This is another enigmatic reference. It had the result of freeing Jesus" critics from His convicting gaze. Perhaps the writer mentioned it to show that it was God who would produce conviction through Jesus" authoritative words rather than through His physical eye contact (cf. Matthew 7:28-29; John 7:46). By writing on the ground again Jesus graciously gave the scribes and Pharisees another opportunity to rethink their decision and repent. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 8:1-11 - The Accusers Self-Condemned
This passage has been the subject of much controversy, but there is no possibility of accounting for it except on the supposition that this incident really took place. It reveals in our Lord's character such tenderness, wisdom, hatred of sin, and insight into the heart of man, that it is impossible to suppose that any evangelist could have invented the story.
The sinner's way of treating sin is to regard it as "a case" for curious speculation, and an opportunity for contrasting with it the immaculate virtue of the accusers. They take prurient pleasure in enumerating the terrible details, but give no sign of pity or shame for the sinner. The Law's way of treating sin is to stone. The executioner shows no mercy. The offender falls beneath the Law's curse and penalty. The Savior's way of treating sin is to forgive. In that bowed head and hidden face, John 8:10, we learn how much sin costs Him. But it is easy to hear His words of forgiveness, and to go forth from His presence with the assurance that "there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus;" but we shall never know how much sin has cost Him, whom it crucifies afresh. That silent, averted gaze has made men bow their heads and beat upon their breasts. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 8
1Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery 12He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine; 31promises freedom to those who believe; 33answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham; 48answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity; 59and slips away from those who would stone him
Greek Commentary for John 8:8
Again he stooped down [παλιν κατακυπσας] First aorist active participle of κατακυπτω katakuptō old and rare verb (in Epictetus II, 16. 22) instead of κατω κυπσας katō kupsas in John 8:6. With his finger Not genuine, only in D and Western class. Wrote on the ground Imperfect active of the simplex γραπω graphō not καταγραπω katagraphō The second picture of Jesus writing on the ground. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 8:8
John 8:6Tempting him [πειραζοντες αυτον] Evil sense of this present active participle of πειραζω peirazō as so often (Mark 8:11; Mark 10:2, etc.). That they might have whereof to accuse him Purpose clause with ινα hina and present active subjunctive of εχω echō This laying of traps for Jesus was a common practice of his enemies (Luke 11:16, etc.). Note present active infinitive of κατηγορεω katēgoreō (see Matthew 12:10 for the verb) to go on accusing (with genitive αυτου autou). It was now a habit with these rabbis. Stooped down First aorist active participle of κυπτω kuptō old verb to bow the head, to bend forward, in N.T. only here and John 8:8; Mark 1:7. The use of κατω katō (down) gives a vivid touch to the picture. With his finger Instrumental case of δακτυλος daktulos for which see Matthew 23:4. Wrote on the ground Imperfect active of καταγραπω katagraphō old compound, here only in N.T., to draw, to delineate, to write down, apparently inchoative, began to write on the sand as every one has done sometimes. The only mention of writing by Jesus and the use of καταγραπω katagraphō leaves it uncertain whether he was writing words or drawing pictures or making signs. If we only knew what he wrote! Certainly Jesus knew how to write. And yet more books have been written about this one who wrote nothing that is preserved than any other person or subject in human history. There is a tradition that Jesus wrote down the names and sins of these accusers. That is not likely. They were written on their hearts. Jesus alone on this occasion showed embarrassment over this woman‘s sin. [source]
John 8:7When they continued asking [ως επεμενον ερωτωντες] Imperfect active indicative of επιμενω epimenō (waiting in addition or still, επι epi old verb) with supplementary active participle of ερωταω erōtaō to question. See same construction in Acts 12:16 The verb επιμενω epimenō does not occur in John. They saw that Jesus seemed embarrassed, but did not know that it was as much because of “the brazen hardness of the prosecutors” as because of the shame of the deed. He lifted himself up First aorist active indicative of ανακυπτω anakuptō the opposite of κατακυπτω katakuptō to bend down (John 8:8) or of κατω κυπτω katō kuptō (John 8:6). He that is without sin Verbal adjective Objective genitive. First cast The nominative πρωτος prōtos means first before others, be the first to cast, not cast before he does something else. See John 20:4. The verb is second aorist imperative of βαλλω ballō old verb to fling or cast. Jesus thus picks out the executioner in the case. [source]
What do the individual words in John 8:8 mean?
Andagainhaving stooped downHe continued to writeontheground
Greek Commentary for John 8:8
First aorist active participle of κατακυπτω katakuptō old and rare verb (in Epictetus II, 16. 22) instead of κατω κυπσας katō kupsas in John 8:6. With his finger Not genuine, only in D and Western class. Wrote on the ground Imperfect active of the simplex γραπω graphō not καταγραπω katagraphō The second picture of Jesus writing on the ground. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 8:8
Evil sense of this present active participle of πειραζω peirazō as so often (Mark 8:11; Mark 10:2, etc.). That they might have whereof to accuse him Purpose clause with ινα hina and present active subjunctive of εχω echō This laying of traps for Jesus was a common practice of his enemies (Luke 11:16, etc.). Note present active infinitive of κατηγορεω katēgoreō (see Matthew 12:10 for the verb) to go on accusing (with genitive αυτου autou). It was now a habit with these rabbis. Stooped down First aorist active participle of κυπτω kuptō old verb to bow the head, to bend forward, in N.T. only here and John 8:8; Mark 1:7. The use of κατω katō (down) gives a vivid touch to the picture. With his finger Instrumental case of δακτυλος daktulos for which see Matthew 23:4. Wrote on the ground Imperfect active of καταγραπω katagraphō old compound, here only in N.T., to draw, to delineate, to write down, apparently inchoative, began to write on the sand as every one has done sometimes. The only mention of writing by Jesus and the use of καταγραπω katagraphō leaves it uncertain whether he was writing words or drawing pictures or making signs. If we only knew what he wrote! Certainly Jesus knew how to write. And yet more books have been written about this one who wrote nothing that is preserved than any other person or subject in human history. There is a tradition that Jesus wrote down the names and sins of these accusers. That is not likely. They were written on their hearts. Jesus alone on this occasion showed embarrassment over this woman‘s sin. [source]
Imperfect active indicative of επιμενω epimenō (waiting in addition or still, επι epi old verb) with supplementary active participle of ερωταω erōtaō to question. See same construction in Acts 12:16 The verb επιμενω epimenō does not occur in John. They saw that Jesus seemed embarrassed, but did not know that it was as much because of “the brazen hardness of the prosecutors” as because of the shame of the deed. He lifted himself up First aorist active indicative of ανακυπτω anakuptō the opposite of κατακυπτω katakuptō to bend down (John 8:8) or of κατω κυπτω katō kuptō (John 8:6). He that is without sin Verbal adjective Objective genitive. First cast The nominative πρωτος prōtos means first before others, be the first to cast, not cast before he does something else. See John 20:4. The verb is second aorist imperative of βαλλω ballō old verb to fling or cast. Jesus thus picks out the executioner in the case. [source]