John 10:31
What does John 10:31 mean?
A plain-English look at John 10:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 10:31 means
The response to Jesus’ claim is swift and violent: they pick up stones to stone Him. Under the Law, blasphemy warranted stoning. Their action shows they grasp the gravity of His words in verse 30 and judge them intolerable. Ironically, in trying to defend God’s honor, they reject God’s Son. Zeal without knowledge becomes persecution. This moment exposes the cost of revelation: truth that discloses divine glory also provokes hardened opposition. The Shepherd who promises to protect His sheep now faces death threats for declaring the unity by which He protects them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Jews took up stones again to stone him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Jews took up stones again to stone him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the Jews took up stones again to send at him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore, again, did the Jews take up stones that they may stone him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Jews then took up stones to stone him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Jews therefore again took stones that they might stone him.
Context
Verse 31 records the immediate attempt to stone Jesus after His assertion of unity with the Father (verse 30). In verse 32, Jesus will challenge their grounds for stoning by pointing to His many good works. Verse 33 will clarify their charge: not for good works but for blasphemy, since, in their view, a man is making Himself God. This sets the stage for Jesus’ scriptural defense in verses 34–36.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 5:18
For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
- Acts 7:58
and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
- John 11:8
The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
- Exodus 17:4
And Moses cried unto Jehovah, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they are almost ready to stone me.
- Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;
- Matthew 23:35
that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar.
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