Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 10:39

"They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand." — John 10:39 (ASV)

Jesus’ appeal to his opponents summed up the attitude and method of his argument. He took his position, not on the basis of his personal authority, but on the attestation of his “miracles.” If they showed that he was demonstrating divine compassion and exercising divine authority over people and matter, he was divinely accredited. Those miracles were peculiarly expressive of his nature and revealed his personality and mission. For those predisposed not to believe in him, he offered pragmatic proof of his special relationship with God: “The Father is in me, and I in the Father.” The appeal failed; and once again “they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.”