So, what DID Jesus write in the sand in John 8??

Nobody knows for sure. Or, if it was written at one point, it was removed. At any rate, whatever Jesus wrote in the sand that day caused every accuser to drop their stones and walk away.

There are many theories but here are a couple that i found interesting. One theory suggests that Jesus wrote something that would fulfill a prophecy written in Jeremiah.


Here is the passage that describes the event:

John 8:3-11 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Is it possible that Jesus wrote the names of the accusers in the sand to fulfill this prophecy? Here is the passage from Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 17:13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. “Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the Lord, The fountain of living waters.”

Another theory is that Jesus wrote something that in combination with his verbal answer (“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first) prompted her accusers to walk away.

From an article titled "Sand Writing" ( [link to www.thegreatseparation.com]

Just what did Jesus Christ write in the sand? Perhaps no one saw the writing in the sand, perhaps only the woman could see the writing, or perhaps Christ only doodled. Personally, I think everyone caught a glimpse of what He wrote and it shocked everyone so much, that combined with His judgment, all were shamed when the light of that sand writing exposed their own guilt. Whatever He wrote, it had a profound effect because it's hard to believe that His statement alone would drive the self-righteous, pompous, white washed Pharisees away. In truth, these people were no different than us today.

Just what did Jesus Christ write in the sand? The adulteress stayed, back on her feet, probably in a state of shocked disbelief, looking at Christ writing in the sand. When He finally stood, He looked about and asked, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” She muttered in reply, “No man, Lord.” And Jesus declared, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Strange, Christ, the only person there without sin, would have been justified under the law to stone her. Instead, He forgave her. Why?



Maybe Jesus wrote down the sins of the accusers. Maybe he wrote their names. Whatever he wrote, it caused these people to drop their stones and walk away.

Why did he write it and not speak it?