Charles Ellicott Commentary John 8:6

"And this they said, trying him, that they might have [whereof] to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground." — John 8:6 (ASV)

Regarding the text, see the Note on John 8:4. The last words, which are in italics in the source text and serve as an explanatory gloss, should also be omitted. The verse will then read: But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground—or, more exactly, was writing on the ground. This is the imperfect tense, indicating a continued action, and it points to the narrator’s vivid remembrance of the scene.

What precise meaning we are to attach to this action is, and must remain, uncertain. Any inquiry as to what He wrote is excluded by the fact that the narrative would certainly have recorded it if it had been known. Although writing on sand was practiced in the Rabbinic schools, this writing was on the pavement of the Temple (John 8:2).

We must therefore seek the meaning in the symbolism of the action, remembering that teaching by action and gesture, common everywhere, has always been especially common in the East. Of the many interpretations which may be given, the one that seems, on the whole, least liable to objection is that He deprecated the office of judge, which they wished to impose on Him, and chose this method of intimating that He took no interest in what they were saying. The commentators tell us that this was a common method of signifying intentional disregard.

An alternative interpretation may be suggested. They had quoted the Law and asked for His opinion. They were themselves the interpreters of the Law. He claimed no such office .

He stoops down and writes, and the action intimates that the Law of God was written on tables of stone, and its decrees were immutable. They, by their technical interpretation and tradition, were making it of no effect. He came to fulfill it.

The majesty of duty is sinned against by these refinements of casuistry. They are now daring to violate the sacredness of law by making it the subject of a question by which they hope to bring about His death. The solemn silence, as He stooped down in that Temple and wrote upon its pavement, must have spoken with a power greater than that of words.