The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus' response isn't just about his divinity; it's a masterful redirection. The Jews pick up stones, ready to condemn him for blasphemy, but Jesus turns their accusation back on them by pointing to Scripture itself, which calls even human judges "gods." This highlights that their rage is rooted in a refusal to see what God has revealed, not a valid theological disagreement.
The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just declared His unity with the Father, claiming divine authority and power that deeply offended His listeners. In response to this perceived blasphemy, the crowd's anger escalates, and they pick up stones to execute Him, a punishment prescribed for blasphemers. This action echoes a similar attempt months earlier and sets the stage for Jesus to defend His divine claims by quoting Scripture and highlighting His works.
Why did the crowd immediately reach for stones? It wasn't just anger; it was about a perceived violation of God's honor.
In ancient Jewish law, blasphemy was a capital offense, punishable by stoning.
Faced with a mob ready to kill him, Jesus didn't retaliate. Instead, he calmly presented evidence and scripture. How?
Jesus' response to the mob's violent intent is remarkably composed and strategic. Instead of fleeing or fighting, he uses their aggression as an opportunity to teach.
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Understand the original words
Ioudaioi · Greek Noun
A term often used in John's Gospel to refer to the religious leadership and those who opposed Jesus' claims; it represents a spirit of unbelief among the people of Israel.
lithazō · Greek Verb
A legalistic mode of execution in ancient Israelite culture, signifying extreme judgment for violations of the covenant or blasphemy against God.
The attempt to stone Jesus in John 10:31 was not a random act of violence, but a direct response to his claims of divine authority, rooted in their understanding of Mosaic Law regarding blasphemy, and a re-escalation of conflict that had occurred earlier.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem
During Jesus' ministry, he frequently taught in Jerusalem, particularly in the temple courts, leading to intense confrontations with Jewish authorities.
c. 30-33 AD
Attempted Stoning at Feast of Tabernacles
Earlier in the same year, during the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus' opponents had already attempted to stone him, highlighting their escalating hostility. Jesus then hid himself.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Claim of Unity with the Father
In John 10, Jesus declares himself to be one with the Father, a statement his audience interprets as blasphemy punishable by stoning under Jewish law.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Defense and Quotation of Scripture
Jesus defends his claim by referencing Scripture, specifically Psalm 82, where judges are called 'gods,' to show that his statement was not blasphemy in God's eyes.
c. 30-33 AD
Jewish Law on Blasphemy
Under Mosaic Law, blasphemy, especially claiming divinity falsely, was a capital offense punishable by stoning (Leviticus 24:16). This law fueled the outrage of Jesus' accusers.
This passage details the Old Testament law prescribing stoning as the punishment for blasphemy, directly informing the Jews' violent reaction to Jesus' claims of divinity and their justification for picking up stones.
John 8:59This verse describes a previous attempt by the Jews to stone Jesus, highlighting the 'again' in John 10:31 and showing a recurring pattern of violent opposition from them when Jesus made bold claims about himself.
Psalm 82:6Jesus directly quotes this psalm in His defense (John 10:34), arguing that if lesser 'gods' (judges and rulers) were called such, His own claim as the Son of God should not be met with stoning.
Deuteronomy 13:5This passage calls for the stoning of false prophets, which the Jews likely used as a pretext for their actions, seeing Jesus' claims and miracles as a dangerous deception that needed to be stopped according to the Law.
Romans 13:1-2This New Testament passage speaks about God ordaining governing authorities and resistance to them being resistance to God. While not directly about stoning Jesus, it provides a theological backdrop for the escalating conflict between divine authority (Jesus) and human authority (the Jewish leaders).
barnesJohn 10:31: "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."
The Jews took up stones - Stoning was the punishment of a blasphemer, Leviticus 24:14-16 . They considered him guilty of blasphemy because he made himself equal with God, John 10:33 . Again - They had before plotted against his life John 5:16, John 5:18, and once at least they had taken up stones to destroy him, John 8:59.
vincentJohn 10:31: "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."
Took up - again (ἐβάστασαν - πάλιν)Again refers to John 8:59. It seems as though a different verb is purposely chosen here (compare ἦραν took up, in John 8:59), since the interview took place in Solomon's porch, where stones would not be at hand. The verb here may mean to take up. So Ajax says:"Send some one as a messenger to bearThe evil news to Teucros, that he firstMay lift (βαστάσῃ) my corpse by this sharp sword transfix…
Jesus' response isn't just about his divinity; it's a masterful redirection. The Jews pick up stones, ready to condemn him for blasphemy, but Jesus turns their accusation back on them by pointing to Scripture itself, which calls even human judges "gods." This highlights that their rage is rooted in a refusal to see what God has revealed, not a valid theological disagreement.
Jesus has just declared His unity with the Father, claiming divine authority and power that deeply offended His listeners. In response to this perceived blasphemy, the crowd's anger escalates, and they pick up stones to execute Him, a punishment prescribed for blasphemers. This action echoes a similar attempt months earlier and sets the stage for Jesus to defend His divine claims by quoting Scripture and highlighting His works.
Jesus has just declared His unity with the Father, claiming divine authority and power that deeply offended His listeners. In response to this perceived blasphemy, the crowd's anger escalates, and they pick up stones to execute Him, a punishment prescribed for blasphemers. This action echoes a similar attempt months earlier and sets the stage for Jesus to defend His divine claims by quoting Scripture and highlighting His works.
"The Jews picked up stones again to stone him." — Jesus' response isn't just about his divinity; it's a masterful redirection. The Jews pick up stones, ready to condemn him for blasphemy, but Jesus turns their accusation back on them by pointing to…
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Last reviewed October 2026