.htm">Write</a> <a href="/john/5-47.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/10-36.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Accusing</a> <a href="/john/18-38.htm">Basis</a> <a href="/john/8-7.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/john/10-18.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Finger</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Floor</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-16.htm">Grounds</a> <a href="/john/8-7.htm">Head</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Leant</a> <a href="/john/9-3.htm">Order</a> <a href="/acts/9-22.htm">Proving</a> <a href="/john/8-7.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/13-29.htm">Something</a> <a href="/john/20-3.htm">Started</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Stooped</a> <a href="/james/1-13.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/acts/5-9.htm">Test</a> <a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/john/11-8.htm">Trying</a> <a href="/john/16-29.htm">Using</a> <a href="/acts/2-32.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Write</a> <a href="/john/8-8.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">John 8</div>1. <a href="/john/8-1.htm">Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.</a> 12. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;</a> 31. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">promises freedom to those who believe;</a> 33. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;</a> 48. <a href="/john/8-48.htm">answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;</a> 59. <a href="/john/8-59.htm">and slips away from those who would stone him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They said this to test Him The religious leaders often sought to test Jesus, attempting to trap Him in His words or actions to discredit Him. This reflects their growing hostility and fear of His influence. The testing here is reminiscent of the Pharisees' attempts in other parts of the Gospels, such as when they questioned Him about paying taxes to Caesar (<a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15-22</a>). Their intent was not to seek truth but to find grounds for accusation.in order to have a basis for accusing Him The leaders were looking for a legal or theological misstep that could justify their opposition to Jesus. This reflects the broader context of the Jewish leaders' increasing desperation to undermine Jesus' authority and popularity. The Mosaic Law was central to Jewish life, and any perceived violation could be used against Him. This echoes their previous attempts to accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath (<a href="/john/5-16.htm">John 5:16-18</a>).But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger This action is unique in the Gospels and has been the subject of much speculation. Some suggest it symbolizes divine authority, as God's finger wrote the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Exodus 31:18</a>). Others propose that Jesus was writing the sins of the accusers, drawing a parallel to <a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Jeremiah 17:13</a>, where those who turn away from God are "written in the dust." The act of writing on the ground also serves to de-escalate the situation, shifting focus from the accusers' demands to Jesus' response.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> - Central figure in the passage, known for His teachings and miracles. Here, He is being tested by the Pharisees and scribes. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a> - Religious leaders of the time who often opposed Jesus. They are attempting to trap Him with a legal and moral dilemma. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_woman_caught_in_adultery.htm">The Woman Caught in Adultery</a> - Although not directly mentioned in this verse, she is central to the surrounding account. Her situation is used by the Pharisees to challenge Jesus. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple_courts.htm">The Temple Courts</a> - The setting of this event, a public place where Jesus was teaching. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_act_of_writing_on_the_ground.htm">The Act of Writing on the Ground</a> - A unique action by Jesus, the meaning of which has been widely debated and interpreted.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_motive_of_testing_jesus.htm">The Motive of Testing Jesus</a> The Pharisees' intent was not justice but to trap Jesus. This highlights the importance of examining our motives in religious and moral discussions. <a href="/topical/j/jesus'_response_to_accusation.htm">Jesus' Response to Accusation</a> Jesus' calm and deliberate response teaches us to seek wisdom and patience when faced with confrontation or accusation. <a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_writing_on_the_ground.htm">The Significance of Writing on the Ground</a> While the content of Jesus' writing is unknown, the act itself signifies His authority and possibly a silent judgment on the accusers. It reminds us that God's understanding and judgment are beyond human comprehension. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_mercy_and_justice.htm">The Role of Mercy and Justice</a> This passage challenges us to consider how we balance mercy and justice in our own lives, reflecting Jesus' example of compassion without compromising truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_silence_and_action.htm">The Power of Silence and Action</a> Jesus' choice to write rather than speak immediately shows the power of non-verbal communication and action in conveying truth and authority.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 8</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_write_in_the_dirt.htm">What did Jesus write in the dirt?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_god_vs._satan.htm">What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_inscribe_in_the_sand.htm">What did Jesus inscribe in the sand?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_record_of_jesus_writing_ground.htm">John 8:6–7: Why is there no historical or archaeological record of Jesus writing on the ground, given its significance to this event?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) On the text, see Note on <a href="/john/8-4.htm" title="They say to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.">John 8:4</a>. The last words, in italics, which are an explanatory gloss, should also be omitted. The verse will then read, "But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground"--or, more exactly, was writing on the ground. It is the imperfect of the continued action, and it points to the narrator's vivid remembrance of the scene. What precise meaning we are to attach to this action is, and must remain, uncertain. Any inquiry as to what He wrote is excluded by the fact that the narrative would certainly have recorded it had it been known; and though writing on sand was practised in the Rabbinic schools, this writing was on the pavement of the Temple (<a href="/john/8-2.htm" title="And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down, and taught them.">John 8:2</a>). We have to seek the meaning, then, in the symbolism of the action, remembering that the teaching by action and gesture, common everywhere, has always been specially common in the East; and of the many interpretations which may be given, that which seems upon the whole least liable to objection is, that He deprecated the office of judge which they wished to impose on Him, and chose this method of intimating that He took no interest in what they were saying. The commentators tell us that this was a common method of signifying intentional disregard.An alternative interpretation may be suggested. They had quoted the Law, and asked for His opinion. They were themselves the interpreters of the Law. He claimed no such office. (Comp. <a href="/luke/12-14.htm" title="And he said to him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?">Luke 12:14</a>.) He stoops down and writes, and the action intimates that the Law of God was written on tables of stone, and its decrees were immutable. They, by their technical interpretation and tradition, were making it of none effect. He came to fulfil it. The majesty of duty is sinned against by these refinements of casuistry. They are now daring to violate the sacredness of law by making it the subject of a question by which they hope to encompass His death. The solemn silence, as He stooped down in that Temple and wrote upon its pavement, must have spoken in a power greater than that of words.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - But this they said tempting him, that they might have (whereof) to accuse him. They sought a ground of formal accusation against Jesus. This implies some court before which the charge they desired to formulate it might be brought. The precise accusation is difficult to determine, and sundry distinguished scholars, Lucke, De Wette, and Alford, declare the problem or question insoluble. Augustine has been followed by a great body of expositors, who have supposed that an affirmative reply would have been inconsistent with the gentleness and mildness of our Lord's treatment of sinners, while a negative reply would at once have given them a charge to bring before the Sanhedrin of such a relaxation of the Law as would endanger his position as a Rabbi, still more as the Prophet like unto Moses. Almost all critics agree as to the use to which Christ's enemies were ready to put a negative reply, and therefore they coincide with Augustine in this part of his explanation. But the interpretation put upon the affirmative reply would not furnish the ground of any accusation before any court. An apparent inconsistency would be no civil charge, and would have no weight before any legal tribunal. The condemnation of adulterers to death by stoning would have been Christ's allowance of the letter of the Law to stand. The Romans could take no umbrage at this until the act had been carried into execution. It may probably have been known that, let the Sanhedrin record what verdict and punishment they pleased, the Roman magistrates would not have carried it into capital execution. How, then, could the scribes and Pharisees have carried an accusation or information before a Roman tribunal? The solution was suggested by Baumgarten-Crusius and Luthardt, and adopted by Moulton, that Christ was asked to say "Aye" or "No" to an instant, tumultuous act of vengeance upon the adulteress. Let him say "No," they would accuse him of deliberately ignoring and repudiating the authority of the Law of Moses; let him say "Yes," they were ready to stone the woman there and then, and subsequently to throw the responsibility of such violation of Roman jurisdiction upon the Lord Jesus as its instigator. Meyer's objection, that no question at all had been put to Christ on this supposition, is not clear. It was this. Clearly apprehending that adultery is a capital offence, and that there was a case before them upon which no doubt could be thrown, they ask him, with the stones in their hands, "Shall we kill this damsel or not?" If he says "No," then they were prepared to denounce the Prophet for his dogmatic trifling with the Law; if "Yes," they are ready to do the deed, and fasten upon Jesus all the shame and guilt of the proceeding before the Roman governor. It was a very analogous problem to that concerning the tribute money recorded in <a href="/matthew/22.htm">Matthew 22</a>. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger was writing on the ground (εἰς τὴν γὴν, into the earth). Some manuscripts, E, G, and about ninety cursives, add, μὴ προσποιούμενος, "not troubling himself with them" - "as though he beard them not" (Authorized Version). This act is unparalleled in Scripture, even if the custom is still occasionally practised in the East. Mr. O'Neil, in his instructive volume, 'Palestine Explored,' records a curious instance of a youth, who, after playing some practical joke upon an old man, feigned utter ignorance of the surprise and cry of the old man by instantaneously assuming the position of one entirely abstracted from all sublunary thought, in fact, by sitting on the ground and scribbling with his finger in the dust, "as though he heard and saw nothing of what had happened." Such an intention can only be attributed to our Lord on the understanding that it was a current method of indicating an indisposition to have anything to say to the intruders. He was seated; he turned aside from the excited crowd, and by a significant symbol expressed his displeasure at their proceedings, and his perception of their craftiness. Conjecture has been busy, but vainly, with the inquiry as to what our Lord wrote on the ground, and some have urged (Godet) that he wrote the memorable sentence which follows, as a judge might write the verdict upon the case submitted to him. This is not probable, and it would detract from the symbolism of the act. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>They said ἔλεγον (elegon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. this Τοῦτο (Touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. to test πειράζοντες (peirazontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. Him, αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. in order ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. to have [a basis] ἔχωσιν (echōsin) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. for accusing κατηγορεῖν (katēgorein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2723.htm">Strong's 2723: </a> To accuse, charge, prosecute. From kategoros; to be a plaintiff, i.e. To charge with some offence. Him. αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. bent κύψας (kypsas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2955.htm">Strong's 2955: </a> To bend, stoop down, bow the head. Probably from the base of kuma; to bend forward. down κάτω (katō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2736.htm">Strong's 2736: </a> (a) down, below, also: downwards, (b) lower, under, less, of a length of time. Also katotero; adverb from kata; downwards. [and] began to write κατέγραφεν (kategraphen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. on εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ground γῆν (gēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. with τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [His] finger. δακτύλῳ (daktylō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1147.htm">Strong's 1147: </a> A finger. Probably from deka; a finger. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:6 They said this testing him that they (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>