What Was Jesus Writing?

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Nelka

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I have always wondered what Jesus was writing on the ground.

John 8:3-8 The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in the middle they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and in the Law Moses has ordered us to stone women of this kind. What have you got to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for an accusation to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he straightened up and said, ‘Let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and continued writing on the ground.

Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.
 
Saints have had various opinions what it means that He wrote or what He wrote. For example St. Jerome suggests that He wrote the mortals sins of the Scribes on the ground. Commentary:
And S. Ambrose (Ep. lxxvi. ad Studitem) says, “He wrote on the ground, for sinners are written on the earth, the just in heaven.” Symbolically, S. Augustine (as above) gives two other reasons. (1.) To show that He worked miracles on earth, for, though God, He humbled Himself to become man, for miracles are signs which are wrought on earth. (2.) To point out that the time had now come for His law to be written on the fruitful earth, not on barren stones. (3.) He adds here (Tract. xxxiii.) a third reason, that it was to signify that it was He who had written the old law on tables of stone, but that the new law was to be written on the productive earth. But what did Christ write? He could not in the paved court of the temple cut out the shape of the letters, but merely delineate them with His finger. But He seems to have marked out something to put them to shame, or to expose their sin. For He added, in explanation of what He had done, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” S. Jerome even says that He wrote the mortal sins of the Scribes and of all men (Lib. ii. Contra Pelag.), S. Ambrose (Ep. lvi.) that He wrote Jer. xxii. 29; and (Epist. lxxix.) that He wrote among other words, Thou seest the mote in thy brother’s eye, but seest not the beam in thine own. Others think that He wrote “Mene, Mene” (Dan. v. 25). But nothing certain can be stated.
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A list of their sins…that’s what priests have told me in the past. Sounds like something that would make them change their minds in a hurry. 👍
 
I had never thought about this. Good stuff. Good stuff, indeed.
 
I heard it was their mortal sins also. I’m sorry I can’t remember who it was though. I either saw someone say it on EWTN or on a youtube video of some lectures from Franciscan University of Steubenville. I remember whoever the speaker was, he said the bible records they went away one at a time, the speaker believes after they each came up and read their last mortal sin which Jesus had wrote down.
 
Nelka said:
I have always wondered what Jesus was writing on the ground.

John 8:3-8 The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in the middle they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and in the Law Moses has ordered us to stone women of this kind. What have you got to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for an accusation to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he straightened up and said, ‘Let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and continued writing on the ground.

Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.
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Popular ideas include Jesus writing the sins of His accusers, Jesus writing something along the lines of “earth accuses earth” (terra terram accusat), Jesus choosing not to listen to their illegitimate question the first time by pretending to be preoccupied and then writing their sins on the ground the second time, or Jesus not really writing anything ‘meaningful’ at all but either just mulling over His response while doodling or acting as if He was writing something to make a point (cf. Exodus 31:18; Daniel 5:5, 24-28).

Here’s a nice article about how Christians have historically treated the matter: Earth Accuses Earth: Tracing What Jesus Wrote on the Ground

In the end, it is not possible to determine what Jesus wrote or even if he wrote, nor is it likely that the original intentions of the author of this passage, evangelist or interpolator, will ever be available to contemporary readers. Nevertheless, the idea that Jesus wrote with his finger on the ground has remained a source of fascination and creative engagement for centuries, capturing the imagination of artists, theologians, and biblical scholars from antiquity to today. The popularity of the pericope adulterae may wax and wane, and its place within the canonical gospels may never be totally secure, but the passage endures. Bearing with itself and as itself the history of its multiple engagements, the story’s meaning and text are circumscribed, at least to some degree. Nevertheless, interpretation, liturgy, text, and image remain open and contested. The story of this story will therefore continue to be written, as will speculation regarding what Jesus wrote, how he wrote and why he wrote at all.
 
Some commentators have also seen a reference to Jeremiah 17:13 in Christ’s action:

“O Lord, the hope of Israel: all that forsake thee shall be confounded: they that depart from thee, shall be written in the earth: because they have forsaken the Lord, the vein of living waters.” (Jeremiah 17: 13, DRV)

In other words, Christ was writing the names of the accusers, who believed themselves righteous, but were actually in danger of damnation because they refused to believe in Him. (The NAB-RE has this explanation as a footnote, as does Orchard’s commentary, but both consider it secondary.)
 
RPRPsych said:
Some commentators have also seen a reference to Jeremiah 17:13 in Christ’s action:

“O Lord, the hope of Israel: all that forsake thee shall be confounded: they that depart from thee, shall be written in the earth: because they have forsaken the Lord, the vein of living waters.” (Jeremiah 17: 13, DRV)

In other words, Christ was writing the names of the accusers, who believed themselves righteous, but were actually in danger of damnation because they refused to believe in Him. (The NAB-RE has this explanation as a footnote, as does Orchard’s commentary, but both consider it secondary.)
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That is what I have heard, and it seems right. The accusers would have been well versed in the prophets; so they would have recognized the implication immediately.
 
It is also an allusion to “the handwriting on the wall” from Daniel 5, a statement about the kingdom being taken away from the Temple authorities.

And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:26-28)

It is also a reference to the law and a proof text that Jesus is God.

And he gave to Moses, when he had made an end of speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18)

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
It is also an allusion to “the handwriting on the wall” from Daniel 5, a statement about the kingdom being taken away from the Temple authorities.

And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:26-28)

It is also a reference to the law and a proof text that Jesus is God.

And he gave to Moses, when he had made an end of speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18)

-Tim-
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This is what I was explained and o think I have seen this same reference in other catholic wrbsotes
 
Nelka said:
I have always wondered what Jesus was writing on the ground.

John 8:3-8 The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in the middle they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and in the Law Moses has ordered us to stone women of this kind. What have you got to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for an accusation to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he straightened up and said, ‘Let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and continued writing on the ground.

Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.
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We do not know what Jesus wrote. Any opinions are just speculation.
 
any answers ARE speculation, and I speculate that he was writing the names of women with whom the accusers had committed adultery, themselves.

he probably wrote this way, so that each man could read it one at a time and be convicted of his own adultery

I picked up a copy of The Orthodox Bible which uses the Septuagint in English for the Old Testament. There is an essay in the back about how to read the Bible. It says we should read ourselves into the text, to get the deepest impact of the verses we are reading.

For example, in the story of the murder of Abel, we should think of ourselves as having killed Abel.

In this story, we should ponder how we have committed adultery and/or what it would be like to confront Jesus if we had committed adultery. It’s awful for me think of having committed such a sin and to think of the damage I might have committed by doing so.
 
thistle said:
We do not know what Jesus wrote. Any opinions are just speculation.
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It is not speculation.

You say this every time the topic of Jesus writing on the ground comes up, that it is pointless to speculate, anything we say are opinions, etc. Jesus’ actions viewed in light of several Old Testament scriptures however, are not “pointless speculation” but sound Catholic Biblical exegesis.

Jesus writing in the sand was a reference to several places in the Old Testament. One such place is the hand of God which wrote words on the wall which no one except Daniel could read in Daniel 5.

And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:25-27)

King Nebuchadnez’zar exalted himself and his kingdom was given to others more worthy. God’s hand wrote the words on the wall as a message. The author of the Gospel is trying to bring our attention back to the events in Daniel 5. This is what happened to the Pharisees and temple authorities - their kingdom was given to others who were worthy. Jesus wrote with his finger. The author is trying to tell us that Jesus is God and that he is going to pronounce judgement.

And the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 8:19)

The authorities were invoking the Old Testament law in order to stone the woman. God in the person of Jesus Christ was reminding them of the real meaning of the law - mercy and forgiveness for one who repents. Instead, like Pharaoh, they authorities and Pharisees hardened their heart and wanted to kill the woman.

And the LORD gave me the two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. (Deuteronomy 9:10)

Interpreting Jesus actions and words in light of the Old Testament is not pointless nor is it speculation. It is the way Catholics approach scripture. We can’t interpret Jesus’ words or actions apart from the Old Testament. We have to always look back to the Old Testament to be able to understand what Jesus was doing or saying. Doing so is sound Biblical exegesis.

We can’t know Jesus’ exact words, but it is not incorrect to infer the general meaning of Jesus words or actions from similar passages in the Old Testament. This is exactly how Christians have approached scripture for 2000 years.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
It is not speculation.

You say this every time the topic of Jesus writing on the ground comes up, that it is pointless to speculate, anything we say are opinions, etc. Jesus’ actions viewed in light of several Old Testament scriptures however, are not “pointless speculation” but sound Catholic Biblical exegesis.

Jesus writing in the sand was a reference to several places in the Old Testament. One such place is the hand of God which wrote words on the wall which no one except Daniel could read in Daniel 5.

And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:25-27)

King Nebuchadnez’zar exalted himself and his kingdom was given to others more worthy. God’s hand wrote the words on the wall as a message. The author of the Gospel is trying to bring our attention back to the events in Daniel 5. This is what happened to the Pharisees and temple authorities - their kingdom was given to others who were worthy. Jesus wrote with his finger. The author is trying to tell us that Jesus is God and that he is going to pronounce judgement.

And the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 8:19)

The authorities were invoking the Old Testament law in order to stone the woman. God in the person of Jesus Christ was reminding them of the real meaning of the law - mercy and forgiveness for one who repents. Instead, like Pharaoh, they authorities and Pharisees hardened their heart and wanted to kill the woman.

And the LORD gave me the two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. (Deuteronomy 9:10)

Interpreting Jesus actions and words in light of the Old Testament is not pointless nor is it speculation. It is the way Catholics approach scripture. We can’t interpret Jesus’ words or actions apart from the Old Testament. We have to always look back to the Old Testament to be able to understand what Jesus was doing or saying. Doing so is sound Biblical exegesis.

We can’t know Jesus’ exact words, but it is not incorrect to infer the general meaning of Jesus words or actions from similar passages in the Old Testament. This is exactly how Christians have approached scripture for 2000 years.

-Tim-
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We do** NOT **know what Jesus wrote. All answers are baseless speculation.
 
thistle said:
We do** NOT **know what Jesus wrote. All answers are baseless speculation.
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You are missing much of what the Bible has to offer if you can’t understand and interpret Jesus’ words and actions based on the Old Testament. This is how Christians have read and interpreted the Bible since the Bible began to exist.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
You are missing much of what the Bible has to offer if you can’t understand and interpret Jesus’ words and actions based on the Old Testament. This is how Christians have read and interpreted the Bible since the Bible began to exist.

-Tim-
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I repeat. We do NOT know what Jesus wrote and all speculation is meaningless.
 
Nelka said:
I have always wondered what Jesus was writing on the ground.

John 8:3-8 The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in the middle they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and in the Law Moses has ordered us to stone women of this kind. What have you got to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for an accusation to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he straightened up and said, ‘Let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and continued writing on the ground.

Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.
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  • [7:53–8:11] The story of the woman caught in adultery is a later insertion, missing from all early Greek manuscripts.
Jesus wrote nothing, Pontius Pilate wrote the first words about Jesus “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews” because he thought Jesus claimed the throne of Herod (King of the Jews) and knew nothing about the throne of God.
 
we do not know what Jesus wrote but we can tell what effect it had. He convinced each man to drop his stone and walk away. This is significant in a Jewish law system where the penalty was clearly stated and the criterion of having at least two witnesses seems to have been met.
 
Hi. New here- so I’m kinda stupid. Haha. Sorry.

I remember reading about Diogenes Laertius who was a biographer of the greek philosophers and in talking about the philosopher Menedemus he wrote:

“When a young man behaved arrogantly and with boldness towards him, Menedemus did not say a word, but took a stick and drew in the dirt an insulting picture that only the young man would understand since he was in a great crowd of people, as not to openly insult him and the young man went away”.

Maybe this is what they did back then so the Master (Jesus) would let the arrogant one “save face” by drawing a cryptic picture that only they would understand. Just my opinion. Jesus is Lord! 🙂
 
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