Read & explore together
Jesus at the Festival of Dedication
At the Festival of Dedication, people pressed Jesus to speak plainly about who he is. In this passage, Jesus points to his works, describes his sheep, and explains his relationship with the Father.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
This passage takes place in Jerusalem during the Feast of the Dedication. Jesus is walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch, when a group asks whether he is the Christ. The conversation then turns to belief, Jesus’ works, his sheep, and the Father. After further conflict, Jesus leaves and many believe in him elsewhere.
John 10:22–42Main takeaway
John 10:22–42 shows that Jesus’ words and works belong together, and that believing or refusing him is central to this conversation.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A public question in the templeThe setting matters because this is a public exchange in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Dedication, during winter, in the temple area called Solomon’s porch.
Explanation
The setting matters because this is a public exchange in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Dedication, during winter, in the temple area called Solomon’s porch. The people ask Jesus to tell them plainly if he is the Christ. Their question opens the whole discussion about belief and evidence.
02Jesus points to his works and his sheepJesus says he has already spoken, yet they do not believe. He adds that the works he does in his Father’s name testify about him.
Explanation
Jesus says he has already spoken, yet they do not believe. He adds that the works he does in his Father’s name testify about him. Then he describes his sheep: they hear his voice, he knows them, and they follow him. Jesus also says he gives them eternal life and they will never perish.
03The Son and the FatherJesus says no one can snatch his sheep from his hand, and no one can snatch them from the Father’s hand because the Father is greater than all.
Explanation
Jesus says no one can snatch his sheep from his hand, and no one can snatch them from the Father’s hand because the Father is greater than all. Then he says, “I and the Father are one.” In this passage, that statement leads straight into a strong and hostile reaction.
04Good works, Scripture, and divided responsesWhen people take up stones, Jesus asks which good work from the Father is the reason. They answer that their charge is blasphemy.
Explanation
When people take up stones, Jesus asks which good work from the Father is the reason. They answer that their charge is blasphemy. Jesus replies by referring to what is written in their law and again directs attention to his works, so that they may know the Father is in him and he in the Father. Later, beyond the Jordan, many say John’s witness about Jesus was true, and many believe in him there.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to Jesus, what testifies about him in this conversation?
Look for the evidence Jesus names when he answers their demand for a plain statement, and notice whose name those works are done in.
02How does Jesus describe his sheep?
List the actions and promises in the verses about hearing, knowing, following, eternal life, and safety in his and the Father’s hand.
03How do the responses to Jesus differ in Jerusalem and beyond the Jordan?
Compare the attempt to stone or seize Jesus with the later words about John’s witness and the belief of many people.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
John 10:22–42
22It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem.
23It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.
24The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me.
26But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
28I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
30I and the Father are one.”
31Therefore the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”
33The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
34Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?
35If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken),
36do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
37If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me.
38But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
39They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.
40He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and he stayed there.
41Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.”
42Many believed in him there.