Devine Scripture

John 8:59

What does John 8:59 mean?

A plain-English look at John 8:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 8:59 means

They pick up stones to throw at Him, judging His claim blasphemous. Yet Jesus hides Himself and goes out of the temple. Their violent response shows they understood His “I am” as divine self-claim and rejected it. The Light has shone; darkness resists. Still, He is not seized—His time is in the Father’s hands. He withdraws, not from fear, but in sovereign restraint, preserving the appointed path to the cross. The temple that should have welcomed Him becomes the stage of attempted murder. Revelation has divided: some believed; others lifted stones.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So they took up stones to send at him: but Jesus got secretly out of their way and went out of the Temple.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

They took up therefore stones that they might cast [them] at him; but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, [going through the midst of them, and thus passed on.]

Context

This verse concludes the chapter with a failed attempt on Jesus’ life. It follows His definitive declaration of pre-existence and deity. The escape underscores divine timing—no arrest before the hour. It closes a movement that began with mercy to a sinner and progressed through claims of light, freedom, and sonship, ending with unveiled deity and open hostility. The scene prepares readers for the continuing conflict and for the moment when He will, in God’s time, be lifted up as He foretold—there revealing the fullness of the Father’s plan and the Son’s glory.

v.58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am.

v.59This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:13

    But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place.

  • John 11:8

    The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

  • John 12:36

    While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them.

  • John 10:39

    They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.

  • John 10:30

    I and the Father are one.

  • John 18:31

    Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 8

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 8.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 8:59.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary