I and My Father
Jesus states that I and my Father are one. This makes Him equal with God the Father. The Jews believe that is blasphemy.
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22-23. “Some time later, during the Feast of Dedication which we commemorate as Hanukkah, Jesus came to Jerusalem, still the target of the Pharisees and unbelieving Jews.” [Max Anders and Kenneth O. Gangel (2012). HNTC Vol. 04: John. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
24. “At the invitation of the Jews to tell us plainly if he was really the Messiah, Jesus returned again to the metaphor of the shepherd and the sheep pen and emphasized the security for those sheep who belong to the true shepherd.” [Max Anders and Kenneth O. Gangel (2012). HNTC Vol. 04: John. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
“The Jews were not seeking merely for clearly and understanding regarding who Jesus was, but rather wanted Him to declare openly that He was Messiah in order to justify attacking Him.” (MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. [Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005], 1392)
25. “In John those who could read signs (works) and images (words) had little difficulty perceiving what Jesus meant. Those who could not sense the import of those vehicles of communication failed miserably to understand Jesus’ message.” Borchert, Gerald L., The New American Commentary Volume 25A, John 1-11. [Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002], 338)
26. “This clearly indicates that God has chosen His sheep and it is they who believe and follow.” (MacArthur, 1392)
27. “Jesus knew them, and they evidenced knowing him by ‘following him.’” (Borchert, 339)
Eternal Life
28. “When He gives to them eternal life, that means that they don’t earn it and they don’t work for it. He gives it to them. Note that it is eternal life. It is forever.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 434)
29. “Jesus went on to explain that His sheep are secure in His hand and in the Father’s hand.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 332)
This verse “makes clear that the Father ultimately stands behind the sheep’s security, for no one is able to steel from God, who is in sovereign control of all things (Colossians 3:3).” (MacArthur, 1392)
30. “Both Father and Son are committed to the perfect protection and preservation of Jesus’ sheep. The sentence, emphasizing the united purpose and action of both in the security and safety of the flock, presupposes unity of nature and essence (see 5:17-23; 17:22).” (MacArthur, 1392)
Stoning
31. “For the third time John records that the Jews attempted to stone Jesus (see 5:18; 8:59). Jesus’ assertion (v. 30) that He was One with the Father affirmed His claim to deity and caused the Jews to seek His execution (v. 33).” (MacArthur, 1392)
32. Jesus simply asked, which of the good works are you stoning me for?
33. “There was no doubt in the minds of those Jews that Jesus was claiming to be God (cf. 5:18).” (MacArthur, 1393)
34. “Our Lord used Psalm 82:6 to refute their accusation and halt their actions. The picture of Psalm 82 is that of a court, where God has assembled the judges of the earth, to warn them that they too will one day be judged. (Wiersbe, 333)
35. “Perhaps it is best to remember that Jesus raised the issue in a rhetorical fashion because he knew his opponents could not supply an answer that would be adequate to defend their charge of blasphemy against him.” (Borchert, 343)
36. This verse “is crucial because it gives a double affirmation of the deity of Christ. First, the Father sanctified (set apart) the Son and sent Him into the world, and second, Jesus stated boldly, ‘I am the Son of God’ (see John 5:25). He gave them the ‘plain answer’ they asked for, but they would not believe it!” (Wiersbe, 333)
A Test
37-38. “Jesus reminded the Jews that they had a basic test for truth teaching: if people who claim to be God’s Son do not do God’s will, then their claims can be challenged. But the contrary should also prevail. If Jesus’ behavior had been marked by the kind of righteousness and power that people associated with the God they had worshiped, why not believe his words and attribute his works to God? If they had done that, the unbelieving Jews would have understood that the Father was in the Son and the Son in the Father. [Max Anders and Kenneth O. Gangel (2012). HNTC Vol. 04: John. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
39. “Once again, they tried to arrest Him (see John 7:44; 8:59), but He escaped and left the area completely.” (Wiersbe, 333)
Beyond Jordan
40. “Because of the increasing hostility, Jesus went from the region of Judea into the unpopulated area across the Jordan River, to the place where John was baptizing at first. Cf. Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:2-6; Luke 3:3-7
41. “John the Baptist did no miracles, but he bore a true testimony to the Messiah.” (McGee, 435(
The “role of the Baptizer was reaffirmed here by the people of that region who confirmed that ‘all that John said about this man [Jesus] was true.” (Borchert, 345)
42. “The people remembered John’s testimony to Christ and affirmed their faith in Him.” (MacArthur, 1393)
Have you responded personally to our Lord’s three great declarations recorded in this chapter?
He is the Door. Have you ‘entered in’ by faith so that you are saved?
He is the Good Shepherd. Have you heard His voice and trusted Him? After all, He laid down His left for you!
He is the Son of God. Do you believe that? Have you given yourself to Him and received eternal life?
Remember His stern warning: ‘if ye believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins’ (John 8:24)
References
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.
Borchert, Gerald L., The New American Commentary Volume 25A, John 1-11. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002
Max Anders and Kenneth O. Gangel (2012). HNTC Vol. 04: John. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004