John – Chapter 10:22-42
10:22-23 Final Dialogues with “the Jews” – Jesus is still near or in Jerusalem. Jesus confronts “the Jews” at the center of their Jewish life. These last words, before the narrative turns towards the Passover, take place at the feast of the renewal or dedication of the Temple. This is not the feast to celebrate the dedication under Solomon (1 Kings 8) or the rededication under Josiah (2 Kings 22–23, and 2 Chronicles 34–35). This feast of dedication is also called Feast of Lights or Hanukkah. It lasts eight days and kept alive the memory of the restoration of the temple under Judas Maccabeus on Kislev 25, 165 BC after its desecration by the the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Kislev falls in December, hence “it was winter.” Solomon’s portico would provide shelter but also is a note of historicity (e.g. Acts 3:11; 5:12). The Psalm for the feast (Ps 30) sets the tone for this and the following chapters. v. 24 Stop keeping us in suspense! – The Jews again ask the question in the background in all their disputes with Jesus (7:28, 31, 41ff; 9:22). Now they demand an answer. They accuse of him “taking away our life/breath.” This is similar to the high priest in Mt 26:23; Lk 22:67. Jesus does not claim publicly to be the Messiah! (See Mk 8:30; Mk 1:34; 5:43; 7:36; 9:9). To claim to be the Messiah led only to false conclusions and expectations (6:14-15; 7:31, 41ff). v. 25-28 “I told you, and you did not believe” – Despite no outright confession He is the Messiah, His self-revelation leaves no doubt to His identity and authority. His works bear witness to Him and speak for themselves. They are not proof of His selfimportance but reference the Father and His glory (5:19ff; 8:28; 9:32-33; 14:10). While Jesus repeatedly confronts His opponents, they are not lost. Rather, the miracle of faith that hears the voice of the Good Shepherd is given against the blindness and helplessness of unbelief. Faith remains a miracle of God’s gift and is realized only by God, His authority and His power (3:3, 8; 5:8, 25). Full emphasis here is on the imperishable and unassailable gift of Jesus that as the good Shepherd He gives to the sheep. It is “eternal life,” the sheep will never “be lost,” and no power of the world can break…