Jesus is Rejected by the Jews at the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22-42)

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This passage takes place during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem, where Jesus is walking in the temple courts, specifically in Solomon’s colonnade. The Jewish leaders confront Jesus, asking him to clearly state whether he is the Christ (the Messiah). Jesus responds by pointing to his works, saying they testify to his identity, but they do not believe because they are not among his sheep. He explains that his sheep hear his voice, follow him, and receive eternal life, emphasizing that no one can snatch them out of his or the Father’s hand.

The key moment comes when Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one" (ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ἕν ἐσμεν [egō kai ho patēr hen esmen]), a statement that causes the Jewish leaders to accuse him of blasphemy and attempt to stone him. Jesus defends himself by quoting Psalm 82:6, where humans are referred to as "gods" (θεοί [theoi]), arguing that if scripture can use such language, his claim to be the Son of God (υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ [huios tou theou]) is not blasphemous, especially since the Father consecrated and sent him into the world. Despite their hostility, some believe in him because of his works.

The phrase "I and the Father are one" (ἕν [hen]) signifies unity in essence, not just purpose. This underscores the doctrine of Jesus' divine nature and his relationship with the Father, a central tenet of Christian theology. This is supported by the reference to Jesus’ works (ἔργα [erga])  as evidence of his divine authority. The passage stresses the importance of faith based on both Jesus’ words and deeds, emphasizing that belief is a response to divine revelation. By quoting Psalm 82:6, Jesus points to the power and authority of scripture (γραφή [graphē]), demonstrating a profound understanding of its application. His argument shows that his claims are consistent with biblical precedent.

This passage reassures believers of their security in Jesus, who offers eternal life and an unbreakable connection with the Father. It calls for faith rooted in both Jesus' words and works and encourages trust in the unity and authority of God’s plan, even in the face of rejection or opposition.

Vocabulary

Word Meaning
γίνομαι dít se, stát se
τότε tehdy
ὁ, ἡ, τό ten, ta, to
ἐγκαίνια, ίων, τά posvěcení chrámu, chanuka
ἐν v, ve (s D)
Ἱεροσόλυμα, ων, τά Jeruzalém
χειμών, ῶνος, ὁ zima
εἰμί jsem; být
καί a, i
περιπατέω chodit, procházet se; žít

Biblical text

10:22Ἐγένετο τότε τὰ ἐνκαίνια ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις· χειμὼν ἦν·23καὶ περιεπάτει Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ἐν τῇ στοᾷ τοῦ Σολομῶνος.24ἐκύκλωσαν οὖν αὐτὸν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ ἔλεγον αὐτῷ Ἕως πότε τὴν ψυχὴν ἡμῶν αἴρεις; εἰ σὺ εἶ Χριστός, εἰπὸν ἡμῖν παρρησίᾳ.25ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς Εἶπον ὑμῖν, καὶ οὐ πιστεύετε· τὰ ἔργα ἐγὼ ποιῶ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Πατρός μου, ταῦτα μαρτυρεῖ περὶ ἐμοῦ·26ἀλλὰ ὑμεῖς οὐ πιστεύετε, ὅτι οὐκ ἐστὲ ἐκ τῶν προβάτων τῶν ἐμῶν.27τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἐμὰ τῆς φωνῆς μου ἀκούουσιν, κἀγὼ γινώσκω αὐτά, καὶ ἀκολουθοῦσίν μοι,28κἀγὼ δίδωμι αὐτοῖς ζωὴν αἰώνιον, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀπόλωνται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, καὶ οὐχ ἁρπάσει τις αὐτὰ ἐκ τῆς χειρός μου.29 Πατήρ μου δέδωκέν μοι πάντων μεῖζόν ἐστιν, καὶ οὐδεὶς δύναται ἁρπάζειν ἐκ τῆς χειρὸς τοῦ Πατρός.30ἐγὼ καὶ Πατὴρ ἕν ἐσμεν.31Ἐβάστασαν πάλιν λίθους οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἵνα λιθάσωσιν αὐτόν.32ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς Πολλὰ ἔργα ἔδειξα ὑμῖν καλὰ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρός· διὰ ποῖον αὐτῶν ἔργον ἐμὲ λιθάζετε;33ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι Περὶ καλοῦ ἔργου οὐ λιθάζομέν σε ἀλλὰ περὶ βλασφημίας, καὶ ὅτι σὺ ἄνθρωπος ὢν ποιεῖς σεαυτὸν Θεόν.34ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς Οὐκ ἔστιν γεγραμμένον ἐν τῷ νόμῳ ὑμῶν ὅτι Ἐγὼ εἶπα Θεοί ἐστε;35εἰ ἐκείνους εἶπεν θεοὺς πρὸς οὓς λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ οὐ δύναται λυθῆναι γραφή,36ὃν Πατὴρ ἡγίασεν καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι Βλασφημεῖς, ὅτι εἶπον Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰμι;37εἰ οὐ ποιῶ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Πατρός μου, μὴ πιστεύετέ μοι·38εἰ δὲ ποιῶ, κἂν ἐμοὶ μὴ πιστεύητε, τοῖς ἔργοις πιστεύετε, ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ γινώσκητε ὅτι ἐν ἐμοὶ Πατὴρ κἀγὼ ἐν τῷ Πατρί.39Ἐζήτουν οὖν αὐτὸν πάλιν πιάσαι· καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν.40Καὶ ἀπῆλθεν πάλιν πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου εἰς τὸν τόπον ὅπου ἦν Ἰωάνης τὸ πρῶτον βαπτίζων, καὶ ἔμενεν ἐκεῖ.41καὶ πολλοὶ ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ ἔλεγον ὅτι Ἰωάνης μὲν σημεῖον ἐποίησεν οὐδέν, πάντα δὲ ὅσα εἶπεν Ἰωάνης περὶ τούτου ἀληθῆ ἦν.42καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ.