John 8:59 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1) "Then took they up stones to cast at him:” (heran oun lithous hina balosin ep' auton) "Then they took up stones in order that they might pelt him," because of what they considered to be blasphemy, stone Him to the ground, as they plotted to do on numerous occasions, with murder in their hearts, as snake-hearted hypocritical Pharisees, Mat 23:27; Mat 23:33. They would be accusers, judge and jury, and executioners, all, an actual lynch-mob of liars, Joh 8:55; Joh 10:31; Joh 10:39; Joh 11:8.

2) "But Jesus hid himself," (lesous de ekrube) "Then Jesus was hidden," from their view, by His own will and choice, for though near, His "hour was not yet," Isa 30:18; Joh 2:4; Joh 7:30; Joh 8:20.

3) "And Jesus went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."(kai ekselthen ek tou hierou) "And he went forth out of and away from the temple," as recounted on another occasion, Luk 4:30; Joh 10:39. The crisis of His ministry was fast approaching. How often He would have gathered them about Him, and given them eternal life, but they would not! Mat 23:37; Mat 11:28-30