ἐπαυτόφωρος, αὐτόφωρος (epautophōros, autophōros)
epautophōros, autophōros
in the very act
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective autophōros describes someone caught in the very act of committing a crime, specifically theft. Its components literally mean "self-thief," painting a vivid picture of a person holding the stolen goods while still engaged in the act. This term emphasizes immediacy and undeniable presence at the scene of wrongdoing.
In Scripture, this word appears only once, in John 8:4, where it is used in a proposed legal scenario. The text suggests bringing before Jesus a woman caught autophōros, meaning she was seized on the spot rather than after investigation. This specific detail highlights the public nature of her shame and the clarity of the evidence against her.
Translators typically render this as "caught in the act" to convey the suddenness of the arrest. The word carries no nuance of guilt determination, only the factual state of being discovered during the offense. It serves as a stark backdrop for the narrative, focusing attention on the moment of exposure rather than the subsequent judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word autophōros paints a vivid picture of someone caught red-handed. It describes a person discovered in the very moment of wrongdoing, holding the evidence before any judgment can be made. This immediacy strips away the ability to hide or deny what has happened.
In John 8:4, this term sets the stage for a profound encounter. The woman is not merely suspected; she is present with undeniable proof against her. Yet, the story does not end in condemnation. Instead, it moves toward grace, showing that even when we are fully exposed, mercy is still available.
This word reminds us that no sin is hidden from God’s sight. However, it also points to a deeper truth: being caught does not mean being abandoned. In our moments of failure, we can look to the One who offers forgiveness rather than immediate punishment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] very act1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αὐτοφώρῳ1×
Key Verses
-
John 8:4
they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act.
The phrase 'in the very act' uses autophōros to emphasize that the woman was discovered with undeniable, immediate evidence of her sin.