A study of John 10:22-30 reveals a festival celebration and question to Jesus, the connection between belief and hearing, and the eternal security of faithful followers.
A study of John 10:22-30 reveals a festival celebration and question to Jesus.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (ESV, John 10:24)
In chapter seven, Jesus travels to Jerusalem from Galilee to celebrate the feast of the tabernacles that occurs in the fall. And throughout chapters 8 and 9, Jesus remains in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple, dialoguing with Jews, and healing a blind man. Now it’s winter and another Jewish celebration serves as the background. The feast of dedication of the Jerusalem temple.
What is the feast of dedication?
The first temple in Jerusalem was built by King Solomon around 966 BC (1 Kings 6–8). However, it was destroyed by Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar who conquered Israel in 586 BC. Later, Persia conquered Babylon and King Cyrus let the Jews return and rebuild the temple, which was completed in 516BC. However, when Alexander the Great established his empire, he introduced Greek culture. And following him, under the Seleucid dynasty, King Antiochus IV Epiphanes forced Greek culture on the Jews. It included desecrating the temple by installing pagan idols and sacrificing pigs. This resulted in the Maccabean revolt which led to the cleansing and rededication of the temple in 164 BC.
It celebrated:
- Restoring true worship
- Purifying the temple
- Preserving God’s covenant people
Although not prescribed in the Mosaic law, the feast of dedication was observed by many faithful Jews in Jesus’ day.
Now as Jesus walks through the area of the temple called the colonnade of Solomon, a group of Jews stop him to ask a question.
A study of John 10:22-30 reveals the connection between belief and hearing.
The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, (ESV, John 10:25-27)
The Jews wanted a direct answer from Jesus. Stop speaking in parables, making vague references, and give us a yes or no answer. Are you the Messiah or not? But Jesus didn’t comply. What he had said up to now was sufficient. Furthermore, his miracles were even more confirmation. So why all the mystery?
Probably because Jesus knew they weren’t interested in more clarification. But to elicit an incriminating response they could use against him. They had more than enough evidence to make an informed decision. Just refused to believe. Why? Because they weren’t his sheep. His sheep heard his voice and followed him.
The Greek word for “believe” is pisteuete, which means to believe and trust. However, it goes beyond intellectual assent and represents covenantal trust in the Son. And the Greek word for “hear” is akouousin written in present tense. Therefore, it involves ongoing responsiveness rather than a one time event. In other words, salvation is an ongoing life of faithful perseverence and obedience.
Additionally, people who claim to reject Jesus based on intellectual reasons do so in denial of the moral one. Prideful refusal to give up their sin.
A study of John 10:22-30 reveals the eternal security of faithful followers.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (ESV, John 10:27-28)
Jesus summarizes the teaching he has presented the last few chapters in one sentence. It involves a relationship between sheep and shepherd. Christ-followers, represented as the sheep, hear the voice of Jesus, the shepherd. And Jesus individually knows us relationally too. As we follow him he gives us a divinely secured, eternal life. The Greek word for “snatch” is harpazō, which means to seize, catch away, pluck, pull, and take by force. It is reassurance that what God secures cannot be undone.
The parable extends beyond a transaction of receiving Christ as savior and following him in discipleship as Lord. The only parts to the Gospel not included are still to come. The crucifixion and resurrection.
Finally, Jesus drops a bomb.
I and the father are one…
The Greek word for “one” is hen, which is the neuter form. If John had used the masculine form heis, it would have suggested that the Father and Son are one person. But the neuter form suggests the Father and Son are one in mission and purpose.
The irony in this whole exchange is the Jews were celebrating the feast of the dedication of the temple, when the Christ, who embodied the temple, stood before them. They celebrated the cleansing of the temple and completely missed the one who came to cleanse sinners.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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