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In this lesson:
Two months have passed since the parable of the shepherd (lesson 189). Jesus is in Jerusalem to celebrate Hanukkah. Jesus is back in the Temple, surrounded by unbelievers (10:24) and in danger of being stoned (10:31). Study Tip: To apply a passage to your life, ask yourself three questions. Does it warn me of something to avoid? Does it have instructions for me to follow? What difference would it make in my life? |
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The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 10:22-42
Jewish leaders don't believe 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there. |
Margin notes:
"Feast of the dedication." (10:22) - Usually called Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights. It is a Jewish holiday held each December to commemorate Syria's defeat in 164 BC and the cleansing and re-dedication of the Temple defiled by King Antiochus Epiphanes. "Solomon's porch." (10:23) - Solomon's porch was part of the Temple in Jerusalem. Built by King Herod, it was located in the Temple courtyard on the east side of the court of Gentiles. The porch was fifteen hundred feet long and ninety-five feet wide with a rich cedar roof (1 Kings 7:7) supported by magnificent stone columns. In Acts 3:11, a lame man followed Peter and John to Solomon's porch to thank them for the miracle that allowed him to walk. "Then came the Jews round about him." (10:24) - "Then the Jewish religious leaders surrounded Jesus." "How long dost thou make us to doubt." (10:24) - Means "how long will you keep us in suspense." "Tell us plainly." (10:24) - Not so they would believe, but so they could accuse Jesus of blasphemy and stone Him (10:31). "Ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep." (10:26) - They didn't believe because they didn't hear. They didn't hear because they were not of God (John 8:47). "Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (10:28) - Read John 6:37-39 and 17:12. "I and my Father are one." (10:30) - This is perhaps the most definitive statement in the Bible on Jesus' divinity. It leaves no room for doubt; Jesus is God. "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him." (10:31) - This is not the first time they tried to stone Jesus (John 8:59). "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" (10:34) - It is written in Psalm 82:6. See "Today's Question" below. "The scripture cannot be broken." (10:35) - Because it is the holy word of God, scripture will last forever. "Sanctified." (10:36) - To be blessed, made holy, consecrated, atoned, cleansed of guilt, connected to the spiritual, and set apart for special use by God. Christians are sanctified, not because they are perfect but because of their relationship with Christ. "Blasphemest." (10:36) - Means to blasphemy. To blasphemy is to slander, insult (through words or actions), or speak irreverently of God, His authority, or grandeur. The Old testament named blasphemy as one of the worst sins, punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16). The New Testament calls blasphemy the unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10). Unforgiveable because the sinner will not ask for forgiveness. Blasphemy isn't just a one-time mistake made in a time of spiritual uncertainty; it's an ongoing attitude of rebellion against God. "I am the Son of God." (10:36) - See Luke 1:35. "The Father is in me, and I in him." (10:38) - The Father and Son are one, a vital message that Jesus will repeat in verse 17:21. "They sought again to take him." (10:39) - "They tried again to arrest Him." "The place where John at first baptized." (10:40) - Jesus went to Bethabara (John 1:28), north of the Dead Sea. See map above. "Many resorted unto him." (10:41) - Means "Many came to Him." |
New Living Translation
John 10:22-42
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God
22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication.
23 He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon's Colonnade.
24 The people surrounded him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father's name.
26 But you don't believe me because you are not my sheep.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand.
30 The Father and I are one."
31 Once again the people picked up stones to kill him.
32 Jesus said, "At my Father's direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?"
33 They replied, "We're stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God."
34 Jesus replied, "It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, 'I say, you are gods!'
35 And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God's message were called 'gods,'
36 why do you call it blasphemy when I say, 'I am the Son of God'? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world.
37 Don't believe me unless I carry out my Father's work.
38 But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don't believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father."
39 Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them.
40 He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile.
41 And many followed him. "John didn't perform miraculous signs," they remarked to one another, "but everything he said about this man has come true."
42 And many who were there believed in Jesus.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God
22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication.
23 He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon's Colonnade.
24 The people surrounded him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father's name.
26 But you don't believe me because you are not my sheep.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand.
30 The Father and I are one."
31 Once again the people picked up stones to kill him.
32 Jesus said, "At my Father's direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?"
33 They replied, "We're stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God."
34 Jesus replied, "It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, 'I say, you are gods!'
35 And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God's message were called 'gods,'
36 why do you call it blasphemy when I say, 'I am the Son of God'? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world.
37 Don't believe me unless I carry out my Father's work.
38 But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don't believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father."
39 Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them.
40 He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile.
41 And many followed him. "John didn't perform miraculous signs," they remarked to one another, "but everything he said about this man has come true."
42 And many who were there believed in Jesus.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me." (10:24-25)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (10:27-29)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (10:27-29)
Today's Question:
1. Are we Gods? (10:34)
To learn more about the Scriptures, explore your Bible every day.
These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God.
1. Are we Gods? (10:34)
To learn more about the Scriptures, explore your Bible every day.
These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. No, Jesus was referring to Moses (Exodus 7:1) and the ancient Israelite judges and leaders. Jesus called them "Gods" because they were divinely inspired and represented God on earth.
Application thought for the day:
What does Jesus mean by; "The Scripture cannot be broken?" (10:35)
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke