Devine Scripture

John 8:6

What does John 8:6 mean?

A plain-English look at John 8:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 8:6 means

Their real purpose is revealed: they are testing Jesus to accuse Him. Jesus stoops and writes on the ground, refusing to answer on their terms. He neither denies the Law nor rushes to condemn. His silence slows the frenzy, redirects attention, and creates space for conscience to awaken. Whatever He wrote, the gesture itself carries meaning: the Lawgiver is deliberate, not driven by their malice. He dignifies the moment by lowering Himself, not to ignore sin, but to prepare a word that will weigh the hearts of all present. His composure contrasts with their urgency to trap and to shame.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

They said this, testing him, so that they might have something against him. But Jesus, with his head bent down, made letters on the floor with his finger.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and this they said, trying him, that they might have to accuse him. And Jesus, having stooped down, with the finger he was writing on the ground,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But this they said proving him, that they might have [something] to accuse him [of]. But Jesus, having stooped down, wrote with his finger on the ground.

Context

After pressing the legal dilemma, the leaders expect a quick, compromising answer. Instead, Jesus answers first with action, not words. This pause is pivotal, setting up the searching statement in the next verse about sinless persons casting the first stone. The crowd waits; the accusers press on. The tension functions as a narrative hinge: before, the focus was on the woman’s guilt; after, attention will turn to the accusers’ hearts. This shift is essential for reading the passage rightly—Jesus will deal with sin but refuses to be used by hypocrites.

v.5Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her?

v.6This passage

v.7But 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 8:11

    And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.

  • Matthew 19:3

    And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

  • Matthew 22:18

    But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why make ye trial of me, ye hypocrites?

  • Psalms 38:12

    They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And meditate deceits all the day long.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:7

    a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

  • Daniel 5:5

    In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

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