Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it seems like a simple escape, the Greek word used here, "went forth," implies Jesus deliberately walked out, not that he was physically snatched away. This highlights that his departure wasn't just evasion, but a controlled action demonstrating his divine authority, even as their rage boiled over.
Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just declared His unity with the Father, a statement the Jewish leaders understood as blasphemy, prompting them to pick up stones to kill Him. After He slipped away from their attempt in John 8, they are now reacting with renewed anger to His claims of divine authority. Though they again try to seize Him, Jesus miraculously slips away, and He then retreats to the region across the Jordan River.
Jesus’ enemies were furious, ready to stone Him. Yet, He didn’t fight back, nor did He simply vanish. What happened next reveals so much about His mission and power.
In John 10, the religious leaders’ anger escalates. After Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one," they pick up stones to kill Him (John 10:31). Their rage is palpable, and they explicitly accuse Him of blasphemy for claiming divine authority.
However, the text says, "they sought again to arrest him, but he escaped out of their hands." This wasn't a physical struggle or a clever trick. The original language suggests He "went forth out of" their grasp, implying an effortless departure. This miraculous escape isn't about Jesus avoiding confrontation out of fear. It's a powerful demonstration of His divine authority and control. His "hour" had not yet come for crucifixion, and God Himself ensured His safety until that appointed time.
This event shows that Jesus’ life was not subject to the violent whims of His enemies. He moved in accordance with God's perfect timing, protected by divine power.
Jesus didn't just say He was from God; He pointed to undeniable proof. When words failed, His actions spoke volumes, yet His enemies still refused to believe.
The immediate context leading up to Jesus' escape highlights His argument. He challenges His accusers: "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though you do not believe me, believe the works" (John 10:37-38). Jesus is asserting that His miracles are not mere human achievements. They are powerful, irrefutable evidence of His divine connection and authority – the "works of my Father."
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He forces them to confront a logical dilemma: if they don't believe His words about His identity, they must still reckon with the divine power displayed in His deeds. These works testify that "the Father is in me, and I in him." Despite this clear evidence, their hearts remain hardened. Instead of accepting the testimony of the miracles, they intensify their murderous intent.
This reveals a crucial truth: genuine faith isn't solely based on intellectual assent but on recognizing and submitting to the divine evidence God provides. Jesus' works were meant to draw people to belief, not just to impress them.
Understand the original words
piazō · Greek Verb
Refers to the act of seizing someone, often to bring them to justice or to execute judgment. In the ministry of Jesus, it signifies the hostile opposition of the Jewish leaders.
baptizō · Greek Verb
A ritual practice of washing with water to signify repentance, cleansing from sin, and identification with God’s covenant purposes. It served as the primary mission of John the Baptist to prepare the way for the Messiah.
This verse captures a moment of intense confrontation in Jerusalem, highlighting Jesus' divine ability to evade His determined enemies when His 'hour' had not yet come, and demonstrating His strategic withdrawal to continue His mission elsewhere.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem
During Jesus' ministry, particularly in Jerusalem, He frequently encountered opposition from religious leaders who questioned His authority and claims.
c. AD 30
Previous Attempts to Arrest Jesus
The Gospel of John records multiple instances where crowds or authorities attempted to seize Jesus, showing a pattern of escalating conflict.
c. AD 30
Jesus Retreats East of the Jordan
Following this incident, Jesus withdrew to the region east of the Jordan River, a common practice when facing intense opposition in Jerusalem.
c. AD 30
Growing Belief in Perea
In the region of Perea, many people came to Jesus, drawing further away from the hostile environment in Jerusalem and testifying to John the Baptist's prior witness.
This passage describes Jesus passing directly through the midst of a hostile crowd who intended to throw him off a cliff, demonstrating a similar pattern of miraculous escape from imminent danger.
John 8:59Here, Jesus also eludes arrest by hiding himself and passing unseen through the temple when the crowd picks up stones to throw at him, mirroring the tactic used in John 10:39.
Acts 5:18-19This describes the apostles being miraculously delivered from prison by an angel, showing God's power to rescue His servants when their appointed time has not yet come.
2 Kings 6:14-17Elisha's servant is shown a divine army of chariots and horses surrounding them, blinding their enemies so they could escape, illustrating God's protective power for those He appoints.
barnesJohn 10:39: "Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,"
Sought again to take him - They evidently understood him as still claiming equality with God, and under this impression Jesus left them. Nor can it be doubted that he intended to leave them with this impression; and if so, then he is divine. He escaped - See John 8:59.
calvinJohn 10:37-42: "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."
- If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38. But if I do, [301] though you believe not me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39. Therefore they sought again to seize him, but he escaped [302] out of their hands. 40. And again he went away beyond Jordan, to the place where John first baptized, and abode there. 41. And many came to him, and said, John indeed d…
While it seems like a simple escape, the Greek word used here, "went forth," implies Jesus deliberately walked out, not that he was physically snatched away. This highlights that his departure wasn't just evasion, but a controlled action demonstrating his divine authority, even as their rage boiled over.
Jesus had just declared His unity with the Father, a statement the Jewish leaders understood as blasphemy, prompting them to pick up stones to kill Him. After He slipped away from their attempt in John 8, they are now reacting with renewed anger to His claims of divine authority. Though they again try to seize Him, Jesus miraculously slips away, and He then retreats to the region across the Jordan River.
Jesus had just declared His unity with the Father, a statement the Jewish leaders understood as blasphemy, prompting them to pick up stones to kill Him. After He slipped away from their attempt in John 8, they are now reacting with renewed anger to His claims of divine authority. Though they again try to seize Him, Jesus miraculously slips away, and He then retreats to the region across the Jordan River.
"Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained." — While it seems like a simple escape, the Greek word used here, "went forth," implies Jesus deliberately walked out, not that he was physically snatched away. This highlights that his departure wasn…
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Last reviewed October 2026