King James Version

What Does John 8:59 Mean?

John 8:59 in the King James Version says “Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of t...” — study this verse from John chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

John 8:59 · KJV

Context

57

Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58

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

59

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.

Read John 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then took they up stones to cast at him (ἦραν οὖν λίθους ἵνα βάλωσιν ἐπ' αὐτόν, eran oun lithous hina balosin ep' auton)—The crowd's violent response to Jesus's claim 'Before Abraham was, I am' (8:58) proves they understood His deity claim. Stoning was prescribed for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), and they recognized Jesus's ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi, 'I AM') as invoking God's covenant name from Exodus 3:14. But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by (Ἰησοῦς δὲ ἐκρύβη καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ, Iesous de ekrybe kai exelthen ek tou hierou)—His escape demonstrates supernatural power; no mob can kill God's Son before His appointed hour (John 7:30; 8:20).

This verse reveals the fundamental division: some recognize Jesus as Yahweh incarnate and worship; others recognize the claim and seek to kill Him for 'blasphemy.' There is no middle ground when confronting Christ's deity. His ability to pass through the hostile crowd prefigures His resurrection power—death cannot hold Him when He chooses otherwise.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This incident occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2), when Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims. Temple precincts had stones readily available for construction or repair. The attempt to stone Jesus in the temple itself shows how His claims provoked religious authorities beyond mere theological disagreement into murderous rage.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's claim 'Before Abraham was, I AM' force a decision—either worship Him as God or reject Him as blasphemer?
  2. What does Jesus's supernatural escape teach about God's sovereignty over the timing of His own sacrifice?
  3. How should Christians respond when confessing Christ's deity provokes hostile reactions—with fear or confidence in His protecting power?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ἦραν1 of 22

“took they up”

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

οὖν2 of 22

“Then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

λίθους3 of 22

“stones”

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ἵνα4 of 22

“to”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

βάλωσιν5 of 22

“cast”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

ἐπ'6 of 22

“at”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῶν·7 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἰησοῦς8 of 22

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

δὲ9 of 22

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐκρύβη10 of 22

“hid himself”

G2928

to conceal (properly, by covering)

καὶ11 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξῆλθεν12 of 22

“went”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ13 of 22

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ14 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱεροῦ15 of 22

“the temple”

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

διελθὼν16 of 22

“going”

G1330

to traverse (literally)

διὰ17 of 22

“through”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

μέσου18 of 22

“the midst”

G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

αὐτῶν·19 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ20 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παρῆγεν21 of 22

“passed by”

G3855

to lead near, i.e., (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away

οὕτως22 of 22

“so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 8:59 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 8:59 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 11:8John 10:30-33John 10:39-40Leviticus 24:16Luke 4:29-302 Kings 6:18-20

Test Your Knowledge

John 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJohn Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read John 8 with CommentaryAll John ChaptersComplete John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes