John Chapter 10:19-42 by Mark Dunagan

The Gospel Of John Chapter 10:19-42

John 10:19 ‘There arose a division again among the Jews because of these words.’ ‘arose a division again among the Jews’-The Jews were often divided over whether or not to accept Jesus (John 6:52; 7:43; 9:16).

John 10:20 ‘And many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”’ ‘many’-there is no spiritual safety in believing what the majority believes! (Matthew 7:13-14)

“He has a demon and is insane”-Carefully note that they don’t use any Scripture to disprove the claims or teachings of Jesus. They can tell that Jesus is having an impact upon certain listeners, and they are simply seeking to discredit Jesus with any sort of accusation. They simply try to dismiss Jesus and everything He taught, with the accusation that Jesus is demon-possessed and mad, therefore why even listen to Him. This had been a common accusation (John 7:20; 8:48,52; Matthew 12:24). Again, we are still waiting to hear the great Scriptural argument against the claims of Jesus or against the teachings of Jesus. On the other hand, the above accusation is the only logical alternative to Jesus being the Son of God. Jesus is either the Son of God, or He is a madman, for what sane mere man claims to be God when he isn’t?

John 10:21 ‘Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demonpossessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”’ “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed” -While some acted out of pure emotion (10:20), others looked at the objective evidence. Jesus didn’t rant and rave like a madman, Jesus also made perfect sense and was very logical in His teaching. To this day the observation made here still stands. Very few people are willing to classify, for example, the Sermon on the Mount as rubbish or utter nonsense. Even unbelievers attempt to live by various principles which Jesus taught (Matthew 7:12). Quote a Scripture, and yet make no reference to where the quotation came from, and people will extol the wisdom of what you have just said. In fact, it is the voice of Jesus which brought sanity into a world gone mad. 1

“A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind”-Another line of evidence, the deeds and works of Jesus were not the deeds of an insane man or one who was under the influence of a demon. Barclay notes, ‘He healed the sick and fed the hungry and comforted the sorrowing. The madness of megalomania is essentially selfish. It seeks for nothing but its own glory and its own prestige.’ (p. 79) Demons didn’t go around helping and healing people, rather, they did the exact opposite. Be once again impressed, that people outside of Jesus Christ are not inherently depraved, rather, they can see the truth and even make some powerful arguments in favor of the truth.

John 10:22 ‘At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem.’ ‘the Feast of the Dedication’-This festival, also called ‘Chanukah’ came on the 25th of December. Upon the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was divided three ways. Seleucus I, one of Alexander’s officers became ruler over Syria, including Palestine. The Seleucid era lasted from 312 B.C. to 65 B.C. During this time, one of the Seleucid rulers, named Antiochus Ephiphanes came to the throne (175-164 B.C.). He had made up his mind that he would do away with Jewish religion and culture for good and introduce Greek culture and religion into Palestine. In 170 B.C., Antiochus invaded Jerusalem, the temple courts were profaned, the temple chambers turned into brothels, and a pig was sacrificed upon the altar of burnt offering in the temple. Judas Maccabaeus, with his brothers and an outnumbered ill-equipped, but courageous army, rose to fight a war of six long, bloody years of independence. In 164 B.C., the first time for about 400 years, the Jews were an independent kingdom. In this year the temple was cleansed and purified of all heathen defilements, and was re-dedicated. To commemorate this re-dedication, the Feast of Dedication was instituted. ‘This is the beginning of winter in Jerusalem. The weather is stormy, with the rainy season well under way; snow has been known to fall on the mountain-tops of Judea at this time of year.’ (Butler p. 120) This feast was also called the ‘Feast of Light’ because of the impressive manner in which lights were used in the solemn processions. Illuminations, the carrying of palms (a symbol of victory), and the singing of psalms marked this feast. This feast was like a national holiday to the Jewish people (much like our fourth of July), and it was celebrated with strong feelings of patriotism.

John 10:23 ‘it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.’ ‘portico of Solomon’-Solomon’s temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. The temple which Herod had built had a long colonnade, or covered porch,

forming the eastern boundary of the temple complex. This structure was called Solomon’s portico. ‘It was winter; the elevation of Jerusalem was high and cold, and rain and snow could be expected at this season; hence Jesus met the cold, inclement weather by teaching in this great covered cloister where many could assemble and yet find protection from rain and could meet the chill of winter by walking with Jesus as He taught.’ (Foster p. 904) Apparently this structure was a very old structure and it was popularly thought (this was the view held by Josephus) to have been part of Solomon’s temple, though that belief was not well-founded. Solomon’s porch was supported by two rows of marble columns, which were 25 cubits high, the porch being around 30 cubits wide.

John 10:24 ‘The Jews therefore gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”’ “How long will You keep us in suspense?”-Like many people, they claim that Jesus hadn’t spoken with sufficient clarity that Jesus hadn’t given them enough evidence to believe. But these Jews are not seeking evidence upon which to believe in Him, rather they are seeking evidence by which they might destroy Him. ‘They mean that this is now the end; they are determined to end it right here and now. “Art thou or art thou not the Christ?” If he says, “I am,” the stones will fly.’ (Lenski p. 750) They want to kill Him, and the defense that they will use, is that He was a blasphemer. Point To Note: But the evidence had been clear: He claimed equality in honor with the Father (5:23); that He was the Judge of all mankind (5:27); that He was the light of the world (8:12); that if they did not believe in Him, they would die in their sins (8:24); that if a man would keep His sayings he would never see death (3:35,36; 5:24-25; 6:44). On other occasions they were ready to kill Jesus, because they knew He was claiming to be Divine (John 5:18). And yet now they claim that He has been holding out on them, and keeping them in suspense. Hence, their complaint is completely dishonest. They don’t want to know if He is the messiah, rather, they want Him to make the claim one more time, so they can instantly kill Him.

John 10:25 ‘Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me.”’ “I told you”-see especially, John 5:19ff. “the works that I do”-and they had more than His mere words or claims. They had clear proof that God has put His stamp of approval upon Jesus. The miracles were proof positive that this is the Son of God and everything that He says is endorsed by the Father. See John 5:36.

John 10:26 “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.” John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;” Point To Note: Our reaction to Jesus automatically commends or condemns us. ‘He who refuses to believe such testimony convicts himself.’ (Lenski p. 752) Our reaction to Jesus is the great test between who is honest and who isn’t. Who wants to believe the truth and who doesn’t. Nothing prevented these men from believing the truth (John 7:17; 5:39-40; 9:2627). They could have chosen to believe (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:11). Their unbelief was due to their own stubborn and selfish wills (Matthew 13:13-15).

John 10:28 “and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” “they shall never perish”-The follower of Jesus should have confidence in their salvation! At the same time, this verse is not teaching the Calvinistic doctrine of once saved always saved. Points To Note: 1.

This promise of security in the Father’s hand has conditions and these conditions are found in the above verses: To be one of His sheep, we must hear His voice and follow Him. 2. The believer will never end up lost, as long as they continue to obey and believe the teachings of Jesus. Salvation is guaranteed for the person who does continue to follow Jesus. 3. But the believer can cease to believe (Ezekiel 18:24; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26ff). The faith that saves is an attitude over a lifetime, rather than the act of a moment. 4. Even denominational writers can see this: Westcott notes, ‘If man falls at any stage in his spiritual life, it is not from want of divine grace, nor from the overwhelming power of adversaries, but from his neglect to use that which he may or may not use. We cannot be protected against ourselves in spite of ourselves….The sense of the divine protection is at any moment sufficient to inspire confidence, but not to render effort unnecessary.’ (Butler p. 123) 5. Jesus placed the responsibility on the sheep (‘they follow me’-5:27), as long as one follows Jesus, everything will be all right.

Predestination looks so ridiculous in the above verses. 1. Why is Jesus spending time, teaching people who can’t believe, even if they wanted to believe? 2. Why is Jesus trying to save people, who can’t be saved, even if they wanted to be saved? 3. Why is Jesus rebuking people for not acting like His sheep, when they were predestined not be to His sheep—and this wasn’t even their own choice!

John 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to Me; is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” Points To Note: 1.

It is clear that Jesus is not the same person as the Father (Matthew 3:16-17; John 1:1). We must reject the doctrine of oneness Pentecostalism, which states that Jesus is the Father, and the Holy Spirit and the Son, that God is composed of only one person. 2. Yet Jesus is of the exact same nature or essence, Jesus is 100% God (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is also “one” in thought, purpose, will, work and so on with the Father. They are in 100% agreement on all things. 3. Jesus calls upon all Christians to demonstrate a similar “oneness” among themselves (John 17:20-21). At this point we must reject any attempts to create a unity among ourselves which is detached from doctrine. Jesus and the Father are completely united in what they teach. Jesus doesn’t have differing views with the Father, one objective truth does exist.

John 10:31 ‘The Jews took up stones again to stone Him.’ ‘again’-They had attempted to stone Jesus on other occasions (John 8:59). But give these unbelieving Jews some credit, at least they saw what Jesus was claiming (10:33). They were more spiritually perceptive than those who claim that Jesus never claimed to be equal with God. ‘These events took place in the temple area and there were numerous stones on the grounds where the temple was being repaired.’ (Woods p. 222) Butler notes that these Jews were not looking for ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23), rather they were looking for a Messiah who would pat them on the back, feed their stomachs, give them material glory and prosperity. ‘They had no time for God among them, convicting them of their sins and preaching a spiritual kingdom.’ (p. 124) ‘They had asked Jesus for a plain assertion of His messiahship, and they got more than they had bargained for.’ (Morris p. 523) They knew that Jesus was claiming much more than simply that He observed the will of God, or that Jesus is like-minded with the Father. The ‘oneness’ under consideration is an essential unity, these two inherently belong together.

John 10:32 ‘Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”’ “I showed you many good works”-Be amazed at how Jesus reacts with perfect calmness, He is still in control of this situation. And note how He attempts to convict their

hearts. ‘He demanded that they name the miracle for which they were going to kill Him.’ (Foster p. 908) The miracles were visible demonstrations that Jesus and the Father were indeed “one”, that the Father was endorsing everything Jesus was doing and saying. ‘Jesus asks …”Does any work that I have shown you contradict my assertion that I and the Father are one,”’ (Lenski p. 762) Jesus is calmly asking these men to stop and think. ‘Jesus never asks anyone simply to assent to the abstract metaphysical proposition that he and the Father are one in essence (without any proof).’ (Lenski p. 763) ‘There are at least thirteen recorded miracles of mercy performed by Jesus before this time. He raised the dead, opened blind eyes, cleansed lepers, cast out demons and healed many other physical infirmities…Jesus is not resting His claim on philosophical abstractions, but on empirical evidence.’ (Butler p. 126)

John 10:33 ‘The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”’ “For a good work we do not stone You”-Even His enemies admitted that He performed miraculous deeds (John 11:47).

“being a man, make Yourself out to be God”-Jesus looked like an ordinary man, there was not a mysterious glow around His body or halo around His head. Yes, Jesus was claiming to be God.

John 10:34 ‘Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are Gods’?”’ “written in your Law”-This is a quotation from Psalm 82:6. John 10:35 “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),” John 10:36 “do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming’, because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” Points To Note: 1.

Jesus didn’t say, ‘Oh, you’ve got it all wrong, I am not claiming to be God.’ 2. In the Old Testament (Psalm 82:6), the judges and magistrates among the people of God had been called ‘gods, because they administered justice as direct representatives of God Himself. ‘Jesus reminds them that their highly cherished ‘law’ called men “gods” and they had never protested that!’ (Butler p. 127) 3. But note, Jesus

doesn’t stop His argument on that point. If human judges in the O.T. had been called ‘gods’, then how much more is the term ‘God’ appropriate for someone who manifests the works of God! Jesus had been sanctified and sent by the Father into the world, and Jesus performed the miraculous which proved that God was endorsing all that He said and did (10:37), including His claims of being Divine. ‘Do you think that God would continue to favor Me if I was blaspheming?’ 4. Morris makes a good point when he says, ‘It is sometimes said that this verse classes Jesus as a man among men, and shows that His claims to divinity are not to be taken seriously (Jehovah Witnesses would make an argument like this). But notice that His argument runs not, “Psalm 82 speaks of men as gods; therefore I in common with other men may use the term of Myself”, but rather, “If in any sense the Psalm may apply this term to men, then much more may it be applied to Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world.” Jesus is not classing Himself among men. He calls Himself “him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world”….He separates and distinguishes Himself from men. His argument is of the “How much more----“ variety.’ (pp. 527-528)

“and the Scripture cannot be broken”-‘cannot be set aside’ (Gspd); ‘cannot be annulled’ (Mon). Points To Note: The above statement has so many applications and far-reaching implications: 1. The Scriptures cannot be set aside by man, they possess an authority so great that they cannot be broken, annulled or disregarded without consequence. 2. This verse contradicts those who claim that Scriptures can be set aside if the situation demands it. ‘If the Scripture speaks, the issue is settled once and for all…The contemporary existential and subjective validation of the Word (i.e. various passages become or do not become the Word of God in the mind of the reader) is crushed by this statement.’ (Butler p. 127) 3. Regardless of what man discovers, man will never discover a historical truth or scientific truth which will contradict what is found in Scripture. Scripture never becomes irrelevant or out-dated. 4. Time and culture do not deprive Scripture of it’s authority. 5. Only God has the right to declare when Scripture has been fulfilled (Matthew 5:19), or when one covenant has been replaced by another. 5. ‘Every statement of the Scripture stands immutably, indestructible in its verity, unaffected by denial, human ignorance or criticism, charges of errancy or other subjective attack.’ (Lenski p. 767) 6. Morris hits the nail on the head when he observes, ‘Notice that he says this, not in connection with some declaration which might be regarded as among the key declarations of the Old Testament, but of what we might perhaps call without disrespect a rather run-of-the-mill passage.’ (p. 526) No Scripture, not even the most “ordinary” can be broken. Every passage stands equally authoritative and equally inspired. We cannot pick and choose which Scriptures or doctrines we think are more important than others. 7. Be impressed that Jesus is making a rather technical argument. He could of cited other Scriptures from the Old Testament which proved that the Messiah would be God (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2), but He didn’t. God isn’t against fine tuned arguments.

John 10:37 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;” Again, Jesus encourages His enemies to examine the evidence (John 5:36). His miraculous works prove that there exists between Him and the Father an unbroken fellowship, a perfect union. One would have to be dishonest and deliberate in denying reality, to say that His claims were unsupported.

John 10:38 “but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” “Father is in Me, and I in the Father”-another way of saying that ‘I and the Father are one’. The above passages remind us that there is always a moral element to faith as well as an intellectual. A person must be willing to believe or have a mind open to believing. Jesus is saying more than ‘the Father is guiding Me or working through Me or enabling Me to do these things.’ He says, ‘I in the Father’. It is the language of a perfect relationship.

John 10:39 ‘Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.’ ‘eluded their grasp’-whether by miraculous or non-miraculous means we are not told. As on other occasions, Jesus will not die until it is God’s time for Him to die. In view of such statements (8:59), how can anyone seriously say that the death of Jesus was an accident?

Beyond The Jordan John 10:40 ‘And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.’ ‘to the place where John was first baptizing’-John 1:28 ‘Bethany beyond the Jordan.’ It will be about four months until Jesus dies on the cross. Jesus could not recklessly endanger His life, it wasn’t the time yet, and so He withdraws from Jerusalem to the east side of the Jordan.

John 10:41 ‘And many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.”’ John 10:42 ‘And many believed in Him there.’

Points To Note: 1. And yet in this remote place, people came to Jesus, He influence did not diminish. And people had remembered what John had said about Jesus. John had never performed any miracles, but he had accurately described Jesus. 2. What irony. In Jerusalem, the place where you would expect people to be interested in spiritual things—they rejected God’s message. Across the Jordan, they accepted it! 3. Apparently, Jesus will remain here until he was called to the home of Lazarus (11:7). 4. Like the people in Samaria (John 4), the people here did not have the learning and advantages of those in Jerusalem. But that didn’t keep them from believing. 5. Lack of information is never the primary reason why people don’t believe in Jesus.