I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE

John 10:22-42 / Keywords 10:28

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims

10:22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[b] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

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

31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 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.”

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

40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan 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, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.

Footnotes

b. John 10:22 That is, Hanukkah

c. John 10:29 Many early manuscripts What my Father has given me is greater than all

d. John 10:34 Psalm 82:6

 

1. The Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem were perplexed when they saw Jesus’ powerful teachings and miraculous works. They had an erroneous view of the Messiah. They believed that the Messiah would be a future Jewish king and rule physically in great power. As a result of this they responded to Jesus with unbelief. Jesus proved that his works gave credence to the fact that he was the Messiah. The religious leaders did not listen to his voice nor follow him for they were not Jesus’ sheep. Those who respond in repentance and faith are Jesus’ true sheep. He gives them the promise of eternal life. No one can snatch his sheep from the Father’s hand, because he would pay the full ransom for their sins on the cross, and secure their eternal life through his resurrection. In Jesus’ love and protection, his sheep are free from the condemnation of sin.

 

2. The Jewish leaders also rejected Jesus’ testimony, “I and the Father are one,” and tried to stone him. Jesus defended himself by quoting Psalm 82:6 of the judges of Israel. Jesus is the Son of God whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world for his work of salvation. Jesus’ messianic works were clear evidence that God is in him and he is in God.

 

Prayer Lord, you are the Son of God who gives us eternal life. Help me listen to you and follow you.

One Word Jesus gives eternal life