John 11:8

KJV

[His] disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

KJV (with Strong's)

His disciples {G3101} say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Master {G4461}, the Jews {G2453} of late {G3568} sought {G2212} to stone {G3034} thee {G4571}; and {G2532} goest thou {G5217} thither {G1563} again {G3825}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The talmidim replied, “Rabbi! Just a short while ago the Judeans were out to stone you — and you want to go back there?”

Berean Standard Bible

“Rabbi,” they replied, “the Jews just tried to stone You, and You are going back there?”

American Standard Version

The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:8 captures a moment of profound human apprehension and concern from Jesus' disciples, who, upon hearing His intention to return to Judea, recall the recent, violent attempts on His life by the Jewish authorities in that region. Their question, "Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?" reveals their fear for His safety and their limited understanding of His divine purpose and unyielding resolve to fulfill His Father's will, even unto death, for the glory of God and the revelation of His own identity as the Resurrection and the Life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in John's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' declaration that He intends to return to Judea, specifically to Bethany, because Lazarus, His dear friend, is ill. The disciples' reaction in [John 11:8](/john/11-8 "John 11:8 - Disciples' Fear") directly follows Jesus' statement in [John 11:7](/john/11-7 "John 11:7 - Jesus Decides to Return to Judea"), where He tells them, "Let us go into Judaea again." This decision is met with immediate resistance, as the disciples vividly remember the recent attempts to stone Jesus in Jerusalem, as recounted in [John 8:59](/john/8-59 "John 8:59 - Attempted Stoning in the Temple") and [John 10:31](/john/10-31 "John 10:31 - Attempted Stoning After Claiming Oneness with God"). The narrative then proceeds to Jesus' arrival in Bethany, the profound conversation with Martha and Mary, and culminates in the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus in [John 11:38-44](/john/11-38-44 "John 11:38-44 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"), an event that dramatically escalates the conflict with the religious authorities and ultimately precipitates Jesus' crucifixion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop to this verse is the escalating tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment in Jerusalem, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees. Stoning was a prescribed form of capital punishment under Jewish law, reserved for severe offenses such as blasphemy ([Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - Penalty for Blasphemy")) or idolatry. The Jewish leaders considered Jesus' claims of divinity and His actions, such as healing on the Sabbath or forgiving sins, to be blasphemous, hence their repeated attempts to stone Him. The phrase "the Jews" (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, _hoi Ioudaioi_) in John's Gospel often refers not to the entire Jewish populace but specifically to the hostile religious authorities in Jerusalem who opposed Jesus. Geographically, Judea, and particularly Jerusalem, was the epicenter of this opposition, making Jesus' decision to return there a direct confrontation with the very powers that sought His life.
* **Key Themes:** John 11:8 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout John's Gospel. It highlights the **disciples' persistent struggle with faith and understanding** of Jesus' divine nature and mission, contrasting their human fear with His divine courage and purpose, a theme evident in moments like their fear during the storm on the sea in [Mark 4:40](/mark/4-40 "Mark 4:40 - Jesus Calms the Storm"). The verse also underscores Jesus' **sovereignty over His own life and death**, demonstrating His commitment to fulfilling God's perfect timing and plan, even when it leads to danger, reflecting His repeated statements about His "hour" not yet having come or now arriving ([John 7:6](/john/7-6 "John 7:6 - Jesus' Time Has Not Yet Come"), [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come")). Furthermore, this immediate context of returning to Judea to raise Lazarus foreshadows Jesus' own journey to Jerusalem for His crucifixion and resurrection, emphasizing the theme of **life conquering death** and the **glory of God revealed through suffering**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** From the verb _manthanō_ (to learn), meaning "a learner" or "pupil." In this context, it refers to Jesus' closest followers, highlighting their role as those who are still in the process of learning and understanding His ways, especially in contrast to Jesus' divine knowledge and purpose. Their question here demonstrates their human limitations and ongoing need for spiritual instruction.
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This verb means "to seek," "to inquire," or "to plot." Here, it carries the negative connotation of actively plotting or attempting to harm. The disciples' use of this word emphasizes the recent and serious nature of the threat against Jesus, indicating that the Jewish authorities were not merely considering but actively pursuing His death by stoning.
* **to stone (Greek, _litházō'_):** Derived from _lithos_ (stone), this verb specifically means "to lapidate" or "to stone." It refers to the act of executing someone by throwing stones at them, a method of capital punishment under Jewish law. Its inclusion underscores the extreme danger Jesus faced and the severity of the charges leveled against Him by the religious leaders.
* **again (Greek, _pálin'_):** This adverb means "anew," "back," or "once more." Its use here by the disciples conveys their incredulity and alarm. They are asking, "Are you going back *again* to a place where your life was so recently and severely threatened?" It highlights the perceived recklessness of Jesus' decision from their human perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His disciples say unto him,"**: This opening phrase establishes the speakers and their relationship to Jesus. As "disciples," they are His learners and followers, but their immediate reaction reveals their human fear and limited understanding of the divine plan unfolding. Their address to Him, though, is direct and filled with concern.
* **"Master,"**: The term "Master" (ῥαββί, _rhabbí_) is a title of respect and honor, acknowledging Jesus' authority as a teacher. While it conveys reverence, it also underscores the disciples' perspective of Him primarily as a human teacher, rather than fully grasping His divine nature and mission, which would transcend their earthly fears.
* **"the Jews of late sought to stone thee;"**: This is the core of the disciples' apprehension. "The Jews" in John's Gospel often refers to the hostile religious authorities in Jerusalem. "Of late" (νῦν, _nŷn_) emphasizes the recency and vividness of the memory of these violent attempts on Jesus' life, specifically the attempts to stone Him for alleged blasphemy as described in [John 8:59](/john/8-59 "John 8:59 - Attempted Stoning in the Temple") and [John 10:31](/john/10-31 "John 10:31 - Attempted Stoning After Claiming Oneness with God"). This statement highlights the very real and present danger.
* **"and goest thou thither again?"**: This is a rhetorical question, expressing profound disbelief and a plea for Jesus to reconsider. The verb "goest thou" (ὑπάγω, _hypágō_) implies moving away or departing, but here it's used in the context of returning to a dangerous place. "Thither again" (ἐκεῖ πάλιν, _ekeî pálin_) reinforces their astonishment at His willingness to revisit a place where His life was recently threatened, underscoring the contrast between their human logic and Jesus' divine resolve.

#### Literary Devices
John 11:8 effectively employs **Rhetorical Question** to convey the disciples' alarm and incredulity. Their question, "and goest thou thither again?", is not posed to elicit information but to express their strong disapproval and fear, highlighting the perceived irrationality of Jesus' decision from their human perspective. The verse also showcases **Juxtaposition** by contrasting the disciples' very human and understandable fear for Jesus' physical safety with Jesus' unwavering divine purpose, which transcends such earthly concerns. This sets the stage for the revelation of Jesus' power over death. Furthermore, the disciples' memory of the "Jews" seeking "to stone thee" serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, subtly reminding the reader of the escalating hostility that will ultimately lead to Jesus' crucifixion, a more profound act of violence than stoning, but one that Jesus willingly embraces for God's glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The disciples' fearful question in John 11:8 underscores a recurring theological theme in the Gospels: the tension between human understanding and divine purpose. While the disciples were rightly concerned for Jesus' physical safety, their perspective was limited by earthly logic and a lack of full comprehension regarding Jesus' Messianic mission and His sovereign control over His own "hour." Jesus' decision to return to Judea, despite the clear danger, was not reckless but a deliberate act of obedience to the Father's will, designed to bring glory to God through the profound miracle of Lazarus's resurrection, which in turn would serve as a powerful sign pointing to Jesus' own impending death and resurrection. This moment highlights that God's ways are often higher and more mysterious than human reasoning can grasp, requiring faith and trust even when the path seems perilous.

* [John 7:30](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - Jesus' Hour Not Yet Come")
* [Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")
* [Matthew 16:21-23](/matthew/16-21-23 "Matthew 16:21-23 - Peter Rebukes Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:8 serves as a poignant reminder that following Christ often involves stepping into uncomfortable or even dangerous situations, where human logic clashes with divine calling. Like the disciples, we are prone to fear and to prioritize our safety or comfort over God's greater purposes. This verse challenges us to consider whether our concerns are rooted in human wisdom or divine faith. True discipleship calls us to trust God's sovereignty and timing, even when His path seems counter-intuitive or fraught with peril. It encourages us to cultivate a courage that stems not from recklessness, but from an unwavering confidence in God's perfect plan and His ability to work all things for His glory. When faced with choices that involve risk for the sake of obedience, we are invited to emulate Jesus' resolve, knowing that His mission was accomplished not by avoiding danger, but by embracing it for the ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What situations in my life cause me to question God's leading due to fear or perceived danger, much like the disciples questioned Jesus?**
* **How might my understanding of God's sovereignty deepen my trust in His plan, even when it seems illogical or risky from a human perspective?**
* **In what ways am I called to exercise courage and obedience in the face of opposition or discomfort, following Jesus' example?**

### FAQ
**Why were the disciples so afraid for Jesus to return to Judea?**

Answer: The disciples' fear was entirely rational and based on recent, traumatic events. Just prior to this, Jesus had been in Jerusalem and Judea, where the Jewish religious authorities had repeatedly attempted to stone Him for what they considered blasphemy—specifically, for claiming to be one with the Father or for asserting divine prerogatives ([John 8:59](/john/8-59 "John 8:59 - Attempted Stoning in the Temple"); [John 10:31-33](/john/10-31-33 "John 10:31-33 - Jews Seek to Stone Jesus for Blasphemy")). These were not idle threats; stoning was a legitimate form of capital punishment under Jewish law. Jesus had even withdrawn from Judea to Perea precisely because of this intense hostility ([John 10:39-40](/john/10-39-40 "John 10:39-40 - Jesus Withdraws Beyond Jordan")). Therefore, the disciples' question, "and goest thou thither again?", reflects their genuine concern for His life, given the very real and recent danger He had faced.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:8, though a moment of human fear and limited understanding, powerfully foreshadows the very heart of Christ's mission and His ultimate triumph over death. The disciples' plea for Jesus to avoid the danger of Judea highlights their desire to preserve His earthly life, yet Jesus' unwavering resolve to return reveals His divine commitment to a far greater purpose. He knew that His "hour" was approaching, not to be avoided, but to be embraced as the means by which God's glory would be fully revealed ([John 12:27-28](/john/12-27-28 "John 12:27-28 - Jesus Prays and the Father Speaks")). His journey back to Judea, despite the threat of stoning, directly leads to the raising of Lazarus, a miracle that serves as a profound sign of Jesus' identity as "the resurrection, and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). This act, while bringing glory to God, also intensified the plot against Him ([John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Sanhedrin Plots Against Jesus")), ultimately leading Him to Jerusalem where He would willingly lay down His life on the cross, not by stoning, but by crucifixion, for the sins of the world ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Thus, the disciples' fearful question inadvertently points to the very path of suffering and self-sacrifice that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was destined to walk to secure eternal life for all who believe ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 10:31

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

John 8:59

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.

John 10:39

¶ Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

Acts 21:12

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Matthew 16:21

¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 16:23

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.