John 10:22-30
Chapter 10
22
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God
The time arrived for the Feast of Dedication. It was winter,23
and Jesus was walking back and forth in the portico of Solomon.
24
The Jews then gathered around him and said to him:
“How long will you keep us in doubt? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25
Jesus answered:
“I have already told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name, proclaim who I am,
26
but you don’t believe because you are not among my sheep.
27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them; they follow me.
28
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one can take them out of my hand.
29
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
30
The Father and I are one.”
Commentaries
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God.
The evangelist presents three connected phrases that highlight the eschatological joy every disciple experiences through their union with the Good Shepherd: Jesus grants them eternal life, they will never perish, and no one can snatch them out of his hand. This confidence in eschatological salvation reaches its peak in verse 29: “No one can snatch anything out of my Father’s hand.” When all communication breaks down, Jesus’ enemies turn to violence. They try to seize him, but Jesus escapes and leaves them behind; he goes to the other side of the Jordan, where he was at the beginning and where John was baptizing (3:22); there, he is warmly received, and many come to believe in him.