John 8:6

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
τοῦτο
This
that thing
#2
δὲ
But
but, and, etc
#3
ἔλεγον
they said
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#4
πειράζοντες
tempting
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
#5
αὐτοῦ
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#6
ἵνα
that
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#7
ἔχωσιν
they might have
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#8
κατηγορεῖν
to accuse
to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence
#9
αὐτοῦ
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
δὲ
But
but, and, etc
#12
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#13
κάτω
down
downwards
#14
κύψας
stooped
to bend forward
#15
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
δακτύλῳ
and with his finger
a finger
#17
ἔγραφεν
wrote
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
#18
εἰς
on
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#19
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
γῆν
the ground
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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