John 8:59
New International Version
At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

New Living Translation
At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

English Standard Version
So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Berean Standard Bible
At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore they took up stones, that they might cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went forth out of the temple.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and left the temple grounds.

NASB 1995
Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.

NASB 1977
Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.

Amplified Bible
So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus concealed Himself and left the temple.

Christian Standard Bible
So they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At that, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple complex.

American Standard Version
They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

Contemporary English Version
The people picked up stones to kill Jesus, but he hid and left the temple.

English Revised Version
They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then some of the Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus. However, Jesus was concealed, and he left the temple courtyard.

Good News Translation
Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

International Standard Version
At this, they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the Temple.

Majority Standard Bible
At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area, going through the midst of them. And so he passed by.

NET Bible
Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was concealed, and went out of the temple.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then they took 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.

Weymouth New Testament
Thereupon they took up stones with which to stone Him, but He hid Himself and went away out of the Temple.

World English Bible
Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
they took up, therefore, stones that they may cast at Him, but Jesus hid Himself, and went forth out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore they took up stones, that they might cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went forth out of the temple.

Young's Literal Translation
they took up, therefore, stones that they may cast at him, but Jesus hid himself, and went forth out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Smith's Literal Translation
Then lifted up they stones that they might cast upon him: and Jesus was hid, and he went forth out of the temple, having passed through the midst of them, and so he passed by.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, they took up stones to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself, and he departed from the temple.

New American Bible
So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

New Revised Standard Version
So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So they took up stones, to stone him; and Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, and he passed through the midst of them, and went away.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they picked up stones to stone him, and Yeshua hid himself and went out from The Temple and passed through their midst and moved on.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then they took up stones to throw at him. But Jesus concealed himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them; and so passed by.

Godbey New Testament
Then they took up stones that they might cast at Him: and Jesus was hidden, and departed out from the temple.

Haweis New Testament
Then took they up stones to hurl at him: but Jesus was hid, and went out of the temple, passing through the midst of them, and so went away.

Mace New Testament
then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus was conceal'd by the crowd which he pass'd thro', and so got out of the temple.

Weymouth New Testament
Thereupon they took up stones with which to stone Him, but He hid Himself and went away out of the Temple.

Worrell New Testament
They took up stones, therefore, to cast at Him; but Jesus was concealed, and went out of the temple.

Worsley New Testament
Therefore they took up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus concealed Himself, and went out of the temple, through the midst of them, and so passed on.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Before Abraham was Born, I Am
58“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.

Cross References
John 10:31-33
At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him. / But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” / “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

John 5:18
Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 7:1
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.

John 11:8
“Rabbi,” they replied, “the Jews just tried to stone You, and You are going back there?”

Luke 4:28-30
On hearing this, all the people in the synagogue were enraged. / They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff. / But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way.

Matthew 21:45-46
When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that Jesus was speaking about them. / Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.

Acts 7:57-58
At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. / They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Mark 12:12
At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.

Matthew 12:14
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

John 1:10-11
He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. / He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

John 15:18-25
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ...

John 19:6-7
As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.” / “We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”

Acts 14:5-6
But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, / they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

1 Samuel 19:10
Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

1 Kings 19:1-3
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!” / And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,


Treasury of Scripture

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the middle of them, and so passed by.

took.

John 8:5,6
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? …

John 10:30-33
I and my Father are one…

John 11:8
His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

but.

John 5:13
And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

John 10:39,40
Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, …

John 11:54
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

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John 8
1. Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.
12. He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;
31. promises freedom to those who believe;
33. answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;
48. answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;
59. and slips away from those who would stone him.














At this
This phrase refers to the preceding discourse where Jesus declares, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58). This statement is a profound declaration of His divinity, echoing God's self-identification in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM." The reaction of the Jewish leaders is immediate and hostile, as they perceive this as blasphemy, a claim to be God Himself.

they picked up stones
The act of picking up stones is significant in the Jewish context. According to Levitical law, blasphemy was punishable by stoning (Leviticus 24:16). The Jewish leaders' response indicates their understanding of Jesus' claim to divinity and their belief that He was committing blasphemy. This action reflects the seriousness with which they took the law and their zealousness to uphold it, albeit without recognizing the truth of Jesus' identity.

to throw at Him
The intention to throw stones at Jesus underscores the violent rejection of His message and person. It highlights the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart of those who opposed Him. This act of aggression is not just a physical threat but a symbolic rejection of the light and truth that Jesus embodies. It serves as a stark contrast to the love and grace that Jesus offers.

But Jesus hid Himself
The phrase "hid Himself" suggests a supernatural element to Jesus' departure. It is not merely a physical hiding but an indication of His divine authority and control over the situation. Despite the hostility, Jesus' mission was not yet complete, and His time had not yet come. This act demonstrates His sovereignty and the divine protection over His life until the appointed time of His crucifixion.

and slipped away
The Greek word used here can imply a stealthy or unnoticed departure. Jesus' ability to slip away from a hostile crowd reflects His mastery over the circumstances. It also symbolizes the elusiveness of truth to those who are unwilling to see it. Jesus' mission was to reveal the Father and offer salvation, and no human action could thwart God's redemptive plan.

from the temple grounds
The temple was the center of Jewish religious life, and Jesus' presence there was significant. His teachings and actions in the temple often challenged the religious authorities and exposed their hypocrisy. The temple, meant to be a place of worship and encounter with God, becomes a place of conflict and rejection of the very One it was intended to honor. Jesus' departure from the temple foreshadows the new covenant, where worship would no longer be confined to a physical location but would be in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

(59) Then took they up stones to cast at him.--At last the meaning of His words flashes upon them. They had heard this I AM before (John 8:24) without perceiving that in it He applied to Himself the name Jehovah. Now there is no room for doubt. His own Divinity is the only explanation of what He has said; and it is in these words so plainly asserted, that those who had constantly misunderstood can misunderstand no more. The subtleties of later days, by which men have tried to show that there is no claim to Divinity here, was not suggested to their minds. They will not acknowledge the claim, but they feel that He has made it. They have heard the fearful words which seemed to them as blasphemy, and they take up the stones which are at hand for the rebuilding of the Temple, in which they are, to cast at the Lord of the Temple. (Comp. John 10:33.)

Going through the midst of them, and so passed by.--These words are omitted in a majority of the better MSS. They were probably inserted in others to explain what was taken to be the miraculous disappearance. (Comp. Luke 4:30.) Here we are simply told that He "hid Himself and went out of the Temple, and this does not imply more than that He passed among the crowd which was around Him, out of the Temple, and thus avoided the stones which they had taken up to cast at Him.

Verse 59. -

(7) The conflict and the victory. Therefore - because he said this, which if it had no basis in [act was rank blasphemy - they took up stones of the temple court to cast at (upon) him. "They rushed from the porch into the court of the Gentiles, to pick up stones to cast them at him; but once more 'his hour had not yet come,' and their fury proved impotent. Hiding himself in one of the many passages or gateways of the temple, he presently passed out" (Edersheim). But Jesus hid himself, and went forth from the temple [ going through the midst of them, and so passed by]. There is no need to imagine more than the exercise of his majestic energy before which daemoniacs quailed, and Pilate trembled, and the guards of the temple fell abashed. The crisis of his ministry in Jerusalem is approaching. How often would he have gathered them, and given to them eternal life, but they would not!



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
At this,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

they picked up
Ἦραν (Ēran)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove.

stones
λίθους (lithous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3037: A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

throw
βάλωσιν (balōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

at
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

Him.
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

was hidden
ἐκρύβη (ekrybē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2928: To hide, conceal, lay up. A primary verb; to conceal.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

went
ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

out of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple area.
ἱεροῦ (hierou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.


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