Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims

22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.(A) 24 The Jews(B) who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”(C)

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you,(D) but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,(E) 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.(F) 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,(G) and they follow me.(H) 28 I give them eternal life,(I) and they shall never perish;(J) no one will snatch them out of my hand.(K) 29 My Father, who has given them to me,(L) is greater than all[b];(M) no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”(N)

31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him,(O) 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”

33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”(P)

34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law,(Q) ‘I have said you are “gods”’[c]?(R) 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God(S) came—and Scripture cannot be set aside(T) 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart(U) as his very own(V) and sent into the world?(W) Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?(X) 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.(Y) 38 But if I do them, even 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.”(Z) 39 Again they tried to seize him,(AA) but he escaped their grasp.(AB)

40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan(AC) to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign,(AD) all that John said about this man was true.”(AE) 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.(AF)

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Footnotes

  1. John 10:22 That is, Hanukkah
  2. John 10:29 Many early manuscripts What my Father has given me is greater than all
  3. John 10:34 Psalm 82:6

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

42 And many believed on him there.

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