John 8:6

Tempting him (peirazonte auton). Evil sense of this present active participle of peirazw, as so often ( Mark 8:11 ; Mark 10:2 , etc.). That they might have whereof to accuse him (ina ecwsin kathgorein autou). Purpose clause with ina and present active subjunctive of ecw. This laying of traps for Jesus was a common practice of his enemies ( Luke 11:16 , etc.). Note present active infinitive of kathgorew (see Matthew 12:10 for the verb) to go on accusing (with genitive autou). It was now a habit with these rabbis. Stooped down (katw kupsa). First aorist active participle of kuptw, old verb to bow the head, to bend forward, in N.T. only here and verse Matthew 8 ; Mark 1:7 . The use of katw (down) gives a vivid touch to the picture. With his finger (twi daktulwi). Instrumental case of daktulo for which see Matthew 23:4 . Wrote on the ground (kategrapen ei thn ghn). Imperfect active of katagrapw, 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 katagrapw 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.