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Q3. (John 12:12-13) What about the people's praise show they believed Jesus to be the Messiah? On this occasion, why doesn't Jesus shun such an open declaration that He is the Messiah, as He has in the past? Having seen and heard about Lazarus being raised from the dead, the people had mighty hopes and expectations. I think the majority of them saw Him not as a Saviour but rather as a liberator who would free them from the shackles of Rome. He was the Messiah who has come to occupy the throne of David. However, they did welcome Him as a great prophet, teacher and healer, the man of God. On this occasion, Jesus had a deliberate purpose in His actions. He went out of His way to enter Jerusalem on a donkey, not as a warlike leader, but as a king of peace. This was all done as foretold in Zechariah 9:9 to reveal Him as the promised King. He wanted them to know that He had come from God to save His people, the One Who came in humility and peace.

Q2. (John 12:14-16) What is the prophetic significance of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Why did He do it? What was the effect on the crowds? By riding into Jerusalem on a donkey Jesus was fulfilling prophecy as written in Zechariah 9:9-10. He did this to fulfil the Word of God and to fulfil the will of God. And it was also time for all to know Him as the Messiah. This is the victorious entry of a great king, the culmination of three years of teaching, healing, and ministry. Jesus’ entry on a young donkey was a sign that He came in peace, not as a conquering warrior. There was a large crowd because of the Passover. They had also been in Bethany the day before looking for Lazarus, and now they were waiting for Jesus’ arrival. Because of the miracle Jesus had performed earlier all were excited wanting to catch a glimpse of Him. They took palm branches and went to meet him; shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel!” Thinking everything was possible with Jesus. However, did they really understand that He was the Son of God and the Messiah? There must have been true believers, but most probably most did not fully comprehend the significance of it all.

Q1. (John 12:3-8) Why did Judas object to Mary's extravagant act of devotion? Why did Jesus defend her? Why did Mary do this? What does this teach us about worship? Does your worship tend to be cheap or extravagant? For you, what would be extravagant worship? Judas, being the treasurer, obviously feels that this is a complete waste of money, as the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds handed over to the treasurer – meaning there would have been more for him to steal. We often see people go astray in the area of their strength; for example the accountant becomes an embezzler, or the counsellor gives in to sexual sin. By defending Mary’s act of worship, Jesus was emphasizing that the opportunity to show love to Him on earth was limited, as He would soon be leaving them. It was a symbol of consecration for that divine work which Jesus was about to do. An early preparation for His death. She also demonstrated her love and devotion for the Lord. He had just recently raised her brother Lazarus from the dead and she knew Jesus was the Son of God. In light of this, her act of gratitude is not extravagant in comparison to what He means to her. Even if we do not fully understand the grace and immeasurable love that He poured upon us, we need to follow Mary’s example and magnify Him by giving all that we have, our very selves. Jesus is more interested in our total surrender to Him than all the money, time, and possessions we may give.

Q6. (John 11:54) Why did Jesus withdraw to Ephraim? Does this show fear? What does this teach us about strategic retreat? The decision had been made to murder Jesus. So, Jesus and His disciples, move to a remote village of Ephraim because the time designated in God’s eternal plan for His death had not yet fully arrived. It does not show fear at all. God is in control, He is the Almighty Creator of the heaven and earth, and fears no man. God not only can, but may do whatever He pleases - He has the sovereign right over all His creatures, and may dispose of them and deal with them as He pleases. God is sovereign – "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

Q5. (John 11:49-53). What did Caiaphas intend to say to the Sanhedrin? What is the prophetic meaning of his statement? Caiaphas told the Sanhedrin that it was better that Jesus would die for the people, rather than that the whole nation should have trouble with the Romans. It was almost as if Caiaphas understood the reason for Jesus’ coming into the world. Of course he did not, but it was a prophetic message God had given him to say. He was used by God as God spoke through him because of the position he held as high priest, and not because of his own personal righteousness, for he was a sinful man. However, the prophecy of Caiaphas was not that the Lord would die for the nation of Israel only, but also that He would gather together His elect among the Gentiles of the earth.

Q4. (John 11:32-38) Different writers interpret Jesus' emotions on this occasion differently. Why do you think Jesus was "deeply moved"? Why did He weep? Jesus was deeply moved when He witnessed the terrible effects of sin on the human race. He grieves because of the darkness which blinds the people to the truth, and the fact that they cannot recognize Him for who He truly is. He weeps for all the lost souls. By weeping Jesus showed us evidence of His true humanity.

Q3. (John 11:27) Based on Luke 10:38-42, what is Martha's reputation compared to that of her sister Mary? What is so amazing about Martha's confession? What does this tell us about her? Which of the sisters seems more spiritual on this day - Martha or Mary? I feel that both have excellent qualities, but only in a different way. Martha is a very practical person, and is so busy being a good hostess, gracious and polite, that she has not so much time to be with the Lord. She is the one that took the lead in extending a warm welcome to Jesus. Mary is the more relaxed sister seated at Jesus’ feet listening to her beloved Saviour. Both loved the Lord dearly. When Jesus asks Martha directly if she believes Jesus is who He said He was, it might look like she did not fully understand the meaning of what Jesus had said, yet she accepts Him. She confesses He is the Christ, the Son of God, who has come from God Himself into the world. We should note that she made this confession before Jesus had raised her brother from the dead and not afterwards! I do not think we can say which of the sisters is the more spiritual.

Q2. (John 11:25-26) In what sense does Jesus embody resurrection? In what sense does He embody life? What is the great promise that He offers us in verses 25 and 26? Jesus is the resurrection and the life in person. This is the fifth great I AM. The others being: The Bread of Life (6:35), The Light of the World (8:12); The Gate (10:9); The Good Shepherd (10:11); The Way, The Truth (14:6); and The Vine (15:5). Both the resurrection and the life are rooted in Him, as He is both the cause and source of our resurrection and our everlasting life. We read earlier (1:3-4) that He is life: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men”. The great promise Jesus offers us is eternal life. Without Jesus there is nothing but death. However, with Him present our resurrection and life is assured. Because He lives we too shall live.

Q1. (John 11:16) What does verse 16 teach us about Thomas's character? About his faith? Some may think Thomas was a real pessimist and lacked any faith or courage. He must have reasoned that if our Lord Jesus went back to Jerusalem, the Jews there, would kill Him, Thomas, and the disciples as well. Later we do read that Thomas and the rest of the disciples all left Jesus and fled when He was apprehended. Jesus had foretold that this would happen (16:32). However, I think Thomas was dedicated to his beloved Master, and was very concerned that our Lord would come to some harm, or even be killed. He expected the worst, but was prepared to accompany Him, if need be, to Jerusalem. To me, this shows his strong faith and courage. He doubted Jesus’ resurrection (20:25) and because of this is known as “doubting Thomas”, but later when convinced he did confess his faith (20:28). I do feel after I had read about all the work he did in Iraq and India, that he must have been genuine in both his faith and love for the Lord.

Q4. (John 10:27-30) In the world of shepherds, who would try to "snatch" a sheep? Who would try to "snatch" a Christian if he could? What promise of absolute security are we given? How does that assure you? The thief would try to snatch a sheep for purely selfish reasons, to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. For the same evil reasons Satan would try to snatch a Christian. But our Lord and Saviour Jesus does not come to the human heart for any selfish reason. He comes to give, not to get – He gives life and even everlasting life at that! As believers we are such a privileged people, blessed beyond what we can imagine. We have this total assurance of our security in the Lord – “no-one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” What more can we ever ask or hope for? Thank you Lord!

Q3. (John 10:11-15) How does a "good shepherd" differ from what a hired shepherd would do in time of danger? In what way did Jesus the Good Shepherd "lay down His life for the sheep"? The hired shepherd did not own the sheep and his only motive for looking after the sheep was one of money. When faced with any danger he would most probably run away leaving the sheep to the mercy of the predator. He was more interested in his own welfare than in their good. This is in contrast with the Good Shepherd who has an intimate relationship with His sheep. He knows His own and His own know Him. They trust Him and when He speaks they listen and follow. Here the Lord compared His relationship with the sheep with the relationship that exists between Himself and His Father. The same union, closeness, and knowledge that there is between the Father and the Son also exists between the Shepherd and the sheep. Any good shepherd may risk his life in defending his sheep, but Jesus the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the benefit of the sheep. Meaning that He saves them from everlasting destruction and imparting everlasting life to them by Him dying instead of them. We read in Matthew 20:28: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." So it is that our Lord lay down His life for the sheep as a ransom. His death satisfied all God’s righteous demands against sin – He put away all the sins of the world, so that His sheep would have eternal life.

Q2. (John 10:10) What would an "abundant life" look like if you were a sheep with a really good shepherd? In what ways is the Christian life to be an "abundant" life? How does this abundance relate to persecutions and hardships that come to us as Christians. Can the life of an unbeliever be more "abundant," free, and fun? The really good shepherd would ideally be the owner who will have the welfare of his sheep at heart. Unlike Biblical times farmers today have to comply with certain legal requirements in attending their sheep. The shepherd would make sure that they are kept in good physical condition, have adequate food intake, even in times of drought, and sufficient protection both from the terrain, wild animals and extreme weather conditions. They would have abundant life enjoying freedom and security in the rich pastures provided. The good shepherd, like our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, will protect the sheep by his presence, but the false shepherds will take advantage of the sheep and exploit them. They want to steal the sheep from the fold, slaughter them, and destroy them. The Christian life is an abundant life full of blessings, as Jesus Himself defined in verse 10, life … to the full. We can have this close relationship with Him where we experience His presence. We know He will be with us in all situations and that we can put our trust in Him for all the wisdom, courage, and strength that might be needed. As we walk in obedience to Him we enjoy His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – with the added promise of spending eternity with Him. On our own we can never enjoy these fruit of the Spirit, it is only produced as we live in communion with the Lord. As we obey Him in daily life, and over time, the Holy Spirit works a wonderful miracle and transforms us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. The more we are occupied with the glory of our Lord, the more we are being transformed into His image. So we enjoy an abundant life occupied with Christ, not with self which brings defeat, or occupation with others which brings disappointment. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Jesus does not promise us a life free from persecutions and hardships, but He does comfort us and give us the strength to overcome these storms of adversity. It is only when we completely surrender our lives to Jesus that our lives become more abundant, free, and fun. Something an unbeliever can never experience.

Q1. (John 10:3-4) What does it mean that Jesus' sheep "know His voice"? How can you discern His voice from your own thoughts and the expectations of others? All true believers are new creatures: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God imparts new spiritual life to us, we are “born again" and have the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us in life. We have put our trust in the Lord Jesus and have received a new nature. This new nature gives us the ability to hear and know His voice. As we mature as Christians and develop a loving relationship with our Lord and Saviour, we find ourselves able to internally hear and know His voice. Of course, Jesus as our Shepherd, knows every believer who has been given by the Father. Unfortunately, the world today has rejected our Lord and the result is that their hearts are hardened, their ears are deaf, and their eyes blinded. However, believers with soft and tender hearts are able to hear His voice and yield to Him in true obedience. The normal ways God communicates with us is through prayer, His Word, and the leadings of the Holy Spirit. Often He will also send people across our way to preach His pure doctrines. It is up to us to “be still” and to be willing to hear, Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." However, often we are so busy with our “shopping list” that we rarely ever take the time to listen to what God is telling us. Sometimes the Bible refers to the Son of God as “the Word of God”; as in John 1:1 and Rev 19:13. We know from 2 Timothy 3:16 that all Scripture is "breathed out by God" and is a guide for the righteous life. It is therefore important for us to study His Word. While we meditate and study His Word we will often be able to hear His voice. As we read, we must listen. The Holy Spirit will help us and guide us to stay focused on The Word and be obedient to His commands, and not be distracted and side tracked into the sinful desires of the world. The better we know our Shepherd, the less we have to worry about heeding the wrong voice, because we will know His voice.

Q4. (John 9:39-41) Were the Pharisees responsible for their hard hearts and spiritual blindness? According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what causes spiritual blindness? Was Pharaoh responsible for his hardness of heart? (see Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34; 10:3; 13:15; 1 Samuel 6:6). The Pharisees possessed natural sight and thought they also possessed spiritual sight, but their reaction to Jesus showed they were really spiritually blind. Yet, the blind man had received both physical and spiritual sight from Jesus. So, all that the Pharisees had to do to receive spiritual sight, was to acknowledge their blindness and accept our Lord Jesus as the Messiah. But we know that they had confirmed their spiritual blindness by insisting that they can see perfectly well without the Lord Jesus. From 2 Corinthians 4:4 we know that Satan caused this spiritual blindness in the Pharisees. Pharaoh had begun to harden his own heart when Moses and Aaron performed the first miraculous sign before him, just as God said he would. (Exodus7:3). And he continued to do so with each visit of Moses. Unknown to Pharaoh he was acting in accordance with God’s plan of getting the Jews out of Egypt. However, we should note that God does not harden a man’s heart who has not first hardened it himself.

Q3. (John 9:35-38) Why did Jesus go looking for the man he had healed? What was the healed man's level of openness? His level of faith? His knowledge? What did he need at this point? What people do you know who are so ready that they just need some guidance in how to believe in Jesus? Having heard that the man He had just healed was thrown out of his synagogue, Jesus went to find him. Here we see Jesus taking the initiative in opening the man’s spiritual eyes – the same as He did in giving this man physical sight. If God did not take the initiative in salvation, no one would be saved, since we, as sinners, cannot seek Him on our own. We studied in (6:44): "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day”. Just as in this case - Jesus reveals Himself and his eyes are opened. The blind man would not worship a mere man, but as soon as he realized that Jesus was the Son of Man, he worshipped Him – not for what He had done but for who He was. Unfortunately there are people I know who stubbornly refuse to believe in Jesus. Some of them are the most wonderful people who would be good Christians. How tragic.

Q2. (John 9:6). Why do you think Jesus healed in different ways? Laying on of hands, command, mud on eyes, fingers in ears, etc.? How much do you think was at his Father's direction (5:19, 30; 12:49). Why is it important to seek God's guidance in how we should minister to a person? I don’t think it is important what method Jesus used, it is more important for us to believe in Him and then to trust and obey. He must have healed in accordance with each different situation and have taken into account the differences in the people involved. Jesus was linked with God the Father and therefore He did not act on His own. Jesus did have the power to do anything by Himself, since He is one with The Father, and not independent but fully equal with God. Our Lord Jesus clearly intended that the Jews would think of Him as equal with God. So He acted in unison with our Heavenly Father. For this to happen Jesus had to have continual access to the Father and complete knowledge of Divine matters. When Jesus says “by Myself I can do nothing” (5:30), it is His own self-limitation which He took upon Himself when He came down to earth. He came down as a man, not to do His own will but the Father's will. We can of course minister to a person in our own strength, but we would be foolish to do that; how much more powerful it will be if we first seek His guidance, and then act in accordance with the will of God. Believers in fellowship with our Heavenly Father will follow Jesus’ example and not act by ourselves but only in obedience to Him.

Q1. (John 9:1-3) Is sin always the cause of sickness or affliction? What are some of the good results that come out of the sicknesses and afflictions of godly people? Very often we hear that personal suffering is due to personal sin. There is also the uncertainty of who is directly responsible – the person self or maybe even one of the parents. We know that sin has brought suffering with it into the world, but it is not always true that personal suffering is due to personal sin. In this miracle, that Jesus performed, we see His glory displayed. This is, however, not always the case, for suffering is not always healed or removed. Often His glory is displayed by the courageous acceptance of the suffering – showing His strength in our weakness. Without our Lord Jesus we are all walking in darkness and are spiritually blind. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”. Satan, the god of this age puts a veil over the minds of unbelievers, keeping them in perpetual darkness. They will never see the light of the gospel of the glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our only hope is for His forgiveness and cleansing of sin.

Q6. (John 8:58) What does Jesus' statement, "Before Abraham was, I am," tell us about Jesus? How does this statement relate to John 1:1-5? Jesus’ statement is nothing less than a claim to full deity. He did not say that before Abraham He was, which would simply state that He came into existence before Abraham. Instead He uses the Name of God: I AM; meaning that our Lord Jesus had dwelt with God the Father from all eternity. That is why He said that before Abraham was, I AM. This is confirmed in John 1:1-5 where we learn that Jesus existed from all eternity. He was never created. He had no beginning, and all things were created through Him. He is the truth, the light that shines in the darkness!

Q5. (John 8:44) What does this verse teach us about the devil's character? What does this tell us about people who don't always tell the truth? If Jesus is "the Truth" (14:6), what is a habitual liar? We learn that the devil hates truth and that there is absolutely no truth in him. He is a liar and the father of lies. By not telling the truth people are actually imitating the devil, and they are living the way he lives. To this day he continues to deceive people, we read in 2 Corinthians 4:4: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” In our world today we see that the devil is having a field day keeping people in perpetual darkness, blinding them to the truth of the Gospel. The devil puts up barriers between unbelievers and God. These barriers may be, amongst many things, our pride, or our rebellion, even our self-righteousness. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me (14:6).” The world says that it does not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere, and that all religions ultimately lead to heaven. This is all lies – the devil trying to deceive us as usual. Jesus is the only Way. The Lord Jesus is not just one of many ways. No one comes to the Father except through Him. Those who have Christ have the Truth. It is not found anywhere else. He is the truth. This tells us that the habitual liar is not of God.

Q4. (John 8:34-36) How does sinning enslave a person? What is necessary to set a person free from bondage to sin? What part does Jesus' "truth" (8:32) have in this? How does the "Son" set people free? If you find yourself trapped by habitual sin, how can you get free? Sin enslaves by controlling every aspect of our lives, subjecting us to all kinds of evil lusts and pleasures. The only way to be set free from this bondage of sin is to put our faith in Jesus. It is by His death and Resurrection that we are freed from the hold that sin has on our lives. It is only once we believe in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and obey His Word, that our sins are paid for, and that we start to realise and begin to understand the truth which brings spiritual freedom. This is the ‘truth’ that gives us freedom from, amongst others, the bondage of sin. We read in Romans 6:18, “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness”. And again in Romans 6:22, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life”. We have been washed from our sin and impurity through the precious blood of Christ, and are being continually washed from uncleanness through the Word of God. Once we have died to sin we become a new creation, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). By putting our trust in our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ we receive eternal life and are adopted into the family of God with all the privileges and responsibilities that go with it. If we continually persist in sin then we have not been freed from sin. We might begin to question our salvation. In a true believer no form of sin can have a habitual hold over a person. Yes, we will trip up now and then as we continue growing in faith. If we find ourselves trapped by habitual sin, we must come again in full repentance and trust in Jesus. If sincere this bondage will be broken.

Q3. (John 8:31-32) What is the mark of a "real" disciple? What does it mean to "continue" in Jesus' word? What truth sets us free? When this is quoted in a secular content, how does its meaning differ from its context here in John's Gospel? Jesus makes a distinction between a nominal disciple who professes to be a learner and a true or real disciple who is committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. The real disciple’s faith is always strong and consistent, never wavering. They are truly born again. To "continue" in the Word means to be consistently studying, meditating and applying His Word to their lives – persevering until the end of their lives. The truth about Jesus sets the real disciple free. Jesus makes this promise that every true disciple shall know the truth, and it is this spiritual truth that makes them free from bondage. Unfortunately the Jews did not recognise this truth and they stayed in bondage to ignorance, sin, law, and superstition. It is only when we truly know the Lord Jesus that we discover that we are delivered from sin, walk in the light, and are led by the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus is speaking about spiritual truth and not secular or scientific truth.

Q2. (John 8:21-24) What does it mean to "die in your sins"? What is the consequence of this? How is it possible for Jesus' enemies to be speaking with the Saviour from sin without receiving forgiveness from Him? They are so close, but so far! Do you know anyone like this? To “die in your sins” means eternal separation from our Lord. By refusing to accept the Lord Jesus you are prevented from entering heaven, and the terrible consequence will be to die without God, without Christ, and without hope forever! God’s righteousness demands punishment for sin. Jesus’ sacrifice bears the wrath of God against sin - Jesus paid the price for our sin. When sin is punished God is shown to be a just God. We can just imagine if Christ had not come to pay the penalty for our sins, we would all be dead in our transgressions, and face eternity in hell! So God in His love, grace, and mercy devised a plan to save us from our sins. Justice is done and our Heavenly Father is shown to be a righteous God. Unfortunately there are those whose hearts are hardened who refuse to listen, and they will die in their sins: “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Q1. (John 8:12) In what sense is Jesus the Light of the World? What is Jesus' promise concerning light for His followers? Exactly what does that mean for the way you live? We all walk in total darkness, in the darkness of sin, ignorance, and aimlessness, until our Lord Jesus comes into our lives and brings life and immortality. He lights up and points the way. Also, without Him there is no deliverance from the darkness of sin – He paid the price for our sin. Without the ‘Light of the World’ we are in spiritual darkness, and trapped in the unfruitful works of darkness: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (Ephesians 5:11). So by following Jesus we receive His Word and yield to Him in body, soul, and spirit. This is a full commitment. Which reminds me of one of my favourite verses in Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). We obey His commandments out of love: ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). It is an acknowledgement of Him in every area of our lives, and He will light up our paths and make them straight. We come to Him in in repentance, and to believe on Him. Apart from Him, there is no deliverance from the blackness of sin, there is no guidance along the way of life, no knowledge as to the real meaning of life and the issues of eternity. Jesus promised that anyone following Him would not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

Q4. (John 8:10-11) Why didn't Jesus condemn the lady? Was she guilty, do you think? Instead of condemnation, what did Jesus tell her to do? Why is repentance necessary for salvation? What happens to the gospel when we don't emphasize repentance? Jesus did not condemn the woman because this whole episode was only contrived to trap Jesus. I don’t think she was guilty of the sin of adultery – where was the man? According to the Law of Moses they had to be caught in the act with witnesses. Not so easy. It sounds as if she was being used by the Pharisees. Instead of condemnation Jesus tells her to go and be obedient to the law. Without repentance there can be no salvation. It must also be a genuine repentance which results in a changed life and a deep remorse over past sins. There will be a sincere decision to forsake sin and a realization that all sin is committed against God. Perhaps today there is not enough emphasis on sin and its consequences and that God abhors all sin. In Psalm 51 David writes about his sin as dirtying the soul, dominating the mind, and disgracing the Lord.

Q3. (John 8:3-8) Why do you think Jesus wrote on the ground? Was the content of His writing important to the story? What effect did this have on the situation? I feel that the fact that Jesus did not immediately reply, and that He took His time by writing on the ground with His finger, was a gesture which helped to increase the tension of the moment. At the same time it would also emphasize His reply. One commentator feels that Jesus elsewhere uses the image of “the finger of God” (Luke 11:20) to refer to His exercise of Divine authority. Also, it was with “God’s finger” that the law had been written on the tablets of stone at Sinai (Exodus 32:16). However, I don’t think the content of His writing is important to the story. If it was it would have been included in Scripture. What is more important is that Jesus’ words are clear enough: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”