The Unbelief Of The Jews
THE UNBELIEF OF THE JEWS
JOHN 10:22-30
We may sometimes lose our grip on God, but he can never lose his grip on us!
The visit of Jesus to the Feast of Tabernacles, which has occupied a large section of the “Book of Signs” (7:10–10:21), has ended in division. This is the inevitable effect of light coming into the world (3:19-21). After a further two or three months, he comes back to Jerusalem to make his last challenge before the final crisis. The festival in question was the Feast of Dedication (or Hanukkah). The temple, which had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 BC, was rededicated by Judas Maccabaeus three years later and this was commemorated annually in late December. (It is of course possible that the visit to the Feast of Tabernacles ended earlier, and that to the Feast of Dedication began earlier, perhaps at the beginning of chapter 9.)
It seems that Jesus did not take the initiative in pressing his claims but was available to be questioned further about them. The uncertainty and speculation had evidently not abated and he is now pressed to make an unequivocal statement as to whether or not he is the Christ. But an apparently straight answer would be misleading in view of the climate of belief and Jesus points them yet again to his deeds as the evidence (cf. 5:36; 10:37f.; 14:11).
What is wrong is not the evidence but the fact that they do not belong to him. If they belonged to his sheep their obedience and discipleship would be evident and there would never be any doubt about their salvation. The unity of Father and Son meant that if they enjoyed the protection of the Son, they enjoyed the protection of the Father also.
Notes 10:23: “winter”—as this was always a winter festival perhaps this is an eyewitness touch which is meant to emphasize the particularly cold weather. The reference to the portico and to the Jews gathering round in a circle seem to be similar touches. 10:26-28: the fault of unbelief is in them and not in him. There is in this passage as strong a strain of predestination as there is in the Pauline epistles. The positive side of it provides the only foundation for the Christian life. 10:30: the oneness is more than just of will. But the two Persons are still distinguished.