They
sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.
John 10:39
John 10 [34.] Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’[f] If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken), do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me. But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 10 [39.] They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand. He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed. Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.” Many believed in him there.
John 11 [1.] Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick. The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let’s go into Judea again.”
Footnotes:
a. John 10:34 Psalm 82:6.
Meaning:
This verse takes place during another intense confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, who are increasingly hostile to His claims and teachings. It captures a moment of divine protection, where Jesus escapes an attempt to arrest Him. The verse is part of a broader narrative that emphasizes the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities, the growing opposition to His ministry, and the divine control over the timing and outcome of His mission.
- Confrontation in the Temple
The context of John 10:39 is crucial for understanding its significance. This verse is part of a larger conversation in which Jesus is in the temple during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), speaking to the Jewish leaders about His identity and mission. In John 10:30, Jesus makes a bold and provocative statement: "I and the Father are one." This declaration of unity with God enrages the Jewish leaders, who perceive it as blasphemy, a claim to equality with God, which was punishable by death under Jewish law.
The Reaction of the Leaders: The response to Jesus' statement is immediate and hostile. In John 10:31, we read, "Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him." The Jewish leaders believe that Jesus has committed blasphemy by claiming to be one with the Father. Their reaction is a mixture of fear, anger, and disbelief, rooted in their inability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and their resistance to His challenging of their authority and understanding of God.
- The Attempt to Seize Jesus
“They sought again to seize him”: This phrase indicates that the religious leaders are not only ready to stone Jesus but are also attempting to physically apprehend Him. This is not the first time they have tried to arrest Him; there have been previous attempts where their plans were thwarted (John 7:30, 7:44). The use of the word "again" suggests that their opposition to Jesus is persistent and escalating.
Hostility Toward Jesus: The Jewish leaders' desire to seize Jesus reflects their growing frustration and determination to silence Him. They are increasingly threatened by His teachings, His popularity among the people, and His claims of divine authority. This hostility is not just a reaction to a single statement but a culmination of the tension that has been building throughout Jesus' ministry as He challenges the religious status quo.
Rejection of the Messiah: The attempt to seize Jesus highlights the tragic irony of the religious leaders' rejection of the very Messiah they have been waiting for. Their inability to see Jesus for who He truly is—God’s Son and the fulfillment of the Scriptures—leads them to oppose Him violently. This reflects the broader theme in the Gospels of Jesus being rejected by those He came to save, as stated in John 1:11, "He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him."
- Jesus’ Miraculous Escape
“And he went out of their hand”: Despite their efforts to seize Him, Jesus once again escapes unharmed. The verse doesn’t explain how He evades capture, leaving the exact nature of His escape somewhat mysterious. However, the implication is clear: Jesus’ life and mission are under divine protection, and no human force can thwart God’s plan.
Divine Protection and Timing: Jesus’ escape from those who sought to arrest Him is a demonstration of divine protection. Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus’ life is not in the hands of men, but in the hands of His Father. The timing of His arrest, trial, and crucifixion is according to God’s plan, not human schemes. John 7:30 reinforces this idea: "They sought to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come." Jesus was fully aware of the divine timeline and knew that His mission would be completed in God’s perfect timing.
Jesus’ Authority Over His Life: This moment also points to Jesus' authority over His own life and mission. He declares in John 10:18, "No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." Jesus’ escape from the hands of His enemies is not just a matter of avoiding danger; it’s a deliberate act that aligns with His divine mission. He remains in control, ensuring that nothing happens outside of God’s will.
Theological Implications and Application
John 10:39, while brief, carries significant theological implications and offers practical lessons for our faith:
Trust in God’s Sovereignty: This verse reminds us of God’s absolute sovereignty over all events, including the timing and outcome of Jesus’ mission. In moments of personal crisis or opposition, we can find comfort in knowing that God is in control. His plans will not be thwarted by human actions, and His timing is always perfect. This trust in God’s sovereignty should give us peace and confidence, even when we face difficulties or opposition.
Jesus’ Divine Mission: The repeated attempts to seize Jesus and His consistent escapes highlight the divine nature of His mission. Jesus was not merely a man avoiding capture; He was the Son of God, fulfilling a specific purpose that would ultimately lead to the cross. This should deepen our understanding of the deliberate, purposeful nature of Jesus' life and death, as well as the lengths to which God goes to accomplish His redemptive plan.
The Cost of Following Christ: The hostility Jesus faced is a reminder that following Him can lead to opposition and persecution. Jesus Himself warned His disciples of this reality in John 15:20: "Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." As followers of Christ, we should be prepared to face resistance, but we can also be assured that God is with us, protecting and guiding us according to His will.
Conclusion: John 10:39 encapsulates a moment of intense conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, illustrating their growing hostility and Jesus’ divine protection. The verse highlights the tension between human opposition and divine sovereignty, reminding us that Jesus’ mission was under the control of God’s timing and purpose. For us, this verse offers assurance that God is in control of our lives, even in the face of opposition, and encourages us to trust in His plan and timing. As we follow Christ, we can be confident that nothing can separate us from His love or derail His purposes for our lives.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible