Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 8:59

"They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple." — John 8:59 (ASV)

Then took they up stones to cast at him:

They counted him a blasphemer, and so he was if he was not all he claimed to be. I have heard of some who reverence Christ, but do not believe him to be God; but how can that be?

He evidently made himself out to be God, and this was the great charge the Jews brought against him. For this, indeed, they put him to death, because he made himself equal with God.

If he was not equal with God,– if he was not really God,– he led men to think that he was; and if this was false, it was a great sin not consistent with the holy character of Christ. If he was not God, he was the grossest impostor who ever visited this world.

But he was God, and nothing less; yet because he claimed this, the Jews took 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.

Glory be to his holy name for ever and ever!

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.

This is always the sinner's argument against the right: first, hard words, and then stones.

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.

They believed that he claimed to be God, as he certainly did, and therefore they tried to stone him; and there is no foothold for those who say that Christ was a very good man, but only a man. If he was not the Son of God, he was not a good man, for no good man would have left upon his followers, and upon his foes, too, the impression that he claimed to be God, if he was not; and no good man could have claimed to be God if he was not really so. Rank him either among the grossest of impostors, or else as the Son of God—one or the other. There is no middle ground between the two. Blessed be your name, O Son of Mary, you are also the Son of the Highest, and as such we worship and adore you!