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John 8:
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
to scratch away
Barnes:
BDAG: to inscribe characters on a surface, write
Note that this is a slightly different Greek word for to write.
There is a lot of speculation about what Jesus was writing:
He was writing a list of the sins committed by each of the Jewish leaders present.
Jerome thought Jesus wrote the names of the accusers.
My guess is that Jesus wasn't writing anything specific. He was just doodling while collecting his thoughts on how to resolve the dilemma. For one thing, did they have Roman governor's approval to stone her? For another thing, Moses did not exactly specify stoning the adulterers. To simplify these issues, Jesus went along with their assumptions and responded with “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Jesus was teaching at the temple when they interrupted him:1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.
They had their agenda. Jesus was facing a dilemma. If he agreed, then the woman would be stoned. If he disagreed, then they would say he did not follow the Law of Moses.3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him.
κατέγραφεν (kategraphen)Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
to scratch away
Barnes:
Jesus seemed to be showing his displeasure at their intrusion. Buying some time, he collected his thoughts by scratching on the dirt.This took place in the temple. The "ground," here, means the pavement, or the dust on the pavement.
They insisted on a quick answer.7 And as they continued to ask him,
He gave his answer and continued scribbling:he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
ἔγραφεν (egraphen)8And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground.
BDAG: to inscribe characters on a surface, write
Note that this is a slightly different Greek word for to write.
I don't think it matters what Jesus wrote. It was what Jesus said that convicted them.9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones,
What words or sentences did Jesus write on the Ground?and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
There is a lot of speculation about what Jesus was writing:
He was writing a list of the sins committed by each of the Jewish leaders present.
Jerome thought Jesus wrote the names of the accusers.
My guess is that Jesus wasn't writing anything specific. He was just doodling while collecting his thoughts on how to resolve the dilemma. For one thing, did they have Roman governor's approval to stone her? For another thing, Moses did not exactly specify stoning the adulterers. To simplify these issues, Jesus went along with their assumptions and responded with “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”