Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 12/4/2010

Question
Hi Pastor Don

As a Born Again Christian its suggested that I not only read the BIBLE but study it also.

I'm pretty confused about these two scriptures below:

John 8 King James Version)
John 8
6This 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.

8 And gain he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

Pastor Don;
1- What was JESUS writting on the ground ?
@- And why on eath would JESUS be doing that twice ?

GOD BLESS YOU PASTOR DON
Ray M.  

Answer
Hi Ray,

Thanks for this great question.  I am so sorry for my late response.  Lets get a look at the whole story in order to understand verses 6 and 8.

John 8:1–11 (AV)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 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. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 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. 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. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 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. 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? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.


The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus.  He was answering them in a very discreet manor.  One thing that added to their frustration is that he ignored them, scribbling in the ground.  We are not told what He was writing, that is unimportant... He was simply busying Himself with something other than answering their demands.  Also, if the woman was taken in the ACT of adultery, she was probably not well clothed if at all, Jesus did not look directly on her or them.  In verse 7 He stopped to address them with a powerful statement then took His eyes off them and the woman again.  In verse 8 many speculate that perhaps He was writing the names of the women that the accusers have slept with or lusted after, but we do not know.  Since God did not tell us, it is not important.

I hope that this helps you understand the passage a bit better.  Again, I am so very sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don