Syntax error: Illegal return statement in JavaScript

I am getting a really weird JavaScript error when I run this code:

<script type = 'text/javascript'>
var ask = confirm('".$message."');
if (ask == false)
{
    return false;     
}

else
{
    return true;
}
</script>

In the JavaScript console it says:

Syntax Error: Illegal return statement

It occurs at return true; and return false;

(I am echoing this javascript from a php function; the $message variable is one of the php parameters)

What is wrong with my code?

return only makes sense inside a function. There is no function in your code.

Also, your code is worthy if the Department of Redundancy Department. Assuming you move it to a proper function, this would be better:

return confirm(".json_encode($message).");

EDIT much much later: Changed code to use json_encode to ensure the message contents don't break just because of an apostrophe in the message.

If you want to return some value then wrap your statement in function

function my_function(){ 

 return my_thing; 
}

Problem is with the statement on the 1st line if you are trying to use PHP

var ask = confirm ('".$message."'); 

IF you are trying to use PHP you should use

 var ask = confirm (<?php echo "'".$message."'" ?>); //now message with be the javascript string!!

in javascript return statement only used inside function block. if you try to use return statement inside independent if else block it trigger syntax error : Illegal return statement in JavaScript

Here is my example code to avoid such error :

<script type = 'text/javascript'>
(function(){
    var ss= 'no';
    if(getStatus(ss)){
        alert('Status return true');   
    }else{
        alert('Status return false'); 
    }

    function getStatus(ask){
        if(ask=='yes')
        {
        return true;     
        }
        else
        {
        return false;
        }
    }
})();
</script>

Please check Jsfiddle example

where are you trying to return the value? to console in dev tools is better for debugging

<script type = 'text/javascript'>
var ask = confirm('".$message."');
function answer(){
  if(ask==false){
    return false;     
  } else {
    return true;
  }
}
console.log("ask : ", ask);
console.log("answer : ", answer());
</script>

In my experience, most often this error message means that you have put an accidental closing brace somewhere, leaving the rest of your statements outside the function.

Example:

function a() {
    if (global_block) //syntax error is actually here - missing opening brace
       return;
    } //this unintentionally ends the function

    if (global_somethingelse) {
       //Chrome will show the error occurring here, 
       //but actually the error is in the previous statement
       return; 
    }

    //do something
}