[Greek] κατήγορος (katēgoros), [Latin] accusator: accuser, one who accuses, prosecutor, one speaking against someone; Jn.8:10, Acts 23:30,35, Acts 24:8, Acts 25:16,18
The Woman Taken in Adultery: painting by Rembrandt (1644). Jesus appears in the light, while the Jews appear in the dark. Jesus’ taller height represents His morality superiority over those who attempted to trick Him. But Jesus ultimately compels everyone else to walk away.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means accuser, public prosecutor, and betrayer. Sophocles’ Trachiniae 814 states “Why do leave in silence? You must know that silence pleads the cause of your accuser.” Lysias’ On the Olive Stump 7.11 states “My accuser says that in Souniades, an olive stump was uprooted by the previous cultivators, who rented it for a number of years, have testified to you that there was no stump. I ask you, how could one convict the accuser more patently of lying?” Plato’s Apology 18a states “First then it is right for me to defend myself against the first false accusations brought against me, and the first accusers, and then against the later accusations and the later accusations.” Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes 439 states “Here too gain follows with interest from gain (insolence). The tongue prove in the end to an unerring accuser of wicked men’s thoughts.”
Old Testament: This term means strife, controversy, dispute, complain, cause, and adversary. He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the sons of Israel (Exo.17:7). You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute (Exo.23:2). Blessed be the Lord, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal (1Sam.25:39). And may He see and plead my cause and delivered me from your hand (1Sam.24:15). If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves when they filed a complaint against me (Job 31:13). And the indictment which my adversary has written (Job 31:35).
New Testament: This term means accuser. Paul was arrested by the Roman authorities. As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled with certain rights when accusers make charges against him. An adulterous woman was set to be stoned to death by the people. Jesus intervenes and highlights the accusers’ moral consciences. Jesus states that the one without sin can be the first to throw a stone at her. As a result, they all went away one by one. Jesus tells the woman to sin no more.
Scripture:
“I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he face his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.” Acts 25:16
As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled to certain rights in facing his accusers.
“Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’” Jn.8:10
Jesus essentially guilts the accusers from throwing stones at the adulterous woman.
Etymology: The related Greek noun kategoria is essentially an accusation. The Greek noun agora means assembly (public arena). One speaks in assembly (-agoreuo) against (kata-) someone. In a sense the person accused can often become “categorized” by that charge (accusation).
Conclusion
Category, categorize, accuse, accuser, accusation
It is interesting to note that one can often be “categorized” (put into a category) by an accusation. For example: “you are a thief”.
Even in the Greek Hellenistic era, the public prosecutor held a position of authority. It is also true, in any period of time, that one’s silence (not speaking up in one’s defense) may be viewed as a sign of guilt.
The Old Testament culture also develops the notion of Satan as the great accuser and adversary. The Greek diabolos means one who throws (-ballo) accusations against (dia-) someone. This idea continues in the New Testament. The notion of a cause can take on both a positive and negative sense.
As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled to certain rights pertaining to being accused. Paul had the right to a legal trial, the right for Caesar to hear his case, the right not be to be scourged, and the right not to receive the death penalty (with the exception of treason). Jesus essentially guilts the accusers of the adulterous woman. All the accusers walked away.
Currents events: As with past history, politics is being continually filled with accusations thrown by the accusers and the accused in the public arena (agora). There should be no question about that.
Categorically speaking, I found this term term to be very interesting, since I have an interest in etymology (word origins). No surprises there!
My next post: About being surprised and astonished. (Are you surprised?)