Joh 10:31-33 | RWP | e4.org | Took up stones again ( εβαστασαν παλιν λιθους ). First aorist active indicative of βασταζω , old verb to pick up, to carry ( ), to bear ( ). The παλιν refers to where ηραν was used. They wanted to kill him also when he made himself equal to God in . Perhaps here εβαστασαν means "they fetched stones from a distance." To stone him ( ινα λιθασωσιν αυτον ). Final clause with ινα and the first aorist active subjunctive of λιθαζω , late verb (Aristotle, Polybius) from λιθος (stone, small, , or large, ), in ; ; ; ; ; , but not in the Synoptics. It means to pelt with stones, to overwhelm with stones.

‏ John 10:31-33

Took up stones again ( εβαστασαν παλιν λιθους ). First aorist active indicative of βασταζω, old verb to pick up, to carry (Joh 12:6), to bear (Ga 6:5). The παλιν refers to Joh 8:59 where ηραν was used. They wanted to kill him also when he made himself equal to God in 5:18. Perhaps here εβαστασαν means "they fetched stones from a distance."

To stone him ( ινα λιθασωσιν αυτον ). Final clause with ινα and the first aorist active subjunctive of λιθαζω, late verb (Aristotle, Polybius) from λιθος (stone, small, Mt 4:6, or large, Mt 28:2), in Joh 10:31-33; 11:8; Ac 5:26; 14:19; 2Co 11:25; Heb 11:37, but not in the Synoptics. It means to pelt with stones, to overwhelm with stones.

From the Father ( εκ του πατρος ). Proceeding out of the Father as in 6:65; 16:28 (cf. 7:17; 8:42, 47) rather than παρα as in 1:14; 6:46; 7:29; 17:7.

For which of those works ( δια ποιον αυτων εργον ). Literally, "For what kind of work of them" (referring to the "many good works" πολλα εργα καλα ). Noble and beautiful deeds Jesus had done in Jerusalem like healing the impotent man (chapter 5) and the blind man (chapter 9). Ποιον is a qualitative interrogative pronoun pointing to καλα (good).

Do ye stone me ( λιθαζετε ). Conative present active indicative, "are ye trying to stone me." They had the stones in their hands stretched back to fling at him, a threatening attitude.

For a good work we stone thee not ( περ καλου εργου ου λιθαζομεν ). "Concerning a good deed we are not stoning thee." Flat denial that the healing of the blind man on the Sabbath had led them to this attempt (8:59) in spite of the facts.

But for blasphemy ( αλλα περ βλασφημιας ). See Ac 26:7 where περ with the genitive is also used with εγκαλουμα for the charge against Paul. This is the only example in John of the word βλασφημια (cf. Mt 12:31).

And because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God ( κα οτ συ ανθρωπος ων ποιεις σεαυτον θεον ). In 5:18 they stated the charge more accurately: "He called God his own Father, making himself equal with God." That is, he made himself the Son of God. This he did beyond a doubt. But was it blasphemy? Only if he was not the Son of God. The penalty for blasphemy was death by stoning (Le 24:16; 1Ki 21:10, 13).