That the Jews supposed him to speak of an essential unity is obvious from what follows. The Jews (then £) took up—should rather be carried or bore in their hands—stones again, huge pieces of marble lying around in the public works then proceeding.
There is an increase of malice over and above what was involved in simply lifting stones from the pavement (cf. John 8:59), and the alteration of the word is another hint of the eye-witness. The word "again" reminds the reader that this was a second and more desperate attack upon the life of Jesus.