John 8:59
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Original Language Analysis
ἦραν
took they up
G142
ἦραν
took they up
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
1 of 22
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
βάλωσιν
cast
G906
βάλωσιν
cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
5 of 22
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
ἐπ'
at
G1909
ἐπ'
at
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτῶν·
him
G846
αὐτῶν·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
8 of 22
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
13 of 22
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱεροῦ
the temple
G2411
ἱεροῦ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
15 of 22
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
17 of 22
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
αὐτῶν·
him
G846
αὐτῶν·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 11:8His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?Leviticus 24:16And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
Historical Context
This incident occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2), when Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims. Temple precincts had stones readily available for construction or repair. The attempt to stone Jesus in the temple itself shows how His claims provoked religious authorities beyond mere theological disagreement into murderous rage.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's claim 'Before Abraham was, I AM' force a decision—either worship Him as God or reject Him as blasphemer?
- What does Jesus's supernatural escape teach about God's sovereignty over the timing of His own sacrifice?
- How should Christians respond when confessing Christ's deity provokes hostile reactions—with fear or confidence in His protecting power?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then took they up stones to cast at him (ἦραν οὖν λίθους ἵνα βάλωσιν ἐπ' αὐτόν, eran oun lithous hina balosin ep' auton)—The crowd's violent response to Jesus's claim 'Before Abraham was, I am' (8:58) proves they understood His deity claim. Stoning was prescribed for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), and they recognized Jesus's ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi, 'I AM') as invoking God's covenant name from Exodus 3:14. But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by (Ἰησοῦς δὲ ἐκρύβη καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ, Iesous de ekrybe kai exelthen ek tou hierou)—His escape demonstrates supernatural power; no mob can kill God's Son before His appointed hour (John 7:30; 8:20).
This verse reveals the fundamental division: some recognize Jesus as Yahweh incarnate and worship; others recognize the claim and seek to kill Him for 'blasphemy.' There is no middle ground when confronting Christ's deity. His ability to pass through the hostile crowd prefigures His resurrection power—death cannot hold Him when He chooses otherwise.