What did Jesus write in the dust?

John chapter 8 recounts the story of the woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus by the Pharisees attempting to trap Him in a matter of Mosaic Law. What he wrote in the dust while they were about their nasty business has been a matter of conjecture between Biblical scholars, students and critics for centuries. Using the time tested method of letting Scripture interpret Scripture, I here submit to you just exactly what He wrote:


John 8:6-8

6) 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.

7) So 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.

8) And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. AKJV

Jeremiah 17:13

O hope of Israel! Lord,

all that forsake thee shall be ashamed;

and those that depart from Me

shall be written in the dust

because they have forsaken the LORD,

the fountain of living waters. JUB

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.” NKJV

O Lord, the Hope of Israel,

all who forsake You shall be put to shame.

They who depart from You and me [Your prophet]

shall [disappear like] writing upon the ground,

because they have forsaken the Lord,

the Fountain of living waters. AMP

The hope of Israel [is] Jehovah,

All forsaking Thee are ashamed,

And `My apostates' 

in the earth are written,

For they have forsaken Jehovah,

A fountain of living waters. YLT