Christ Writing on the Ground by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 14, 1910

Christ Writing on the Ground

By Editor

In the account of the woman brought to Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees (John 8:3-11), it is said that “Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.” What did he write? The spirit of prophecy told us long ago that he wrote the sins of the accusers of the woman. And now Prof. C. R. Gregory, of the Leipsic University, Germany, has found three manuscripts of the Gospel of John in which are readings which say that he wrote their sins. The published account is as follows:—

“We are told, referring to the scribes and Pharisees who brought the woman to Jesus, that he wrote ‘the sins of each one of them.’ The people noticed first what he was writing; and this led the scribes to press forward to read: ‘Eldad slew his companion Modar in the wilderness.’ On seeing this, he slunk away.

“Then Horan read: ‘Horan devoured the house of Bunan’s widow;’ and Horan crept away.

“Next Mamun read: ‘Arned’s wife must yield to the power and influence of Mamun.’”

Thus one after another the scribes were convicted and fled. Jesus pardoned the woman, and she alone went away in peace.

Professor Gregory adds: “The picture of this scene was indelibly engraved upon the souls of the spectators;” and though we know not how it came into John’s Gospel, it is a true picture of a historical scene.—Editorial Note, Review, Feb. 6. 1900.