John 8:3-11 What did Jesus write on the ground?

[shann0]

We need more bible study posts, folks! Let's search the deep things of God together! Here's one that I've always wondered about. Can the answer be ascertained?

In this story, Jesus bends down and writes in the dirt. It seems like an odd thing to do, but it shuts up an entire crowd of people bent on stoning this poor woman to death. What do you think He wrote?

Joh 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Joh 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Joh 8:6 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.
Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 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.
Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

[allenlundy]

Purely speculation but I've always had the opinion he wrote the names of women the Pharisees were committing adultery with. Notice the eldest (wisest) left first.

[Javanut]

Good question! I would agree with Allen that the names of the adulterers in the group would be a likely guess. Another thought maybe something about deliberately setting someone up - like maybe Jesus knew they were spying on the women from perhaps prurient interests and He calls them on it.

[shann0]

Yes that's a good guess. It had to be something that convicted those who were ready to stone her.

[mitchrg]

I believe that he wrote various sins on the ground and looked at an individual who was guilty of that sin as he wrote it. He convicted each accuser with each glance and every stroke of his finger in the dust. He would have had to confront each individual to defuse mob frenzy.

[maeday5]

Aug 17, 2011 0:13:26 GMT -5 mitchrg said:

I believe that he wrote various sins on the ground and looked at an individual who was guilty of that sin as he wrote it. He convicted each accuser with each glance and every stroke of his finger in the dust. He would have had to confront each individual to defuse mob frenzy.

Kind of my conclusion too. Perhaps none of the men had committed adultery. As such they felt morally superior to drag the adulteress women to judgement at the feet of Jesus.
What they didn't know, was Jesus knew their offenses. When he signaled to each the sins they'd committed, which were worthy of condemnation and judgement, they all scurried off.

Wonderful story. How frightened and ashamed the women must have been. How crafty and superior the men were, thinking they'd trapped Jesus. How wonderful our gracious God is that He provided salvation for all who would have faith and believe.

[baydoll]

Great question!

I'm thinking their (the scribes and Pharisees) names? Someone once pointed this verse out concerning this:

"O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. “Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the Lord, The fountain of living waters.” (Jeremiah 17:13)

Fulfillment of this prophesy, perhaps?

[cowgirl]

I don't think Jesus would have to write their names, but only their sins and they would recognise their sins. Jesus knew their sins but it does say because of this they recognized jJesus as Gods son. ThT fact seems to be lost on them. Would think, if it were me, I would be wanting forgivness from Jesus right then and there.

[perpetualbug]

Aug 17, 2011 0:13:26 GMT -5 mitchrg said:

I believe that he wrote various sins on the ground and looked at an individual who was guilty of that sin as he wrote it. He convicted each accuser with each glance and every stroke of his finger in the dust. He would have had to confront each individual to defuse mob frenzy.

My thought on this as well.