Bible Study The writing on the ground ?

[andy153]

Dear friends,

John 8: 4 they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
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.

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on why Jesus wrote on the ground when questioned by the pharisees ?

with love and respect, andy153

 

[Blazin Bones]

I'm pretty sure there is a reason why the Bible does not tell us, but let's see what everyone else thinks.

 

[JM]

I think Jesus was writing the sins of those in the crowd, which is why they walked away.

 

[andy153]

I think Jesus was writing the sins of those in the crowd, which is why they walked away.

Thanks Jason, yes I have heard this expressed before as well and it is an interesting thought. However, my problem with it is that the people moved away only after Jesus spoke not while he was writing.

John 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.

with love and respect, andy153

 

[JM]

It's not a big deal to me, it just seems like Jesus is using sarcasm to press His point. 'Being convicted' by their own conscience, they went out one by one, as if they seen their sin listed. They also didn't leave until Jesus stooped again.

It's a good question that can never be answered.

 

[andy153]

I believe the answer lies in the question that the pharisees asked the Lord.

John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

The pharisees question Jesus on the Law of Moses and ask for his opinion.
Instead of answering directly Jesus stoops and with his finger writes on the ground.

The answer to this is I believe is found in Exodus 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

The same finger that wrote the law on Sinai now writes on the ground before them. Moses had to go up to receive the Law, now the Lawgiver had come down to them himself. Jesus is revealing is divinity to them yet they are blind to it.

Another indicator for this I believe is that Jesus stooped down to write twice. How many tablets was the law written on ? two !

I believe what Jesus wrote on the ground was the same as he wrote on Sinai. The people where then able to see which commandments they themselves were in violation off.

with love and respect, andy153

 

[evanman]

Y'shua wuz 'ere?

 

[serapha]

Hi there


I think every one misses the most important point concerning Jesus writing on the ground.


Everyone in the presence of Jesus at that time was literate. They all knew what he was writing. Whether it was in Greek, or Aramaic, or Hebrew, we don't know, but we may understand that whatever language was being used, the written word was understood.


Sometimes, we view the first-century church as being less that educated, or lowly Galillean fishermen... when, in fact, the Bible has many passages that incidate that even the common man was able to read and write.

BTW... I think Jesus wrote down, "She could not commit adultery alone."





~serapha~