G1888 G1888
in the very act, red-handed
A phrase meaning 'caught in the act' or 'in flagrante delicto,' from αὐτόφωρος (self-detected). John 8:4 uses this expression when the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman 'caught in the very act' (ἐπ᾽ αὐτοφώρῳ) of adultery to Jesus. This is incontrovertible evidence, eyewitness observation that leaves no room for denial or doubt about the crime.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The accusers emphasize the undeniable nature of the woman's guilt. Spanish 'el mismo acto,' French 'en flagrant délit,' and German 'auf frischer Tat' all capture the immediate, irrefutable detection. Yet despite this damning evidence, Jesus' response shifts focus from her guilt to the accusers' hypocrisy, ultimately offering mercy rather than the stone-judgment they demand. The phrase heightens the drama of Jesus' unexpected clemency. 1×
AR["ذاتِ-الفِعل"]·ben["স্বহস্তে"]·DE["auf-frischer-Tat"]·EN["the-very-act"]·FR["en-flagrant-délit"]·heb["מַעֲשֶׂה"]·HI["रंगे-हाथों"]·ID["perbuatan"]·IT["autophoro"]·jav["ketangkep-tangan,"]·KO["현장에서"]·PT["flagrante"]·RU["месте-преступления"]·ES["el-mismo-acto"]·SW["kitendo-chenyewe"]·TR["tam-suçüstü"]·urd["عین-فعل"]
Related Senses
H4941 1. justice, righteousness (134×)H4941 2. judgment, judicial decision (119×)H4941 3. ordinances, statutes (plural) (110×)H8199 1. to judge, adjudicate (98×)G2919 1. judge, pass judgment (76×)H8199 2. judge (person, office-holder) (61×)G2920 1. judgment / condemnation (48×)H7378 1. Qal: quarrel, contend, strive (42×)H4941 4. prescribed ordinance, regulation (34×)G1832 1. it is lawful, it is permitted (32×)G2917 1. judgment, condemnation (27×)G2919 2. be judged, stand trial (27×)H5360 1. vengeance, retribution (27×)H7378 2. Qal: plead, defend, litigate (22×)G2723 1. accuse, bring charges against (20×)G2923 1. judge (one who judges/decides) (19×)G2632 1. condemn, pass judgment against (18×)H1777 1. judge, adjudicate (18×)H1576 1. recompense, retribution (17×)H5359 1. vengeance, retribution (17×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Related to: αὐτό-φωρος, ον, (φώρ) self-detected, ἀμπλακήματαRefs 5th c.BC+ __II mostly in the phrase ἐπ᾽ αὐτοφώρῳ λαμβάνειν to catch in the act, Refs 5th c.BC+ __II.2 in a more general sense, notoriously, manifestly, ἐπιβουλεύοντας φανῆναι ἐπ᾽ αὐ.Refs 5th c.BC+