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John 10

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

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

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.

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

And many believed on him there.

What does John 10:36 mean?

Explanation

John 10:36 features Jesus speaking to the Jews who were accusing Him of blasphemy.

In the context of the passage, the Jews had taken up stones to stone Jesus, claiming that He, a mere man, was making Himself God.

Jesus responds by referring to His consecration and mission from the Father.

The key point Jesus makes is calling into question the logic behind their accusations of blasphemy.

He contrasts His claim of being the "Son of God" with their violent reaction, arguing that if the scripture allowed for people, who were not gods, to be called "gods" or representatives of God, then it should not be blasphemous for Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, to use a title that represented His unique relationship with God the Father.

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Historical Context

The historical context of this verse is found in the Gospel of John, which was written approximately between AD 90-100.

The authorship is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, one of Jesus's original followers.

This passage is part of a larger narrative where Jesus is at the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem.

John's Gospel often emphasizes Jesus's identity and relationship with God the Father, focusing on His divine origin and mission.

The Jewish leaders often misunderstood or rejected Jesus's claims about Himself, which led to confrontations such as the one described in this chapter.

Theological Insights

From a Trinitarian Christian perspective, this verse affirms the divinity of Jesus and His unique Sonship.

The use of the term "sanctified" suggests that Jesus is set apart for a holy purpose, and His being "sent into the world" indicates a divine mission.

Alternatively, some non-Trinitarian views may interpret Jesus’s reference to being God’s Son as a title denoting his messianic role, rather than a statement of inherent divinity.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse encourages believers to recognize and affirm the identity and mission of Jesus.

It can also be seen as an admonition against making quick judgments without understanding the deeper truths presented.

In daily life, individuals can learn from Jesus's response to His accusers by patiently clarifying misunderstandings and defending the truth with wisdom.

Cross-References

John 3:17: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 10:30: "I and my Father are one."
Psalm 82:6: "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek text of this verse include "hagiazó" (ἁγιάζω) which means "to sanctify, consecrate, or set apart" and "apésteilen" (ἀπέστειλεν) which is the aorist indicative active form of "apostéllō" meaning "to send, send away, or dispatch".

These terms highlight Jesus's consecrated status and divine commissioning.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this verse with other ancient religious texts, the concept of a divine or semi-divine figure being sent by a supreme deity is not unique to Christianity. Ancient Greek demigods, like Hercules, for instance, were often depicted as being commissioned by the gods for certain tasks.

However, the Jewish-Christian understanding of one God sending His uniquely divine Son is distinctive from ancient polytheistic myths.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the ideas presented in John 10:36 aren't directly related to empirical data, as they deal with spiritual and theological concepts.

Modern scientific understandings typically do not intersect with claims of divine sonship or sanctification, as they are beyond the realm of testable hypotheses.

Commentaries

Commentators offer a range of interpretations on this verse.

Many agree that Jesus is emphasizing His divine authority and refuting the charge of blasphemy.

Some highlight Jesus's use of Psalm 82:6 as a rhetorical device to disarm His opponents. Others note that Jesus is not just claiming to be a son of God in a general sense but to have a unique sonship with God the Father.

This verse is a cornerstone for discussions on the nature of Christ and the Incarnation in Christian theology.

John 10

John 10

What does John 10:36 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 10:36 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?