John 10:31 Meaning and Explanation

"Again" recalls John 8:59, when "Before Abraham was, I am" drew the same response. Stoning was the penalty the law named for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), and in temple courts still under construction, stones lay ready to hand. They understood him to be claiming what no mere man may claim.

The reaction proves the hearing: nobody stones a teacher for urging kindness. Jesus' words force the question that runs through all the Gospels — either such a claim is blasphemy, or it is true and he is to be worshiped. The crowd chose stones. Every reader since stands in that colonnade with something in hand: a stone, or a confession.