{Tempting him} (peirazontes auton). Evil sense of this
present active participle of peiraz(935c), as so often ( Mr 8:11  10:2 , etc.). {That they might have whereof to accuse him} (hina
ech(9373)in kat(8867)orein autou). Purpose clause with hina and
present active subjunctive of ech(935c). This laying of traps for
Jesus was a common practice of his enemies ( Lu 11:16 , etc.).
Note present active infinitive of kat(8867)ore(935c) (see  Mt 12:10  for
the verb) to go on accusing (with genitive autou). It was now a
habit with these rabbis. {Stooped down} (kat(9320)kupsas). First
aorist active participle of kupt(935c), old verb to bow the head, to
bend forward, in N.T. only here and verse  8  Mr 1:7 . The use of
kat(935c) (down) gives a vivid touch to the picture. {With his
finger} (	(9369) daktul(9369)). Instrumental case of daktulos for
which see  Mt 23:4 . {Wrote on the ground} (kategraphen eis t(886e)
g(886e)). Imperfect active of katagraph(935c), old compound, here only
in N.T., to draw, to delineate, to write down, apparently
inchoative, began to write on the sand as every one has done
sometimes. The only mention of writing by Jesus and the use of
katagraph(935c) leaves it uncertain whether he was writing words or
drawing pictures or making signs. If we only knew what he wrote!
Certainly Jesus knew how to write. And yet more books have been
written about this one who wrote nothing that is preserved than
any other person or subject in human history. There is a
tradition that Jesus wrote down the names and sins of these
accusers. That is not likely. They were written on their hearts.
Jesus alone on this occasion showed embarrassment over this
woman's sin.