Of late - About four months before, John 10:31.

The Jews of late sought to stone thee - It was but a few weeks before that they were going to stone him in the temple, on the day of the feast of the dedication, John 10:31.

His disciples said unto him, master,.... Addressing him very reverently, and with great concern for his safety, as well as their own:

the Jews of late, or but now,

sought to stone thee; as they had attempted to do twice in a very little time; see John 8:59;

and goest thou thither again? where there are so many enemies; and so much danger, and but little hope of doing much good; whereas here he was among his friends, and in safety, and very useful.

Of late sought (νῦν ἐζήτουν)

Rev., much better, giving the true force of νῦν, now, and of the imperfect: were but now seeking.

Goest (ὑπάγεις)

Dost thou withdraw from this safe retreat? See on John 6:21; see on John 8:21.

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

(3) This alone is the sure and right way to life, to follow God boldly without fear, who calls us and shines before us in the darkness of this world.

8. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought, &c.-literally, "were (just) now seeking" "to stone thee" (Joh 10:31).

goest thou thither again?-to certain death, as Joh 11:16 shows they thought.

11:7-10 Christ never brings his people into any danger but he goes with them in it. We are apt to think ourselves zealous for the Lord, when really we are only zealous for our wealth, credit, ease, and safety; we have therefore need to try our principles. But our day shall be lengthened out, till our work is done, and our testimony finished. A man has comfort and satisfaction while in the way of his duty, as set forth by the word of God, and determined by the providence of God. Christ, wherever he went, walked in the day; and so shall we, if we follow his steps. If a man walks in the way of his heart, and according to the course of this world, if he consults his own carnal reasonings more than the will and glory of God, he falls into temptations and snares. He stumbles, because there is no light in him; for light in us is to our moral actions, that which light about us to our natural actions.