Impatient at His delay and apparent indifference, the accusers drew nearer, urging the matter upon His attention. But as their eyes, following those of Jesus, fell upon the pavement at His feet, their countenances changed. There, traced before them, were the guilty secrets of their own lives. The people, looking on, saw the sudden change of expression, and pressed forward to discover what it was that they were regarding with such astonishment and shame.

Utålmodige over hans tøven og tilsyneladende ligegyldighed trådte anklagerne nærmere hen til ham for at påkalde sig hans opmærksomhed for sagen. Men da deres blik ved at følge Jesu blik faldt på brolægningen ved hans fødder, forandredes deres ansigtsudtryk. Der stod der skrevet, lige for øjnene af dem, om de syndige hemmeligheder i deres eget liv. Folket, der så til, så denne pludselige forandring af deres udtryk og trængte sig frem for at finde ud af, hvad det var, som de betragtede med en sådan forbavselse og skamfuldhed.