John Chapter 10

[Momof5]

Are we ready to go on to Chapter 10? :)

I will post the first couple verses...

NKJV John 10

1) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Jesus is still speaking to the Pharisees here. It sounds like he is telling them that they are going about things the wrong way. The only way to the Father is by the Son.

2) But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Jesus is the true shepherd.

:hug: :hug:

[Debra R]

Are we ready to go on to Chapter 10? http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

I will post the first couple verses...

NKJV John 10

1) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Jesus is still speaking to the Pharisees here. It sounds like he is telling them that they are going about things the wrong way. The only way to the Father is by the Son.

2) But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Jesus is the true shepherd.

http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif


http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/kiss.gif http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/jfj.gif

Thank you Brenda, I can't believe we finally made it to chapter 10. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/jfj.gif

This is an awesome chapter too!!

I'll be back. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

Love you Sis! http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[Momof5]

:hug: I am going to add some verses, then we can discuss them. :)

NKJV John 10

3) To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out,

4) And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

5) Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

6) Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

[Debra R]

Momof5....

NKJV John 10

1) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Jesus is still speaking to the Pharisees here. It sounds like he is telling them that they are going about things the wrong way. The only way to the Father is by the Son.



And that reminds me of John 14:6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
They can't go any other way but through Jesus. He is the Door.



2) But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Jesus is the true shepherd.



Yes, He is. This Psalm comes to mind, it is one of my favorite Psalms..

Psalm 23

1 ) The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

3) He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.

6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.




NKJV John 10

3) To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out,

4) And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

5) Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

6) Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.



We know our Shepherd. We know His voice. He goes before us and beside us. He is always with us. He guards and protects us. But we also have to stay close to Him. I was trying to explain to my daughter once how important it is to stay close to the Lord and stay in the boundaries of His will.

Its like, imagine you are with the Shepherd and there is a fence around you, outside that fence there are wolves and all kinds of dangers. You stay close to the Shepherd and inside the fence then they can't get you, He keeps the dangers away. If you go outside that fence, you are going out from His protection and into all kinds of dangerous situations. And you will get yourself in trouble. You have to stay under His covering.


Blessings. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[Debra R]

http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif A few more verses.....

John 10:

7) Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you,
I am the door of the sheep.

8) All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

9) I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

10) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.


Blessings http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[Momof5]

Hi Debra! :hug: I have been trying to get the time to post for a few days.. :blush: Here's a few thoughts that I have been studying on - there is so much more though. I am looking forward to your and Mieke's insights and studies (and any others who would like to join in!) :hug:

John 10:

7) Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

Shepherds guided their flocks into the sheepfold each night. The sheepfold had no doors. The shepherd sat or laid in the doorway to protect the sheep. Jesus was describing His care and protection to those who are His own.


8) All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

Jesus was telling the Pharisees that they were the thieves and robbers because they tried to act like the shepherd and get into the sheepfold by some other means than by the door.

9) I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

I am sure when Jesus said "I AM", the Pharisees knew exactly what He was saying!

When we come into the fold through Jesus, He gives us eternal life, spiritual life and spiritual food.

10) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

I love that Jesus gave me life - my life on earth has meaning and a quality that I never had before and I know in Heaven my life will be perfect!

[Debra R]

Hi Debra! http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif I have been trying to get the time to post for a few days.. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/blush.gif Here's a few thoughts that I have been studying on - there is so much more though. I am looking forward to your and Mieke's insights and studies (and any others who would like to join in!) http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

John 10:

7) Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

Shepherds guided their flocks into the sheepfold each night. The sheepfold had no doors. The shepherd sat or laid in the doorway to protect the sheep. Jesus was describing His care and protection to those who are His own.



Good Morning Brenda, http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

I wonder what a sheepfold looks like.
In thinking on the shepherd sitting or laying in the doorway, no one or nothing could get to the sheep unless it went through the shepherd.

Same as with us, nothing can get to us unless it goes through Jesus first. That is awesome isn't it?


Have a wonderful day in Christ's love, http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif
Debra

[miepie]

Good Morning..... I am working on the commentaries..... takes some time.... but hopefully it will be ready tonight..... that hospitalexam took some toll out of me..... :hug:

[miepie]

Commentary on John 10, the chapter:

JFB Commentary:
THE GOOD SHEPHERD. This discourse seems plainly to be a continuation of the closing verses of the ninth chapter. The figure was familiar to the Jewish ear (from Jeremiah 23:1-4 &c.). "This simple creature [the sheep] has this special note among all animals, that it quickly hears the voice of the shepherd, follows no one else, depends entirely on him, and seeks help from him alone—cannot help itself, but is shut up to another's aid" [LUTHER in STIER].

Jeremiah 23:1-4
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the Lord. [2] Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: "You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says the Lord. [3] "But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. [4] I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the Lord.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
THE GOOD SHEPHERD DISCOURSE (10:1-21)
The discourse on the Good Shepherd continues the same setting as in chapter 9. Comparing people to a shepherd and his sheep was common in the Middle East. Kings and priests called themselves shepherds and their subjects sheep. The Bible makes frequent use of this analogy. Many of the great men of the Old Testament were shepherds (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David). As national leaders, Moses and David were both “shepherds” over Israel. Some of the most famous passages in the Bible employ this motif (cf. Ps. 23; Isa. 53:6; Luke 15:1-7).
Jesus developed this analogy in several ways. The connection with the preceding chapter is seen in Jesus’ contrast of the Pharisees with the man born blind. The Pharisees—spiritually blind while claiming insight (John 9:41)—were false shepherds. As the True Shepherd, Jesus came to seek and to heal. His sheep hear and respond to His voice.

Psalm 23:1-6
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
[2] He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
[3] He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Luke 15:1-7
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. [2] And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." [3] So He spoke this parable to them, saying: [4] "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' [7] I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.



John 10:1
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

JFB Commentary:
1, 2. He that entereth not by the door—the legitimate way (without saying what that was, as yet).
into the sheepfold—the sacred enclosure of God's true people.
climbeth up some other way—not referring to the assumption of ecclesiastical office without an external call, for those Jewish rulers, specially aimed at, had this (Matthew 23:2), but to the want of a true spiritual commission, the seal of heaven going along with the outward authority; it is the assumption of the spiritual guidance of the people without this that is meant.

Matthew 23:2
saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:1-2. Verses 1-5 describe a morning shepherding scene. A shepherd enters through a gate into a walled enclosure which has several flocks in one sheep pen. The enclosure, with stone walls, is guarded at night by a doorkeeper to prevent thieves and beasts of prey from entering. Anyone who would climb the wall would do it for no good purpose.



John 10:2
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

JFB Commentary:
2. he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep—a true, divinely recognized shepherd.


My commentary:
The last few weeks have been really hard for me. Due to my physical circumstances I have trouble accepting life the way it is right now, not being able to do physically what used to be so normal. I pray a lot about it, and somehow I feel that today God offered me a solution. Instead of trying to deal with the whole thing at once, He told me to take it a little piece at the time and make it into easier parts to deal with. It is almost like these two verses of John say what He told me. It felt like I drifted away from the flock, worrying about worldly things, and Yah Shua went into the field to show me the way back. He showed me that my cross is heavy, but that He helps me to carry it. I went astray, but I recognized the voice of my Shepherd when He came to call me back where I belong. Psalm 23 is a very comforting psalm to me. It has made clear today what really is important, like it did before, so many times. Also, a lot of people are afraid that they will believe in the AntiChrist when he is reigning on the earth. But Yah Shua said here:
John 10:27-30
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. [28] And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. [30] I and My Father are one."
So we have nothing left to fear.

[miepie]

John 10:3-4
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

JFB Commentary:
3. To him the porter openeth—that is, right of free access is given, by order of Him to whom the sheep belong; for it is better not to give the allusion a more specific interpretation [CALVIN, MEYER, LUTHARDT].
and the sheep hear his voice—This and all that follows, though it admits of important application to every faithful shepherd of God's flock, is in its direct and highest sense true only of "the great Shepherd of the sheep," who in the first five verses seems plainly, under the simple character of a true shepherd, to be drawing His own portrait [LAMPE, STIER, &c.].

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
3-4. By contrast, the shepherd has a right to enter the sheep pen. The watchman opens the gate, and the shepherd comes in to call his own sheep by name (out from the other flocks). Shepherds knew their sheep well and gave them names. As sheep hear the sound of their owner’s familiar voice, they go to him. He leads them out of the pen till his flock is formed. Then he goes out toward the fields with the sheep following him.



John 10:5-6
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." [6] Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
5-6. If a stranger enters the pen, the sheep run away from him because his voice is not familiar. The point of this figure of speech consists in how a shepherd forms his flock. People come to God because He calls them (cf. vv. 16, 27; Rom. 8:28, 30). Their proper response to His call is to follow Him (cf. John 1:43; 8:12; 12:26; 21:19, 22). But this spiritual lesson was missed by those who heard Jesus, even though they certainly understood the local shepherd/sheep relationship. In their blindness, they could not see Jesus as the Lord who is the Shepherd (cf. Ps. 23).

John 10:16
And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:30
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

John 1:43
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

John 21:19
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

John 21:22
Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."

[miepie]

John 10:7
Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

JFB Commentary:
7-14. I am the door of the sheep—that is, the way in to the fold, with all blessed privileges, both for shepherds and sheep (compare John 14:6; Ephes. 2:18).

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Ephes. 2:18
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:7-9. Jesus then developed the shepherd/sheep figure of speech in another way. After a shepherd’s flock has been separated from the other sheep, he takes them to pasture. Near the pasture is an enclosure for the sheep. The shepherd takes his place in the doorway or entrance and functions as a door or gate. The sheep can go out to the pasture in front of the enclosure, or if afraid, they can retreat into the security of the enclosure. The spiritual meaning is that Jesus is the only Gate by which people can enter into God’s provision for them.
When Jesus said, All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, He referred to those leaders of the nation who cared not for the spiritual good of the people but only for themselves. Jesus the Shepherd provides security for His flock from enemies (whoever enters through Me will be saved, or “kept safe”). He also provides for their daily needs (the sheep come in and go out, and find pasture).



John 10:8
All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

JFB Commentary:
8. All that ever came before me—the false prophets; not as claiming the prerogatives of Messiah, but as perverters of the people from the way of life, all pointing to Him [OLSHAUSEN].
the sheep did not hear them—the instinct of their divinely taught hearts preserving them from seducers, and attaching them to the heaven-sent prophets, of whom it is said that "the Spirit of Christ was in them" (1 Peter 1:11).

1 Peter 1:11
searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.



John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

JFB Commentary:
9. by me if any man enter in—whether shepherd or sheep.
shall be saved—the great object of the pastoral office, as of all the divine arrangements towards mankind.
and shall go in and out and find pasture—in, as to a place of safety and repose; out, as to "green pastures and still waters" (Psalm 23:2) for nourishment and refreshing, and all this only transferred to another clime, and enjoyed in another manner, at the close of this earthly scene (Rev. 7:17).

Psalm 23:2
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

Rev. 7:17
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."



John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

JFB Commentary:
10. I am come that they might have life, and . . . more abundantly—not merely to preserve but impart LIFE, and communicate it in rich and unfailing exuberance. What a claim! Yet it is only an echo of all His teaching; and He who uttered these and like words must be either a blasphemer, all worthy of the death He died, or "God with us"—there can be no middle course.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:10. The thief, that is, a false shepherd, cares only about feeding himself, not building up the flock. He steals sheep in order to kill them, thus destroying part of the flock. But Christ has come to benefit the sheep. He gives life which is not constricted but overflowing. The thief takes life; Christ gives it to the full.

[Momof5]

This is wonderful, Mieke! I love your commentary. I know things are hard and I keep being inspired by the life lessons you share with us. :hug:

[Momof5]

Are we ready to move on to a few more verses? :)

NKJ John 10

11) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

12) But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

13) the hireling flees because he is a hireling, and does not care about the sheep.

14) I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

[Debra R]

Thank you Mieke for the commentaries http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif.
But most of all, thank you for your commentary! http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif


My commentary:
The last few weeks have been really hard for me. Due to my physical circumstances I have trouble accepting life the way it is right now, not being able to do physically what used to be so normal. I pray a lot about it, and somehow I feel that today God offered me a solution. Instead of trying to deal with the whole thing at once, He told me to take it a little piece at the time and make it into easier parts to deal with. It is almost like these two verses of John say what He told me. It felt like I drifted away from the flock, worrying about worldly things, and Yah Shua went into the field to show me the way back. He showed me that my cross is heavy, but that He helps me to carry it. I went astray, but I recognized the voice of my Shepherd when He came to call me back where I belong. Psalm 23 is a very comforting psalm to me. It has made clear today what really is important, like it did before, so many times. Also, a lot of people are afraid that they will believe in the AntiChrist when he is reigning on the earth. But Yah Shua said here:
John 10:27-30
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. [28] And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. [30] I and My Father are one."
So we have nothing left to fear.


I pray a lot about it, and somehow I feel that today God offered me a solution. Instead of trying to deal with the whole thing at once, He told me to take it a little piece at the time and make it into easier parts to deal with.


That is what is the hardest for me. Taking a little piece at a time, one day at a time. With Nathaniel that is how we have been having to deal with it. One step at a time. One hurdle at a time.

When you try to deal with everything at once it is too much. It feels to overwhelming. But just getting through one step at a time, one hurdle at a time, just one piece at a time, now that is much easier. And knowing that our God is with us, that He knows the outcome and that we can trust Him. That is what makes it easier.


Also, a lot of people are afraid that they will believe in the AntiChrist when he is reigning on the earth. But Yah Shua said here:
John 10:27-30
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. [28] And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. [30] I and My Father are one."
So we have nothing left to fear.


You are right, there is nothing that we need to fear. Even death. For then we will be with our Lord Jesus.

And our God will not let us be deceived by the antichrist, or by anyone. Because we have the Holy Spirit abiding with us who is the Spirit of truth, who teaches us all truth, He lets us know who speaks from God and who does not. He will not let us be deceived.

Thank you Mieke, love you. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[Debra R]

John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.





This verse reminded me of this in the Psalms....


(NASB) Psalm 121:5) The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

6) The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7) The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.

8) The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.

I love that verse. What a wonderful promise! http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Debra R]

Thank you, Brenda, http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif



Momof5]Are we ready to move on to a few more verses? http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif


NKJ John 10

11) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.


And that is what the Lord Jesus did. He gave His own lifes blood for us. I am still amazed, in awe at times that Jesus loves us that much. Many times I have wondered how could He love me. When I think of all the messes I made in my life. I am surely not worthy to be loved that much.

But Jesus counted us worthy. We are worthy to Him. We are worth dying for. Still hard to grasp it. But it is true.

That is so awesome and makes me want to cry. That the Lord Jesus loves us so much.


Thank you Brenda and Mieke, love you. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[miepie]

Thank you, Brenda, http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif






And that is what the Lord Jesus did. He gave His own lifes blood for us. I am still amazed, in awe at times that Jesus loves us that much. Many times I have wondered how could He love me. When I think of all the messes I made in my life. I am surely not worthy to be loved that much.

But Jesus counted us worthy. We are worthy to Him. We are worth dying for. Still hard to grasp it. But it is true.

That is so awesome and makes me want to cry. That the Lord Jesus loves us so much.


Thank you Brenda and Mieke, love you. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif




Yes, you are right my sister. That is awesome..... I mean.... I know I would die for the ones I love, but can you imagine for dying for the people that reject you, and don't believe you exist? Because that is what He did too. He died for all of us, even for the ones that don't acknowledge Him..... that's even more amazing to me..... He even died for the ones that hated Him and led Him to the Cross......
The thing that always amazes me too is that He asked forgiveness from His Father when they crucified Him. I have been struggling with hate against my exhusband that abused me, and people that treated me bad and it took me a long time to get over that and to forgive each and everyone of them. But He just instantly forgave the soldiers that drove the nails into Him..... just the thought of that brings tears to my eyes..... it's such an expression of His Love for us..... :pray:

Love you too sis :kiss:

[miepie]

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

JFB Commentary:
11. I am the good shepherd—emphatically, and, in the sense intended,
exclusively so (Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 37:24; Zech. 13:7).
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep—Though this may be said of literal shepherds, who, even for their brute flock, have, like David, encountered "the lion and the bear" at the risk of their own lives, and still
more of faithful pastors who, like the early bishops of Rome, have been the foremost to brave the fury of their enemies against the flock committed to their care; yet here, beyond doubt, it points to the struggle which was to issue in the willing surrender of the Redeemer's own life, to save His sheep from destruction.

Isaiah 40:11
He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.

Ezekiel 34:23
I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them--My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.

Ezekiel 37:24
"David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one
shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.

Zech. 13:7
"Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,
Against the Man who is My Companion,"
Says the Lord of hosts.
"Strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered;
Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:11. Jesus then developed the sheep/shepherd figure in a third way. When evening settled over the land of Palestine, danger lurked. In Bible times lions, wolves, jackals, panthers, leopards, bears, and hyenas were common in the countryside. The life of a shepherd could be dangerous as illustrated by David’s fights with at least one lion and one bear (1 Sam. 17:34-35, 37).

Jacob also experienced the labor and toil of being a faithful shepherd (Gen. 31:38-40). Jesus said, I am the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:14). In the Old Testament, God is called the Shepherd of His people (Pss. 23:1; 80:1-2; Ecc. 12:11; Isa. 40:11; Jer. 31:10). Jesus is this to His people, and He came to give His life for their benefit (cf. John 10:14, 17-18; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 5:2,

25; Heb. 9:14). He is also the “Great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20-21) and “the
Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4).

1 Samuel 17:34-35
But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, [35] I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.

1 Samuel 17:37
Moreover David said, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this
Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"

Genesis 31:38-40
These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. [39] That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. [40] There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.

Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

Psalm 80:1-2
To the Chief Musician. Set to 'The Lilies.' A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
[2] Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
Stir up Your strength,
And come and save us!

Eccles. 12:11
The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like
well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.

1 Peter 5:4
and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

John 10:17-18
Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. [18] No one takes 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 command I have received from My Father."

Galatians 1:4
who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Ephes. 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephes. 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Hebrews 9:14
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, [21] make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.



John 10:12-13
But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. [13] The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

JFB Commentary:
12. an hireling . . . whose own the sheep are not—who has no property, in them. By this He points to His own peculiar relation to the sheep, the same as His Father's, the great Proprietor and Lord of the flock, who styles Him "My Shepherd, the Man that is My Fellow" (Zech. 13:7), and though faithful under-shepherds are so in their Master's interest, that they feel a measure of His own concern for their charge, the language is strictly applicable only to "the Son over His own house" (Hebrews 3:6).
seeth the wolf coming—not the devil distinctively, as some take it [STIER,

ALFORD, &c.], but generally whoever comes upon the flock with hostile intent, in whatever form: though the wicked one, no doubt, is at the bottom of such movements [LUTHARDT].

Hebrews 3:6
but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold
fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:12-13. In contrast with the Good Shepherd, who owns, cares, feeds,
protects, and dies for His sheep, the one who works for wages—the hired
hand—does not have the same commitment. He is interested in making money and in self-preservation. If a wolf attacks (harpazei, lit., “snatches away”; cf. this same verb in v. 28), he runs away and his selfishness causes the flock to be scattered. Obviously he cares nothing for the sheep. Israel had many false prophets, selfish kings, and imitation messiahs. The flock of God suffered constantly from their abuse



John 10:14
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

JFB Commentary:
14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep—in the peculiar sense of 2 Tim. 2:19. am known of mine—the soul's response to the voice that has inwardly and efficaciously called it; for of this mutual loving acquaintance ours is the effect of His. "The Redeemer's knowledge of us is the active element, penetrating us with His power and life; that of believers is the passive principle, the reception of His life and light. In this reception, however, an assimilation of the soul to the sublime object of its knowledge and love takes place; and thus an activity, though a derived one, is unfolded, which shows itself in obedience to His commands" [OLSHAUSEN]. From this mutual knowledge Jesus rises to another and loftier reciprocity of knowledge.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:14-15. In contrast with a hired workman, the Good Shepherd has an intimacy with and personal interest in the sheep (cf. vv. 3, 27). I know My sheep stresses His ownership and watchful oversight

John 10:3
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.


My commentary:
Even though in my country there are not many shepherds anymore, I still love the comparison of our Lord with the good Shepherd. Sheep are unable to defend themselves against the enemy, the wolf and thieves, and they need a shepherd to make it through the day and night. If you compare us to the sheep, we are lost without our Shepherd too. We have no chance if we don't stay close to Him, we get lost in this world and have no place in Heaven either. The same thing with sheep is that if one sheep decides to do something on his own, sometimes other sheep will follow that one. We are easily led astray. When someone in our community stands up and says something we like, we easily are tempted to follow that leader instead of staying with our Shepherd. But we do expect the Shepherd to come and find us when we realize that we did something wrong and are hurt and wounded. We cry out to Him to get us back in the safety of His Presence. And instead of being mad we wandered away, He gets us back with love and forgiveness. Some sheep keep on drifiting away from the herd. They refuse to follow the Shepherd and although it looks from the outside that they are doing well, they are lost without His Guidance, even though they don't realize that. I can imagine how joyful it must be for our Shepherd to find that one of these lost sheep returns to the herd. We must learn to stay close to Him. He has the overview about everything happening around us and He knows where our path leads us before we do. If we trust in HIm we will be safe. That does not mean it will be easy, but at least we know that He is always there beside us. :)

[Debra R]

So wonderful Mieke http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif


Thank you dear sister http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[Debra R]

http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif A few more verses.....


I was reading the next verses 15-18 in the NKJ and in the NAS and as I was pondering the verses I saw something I hadn't seen before in the NAS so I thought I would post both translations and I need to add verse 14 again.

(NKJ) John 10:14) I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

15) As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

17) "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

18) No one takes 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 command I have received from My Father."

(NASB) John 10:14) "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

15) even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.


As I kept reading these two verses over it seemed to me that Jesus was making the comparison that just as He knows the Father and the Father knows Him that in the same way He knows His sheep and they know Him.

I know that Jesus knows us intimately, He knows our every thought, He knows our heart, He knows us even better than we know ourselves.

But to be able to know Him that intimately, isn't that awesome? I mean, we do know Him intimately but to be able know Him even more intimately. To be one with Him as He is one with the Father. (Which He did pray that for us in the 17th chapter of the book of John.) To be so close to Him that His thoughts are more ours than our own thoughts. And to hear His voice more clearly, without ours getting in the way. Just a few thoughts this morning. http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

16) "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

17) "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.

18) "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again This commandment I received from My Father."

Have a blessed day in Christ's love, http://www.bibleforums.org/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif
Debra

[Momof5]

Hi Debra and Mieke! Love you, my sisters. :hug: :hug:

I just want to comment on one verse here.

16) "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

Jesus was talking to the Jewish leaders here. How wonderful that He brought those of us who are not Jews into the fold and became our Shepherd!

[Debra R]

Hi Debra and Mieke! Love you, my sisters. :hug: :hug:

I just want to comment on one verse here.

16) "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

Jesus was talking to the Jewish leaders here. How wonderful that He brought those of us who are not Jews into the fold and became our Shepherd!


Love you Brenda, :hug:


It is wonderful that Jesus brought us into the fold! That He knew and loved us before we were even born.

I like this Scripture in Ezekiel that I will post. Sometimes I have such sorrow for the lost. One day I was reading that passage and it made me feel better seeing that the Lord Himself will search out His sheep and bring them into the fold. That gave me great comfort especially because I was worrying over my loved ones knowing the Lord. The Lord God says He will seek them out. And He will.

(NASB) Ezekiel 34:11) For thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

15) "I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord GOD.

16) "I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy I will feed them with judgment.

[Debra R]

:) A few more verses.....
(NASB) John 10:

19) A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.

20) Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?"

21) Others were saying, "These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?"

[Momof5]

19) A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.

20) Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?"

21) Others were saying, "These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?"

Whenever the Jewish leaders could not explain away the miracles, they said Jesus was demon-possessed. Again, they were divided. Jesus had just told them He is the Good Shepherd and His sheep hear His voice. They obviously were sheep that did not hear His voice.

[Momof5]

I am going to move on and add a few more verses. :)

NKJ John 10

22) Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

23) And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

24) Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

25) Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.

26) But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

[Momof5]

NKJ John 10

22) Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

The Feast of Dedication took place eight days in December. It is now known as the Feast of Lights or Hanukkah.

23) And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

24) Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

25) Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.

Jesus told them that He had said and they didn't believe Him. He told the woman at the well - John 4:25, 26 - The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming, (who is called Christ), When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." He told the man born blind - John 9:35-37 - Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Everything Jesus said and did told that He is Messiah. John 20:31 - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

26) But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

Jesus told the Jewish leaders during the Fest of Tabernacles that they were not His sheep. John 10: 14-15 - I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 8:42-44 - Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand my speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

[miepie]

I have not being too well the last few days..... I will try to do some study tonight or tomorrow....... it's one of the things that makes me very happy to do with such beautiful sisters... :hug:

[miepie]

John 10:15
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

JFB Commentary:
15-18. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father—What claim to absolute equality with the Father could exceed this? (See on Matthew 11:27). and I lay down my life for the sheep—How sublime this, immediately following the lofty claim of the preceding clause! It is the riches and the poverty of "the Word made flesh"—one glorious Person reaching at once up to the Throne and down even to the dust of death, "that we might live through Him." A candid interpretation of the words, "for the sheep," ought to go far to establish the special relation of the vicarious death of Christ to the Church.

Matthew 11:27
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
Some shepherds have willingly died while protecting their sheep from danger. Jesus willingly gave His life for His sheep (vv. 11, 15, 17-18)—on their behalf as their Substitute (Rom. 5:8, 10; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18). His death gives them life.

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

2 Cor. 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,



John 10:16
And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

JFB Commentary:
16. other sheep I have . . . not of this fold: them also I must bring—He means the perishing Gentiles, already His "sheep" in the love of His heart and the purpose of His grace to "bring them" in due time.
they shall hear my voice—This is not the language of mere foresight that they would believe, but the expression of a purpose to draw them to Himself by an inward and efficacious call, which would infallibly issue in their spontaneous accession to Him.
and there shall be one fold—rather "one flock" (for the word for "fold," as in the foregoing verses, is quite different).

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:16. The other sheep not of this flock refers to Gentiles who would believe. His coming death would bring them also to the Father. They too will listen to My voice. Jesus continues to save people as they hear His voice in the Scriptures. Acts 18:9-11 illustrates how this works out in the history of the church. “I have many people in this city” (i.e., Corinth), the Lord told Paul. One flock and one Shepherd speaks of the church with believers from Jewish and Gentile “sheep pens” in one body with Christ as Head (cf.3:6).

Acts 18:9-11
Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." [11] And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Ephes. 3:6
that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,



John 10:17
Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

JFB Commentary:
17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, &c.—As the highest act of the Son's love to the Father was the laying down of His life for the sheep at His "commandment," so the Father's love to Him as His incarnate Son reaches its consummation, and finds its highest justification, in that sublimest and most affecting of all acts.
that I might take it again—His resurrection-life being indispensable to the accomplishment of the fruit of His death.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:17-18. Again Jesus predicted His death, saying four times that He would voluntarily lay down His life (vv. 11, 14, 17-18). The Father has a special love for Jesus because of His sacrificial obedience to the will of God. Jesus predicted His resurrection twice (He would take up His life again [vv. 17-18]) and His sovereignty (authority) over His own destiny. His death was wholly voluntary: No one takes it from Me. Jesus was not a helpless pawn on history’s chessboard.



John 10:18
No one takes 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 command I have received from My Father."

JFB Commentary:
18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down myself: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again—It is impossible for language more plainly and emphatically to express the absolute voluntariness of Christ's death, such a voluntariness as it would be manifest presumption in any mere creature to affirm of his own death. It is beyond all doubt the language of One who was conscious that His life was His own (which no creature's is), and therefore His to surrender or retain at will. Here lay the glory of His sacrifice, that it was purely voluntary. The claim of "power to take it again" is no less important, as showing that His resurrection, though ascribed to the Father, in the sense we shall presently see, was nevertheless His own assertion of His own right to life as soon as the purposes of His voluntary death were accomplished.
This commandment—to "lay down His—life, that He might take it again."
have I received of my Father—So that Christ died at once by "command" of His Father, and by such a voluntary obedience to that command as has made Him (so to speak) infinitely dear to the Father. The necessity of Christ's death, in the light of these profound sayings, must be manifest to all but the superficial student.


My Commentary:
I have a t-shirt with the text of John 10:17. I think it is one of the most wonderful sayings of Jesus. To think that He would voluntarily lay down His life to save mine is an act so full of love and dedication. I can only pray that I have a little of that love and dedication.

[miepie]

John 10:19-21
Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. [20] And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?" [21] Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

JFB Commentary:
19-21. There was a division . . . again among the Jews for these sayings—the light and the darkness revealing themselves with increasing clearness in the separation of the teachable from the obstinately prejudiced. The one saw in Him only "a devil and a madman"; the other revolted at the thought that such words could come from one possessed, and sight be given to the blind by a demoniac; showing clearly that a deeper impression had been made upon them than their words expressed.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:19-21. For the third time Jesus’ teaching divided the people (cf. 7:43; 9:16). Many in this hostile crowd judged Him to be demon-possessed and raving mad (cf. 7:20; 8:48, 52). But others figured that He was not demon-possessed, for how could a demon open the eyes of the blind? (cf. 9:16)

John 7:43
So there was a division among the people because of Him.

John 9:16
Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.

John 7:20
The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?"

John 8:48
Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"

John 8:52
Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.'

John 9:16
Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.


My commentary:
Sometimes I think about how it would have been to be alive in the days that Jesus walked on the earth. I would like to think that I would follow Him, lay at His Feet to listen to every single word He would say, and pray for Him when He was taken away to be crucified. It all seems strange to me to imagine, not to follow Him, but to say that He has a demon inside Him. But that's from our perspective, from the way we can look at it all now. The Jews did not have that view. They were living in a time where probably more people would say that they were God and when Jesus said the same they probably thought of Him of yet another one coming to destroy their peace. If you realize that, it is easier to understand this text. Although I would have loved to walk with Jesus in those days, I am also glad that I do have the view I have right now and know for sure that He is the Way, the truth and the Life for me.

[miepie]

John 10:22
Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

JFB Commentary:
22, 23. it was . . . the feast of the dedication—celebrated rather more than two months after the feast of tabernacles, during which intermediate period our Lord seems to have remained in the neighborhood of Jerusalem. It was instituted by Jude Maccabeus, to commemorate the purification of the temple from the profanations to which it had been subjected by Antiochus Epiphanes 165 B.C., and kept for eight days, from the twenty-fifth Chisleu (December), the day on which Judas began the first joyous celebration of it.
it was winter—implying some inclemency. Therefore,

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:22-23. The Feast of Dedication is nowadays called Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights. It commemorates the reconsecration of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C. after its desecration in 168 B.C. by Antiochus IV (Epiphanes). The time for the eight-day feast was in December. It was winter. The feast reminded the Jewish people of their last great deliverance from their enemies. Solomon’s Colonnade was a long covered walkway on the east side of the temple. Two months had elapsed since Jesus’ last confrontation with the Jews (7:1-10:21) at the Feast of Tabernacles, which was in October. Jesus again returned to the temple area.



John 10:23
And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

JFB Commentary:
23. Jesus walked . . . in Solomon's porch—for shelter. This portico was on the east side of the temple, and JOSEPHUS says it was part of the original structure of Solomon



John 10:24
Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

JFB Commentary:
24. Then came the Jews—the rulers. (See on John 1:19).
How long dost thou make us to doubt?—"hold us in suspense" (Margin).
If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly—But when the plainest evidence of it was resisted, what weight could a mere assertion of it have?

John 1:19
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:24. The Jews gathered around Him. Actually they “closed in on Him.” The hostile Jerusalem leaders were determined to pin Him down so they surrounded Him. His enigmatic sayings plagued them, and they wanted Him to declare Himself on their terms. How long will You keep us in suspense? they asked. “Keep us in suspense” is literally “hold up our soul.” They insisted, If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.



John 10:25
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.

JFB Commentary:
25, 26. Jesus answered them, I told you—that is, in substance, what I am (for example John 7:37-38; John 8:12, 35-36, 58).

John 7:37-38
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. [38] He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:35-36
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. [36] Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 8:58
Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:25-26. Jesus responded that the miracles (lit., “works”; cf. vv. 32, 38) He had done are clear evidence that He is from the Father (cf. Isa. 35:3-6; John 3:2; 9:32-33). He is the One the Father sent, but He did not match their expectations. He was no Judas Maccabeus nor would His ministry be like Moses’. Their problem was a lack of spiritual perception and faith. But you do not believe because you are not My sheep is a simple statement of fact about their conduct. It also reminds one of the ultimate mystery of God’s election (cf. 6:37).

John 10:32
Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?"

John 10:38
but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."

Isaiah 35:3-6
Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
[4] Say to those who are fearful-hearted,

"Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you."

[5] Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
[6] Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.

John 3:2
This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

John 9:32-33
Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. [33] If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."

John 6:37
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.


John 10:26
But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

JFB Commentary:
26. ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said—referring to the whole strain of the Parable of the Sheep, (John 10:1, &c.).

John 10:1
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

[Momof5]

I am bumping this so we don't forget about our study. :) I have some catching up to do and will post in the next couple days. :hug:

[Momof5]

Finally, I am going to post the next verses. I have a million things to do in the house, but that "protective" layer of dust can wait! :lol:

NKJ John 10

27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

We hear Jesus' voice. He knows us (He calls us by name!) and we follow Him. I have been thinking on this verse for a couple weeks and yesterday I was posting in another thread and got a clearer understanding of it. Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Luke 6:46 - "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? John 6: 39, 40 - This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise Him up at the last day. When I placed my trust and belief in Jesus, I became one of His sheep. When He calls my name and has something for me to do, I am to follow Him - to do what He says! If I do what He says, that is doing the will of the Father!

28) And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

These are my comfort verses - to know I am in God's hand and no one can take me away!

30) I and My Father are one.

Jesus is God! John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

I could probably continue longer on this post but we are in a thunderstorm and I need to get off the computer!

:hug: :hug:

[Debra R]

Thank you Brenda and Mieke!! http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/kiss.gif http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

I am sorry I have been away from our study for so long. http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/cry.gif

I'll post the next verses. http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

(NASB) John 10:

31)The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.

32)Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?"

33)The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God."

34)Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS'?

35)"If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

36)do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

37)"If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

38)but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father."

39)Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.



I looked up a few commentaries on these verses and decided on this one.....

David Guzik's commentaries

(30-33) Jesus declares His unity with the Father.



"I and My Father are one." Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."

a. I and My Father are one: This is an important statement regarding the deity of Jesus and the nature of the godhead. I and My Father refutes the "Jesus Only" doctrine (anciently known as Sabelianism). Are one refutes the teaching that Jesus isn't God (anciently known as Arianism).



i. Opponents of the deity of Jesus say that the oneness Jesus had with the Father was only a unity of purpose and mission - even as a husband and wife or father and son may have a unity of purpose of mission, and still they are not the same person. This, however, misses the point.

First, we never argue that the Bible teaches that the Father and the Son are the same Person - they are one God, but distinct in Person.

Second, it misses the most obvious point: that even true unity of purpose and mission between a husband and wife or father and son exist only because they are each equally and totally human. You can't really speak of even a unity of purpose and mission between a human and a dog; isn't the distance between God and man even greater? Even if the unity described by Jesus was merely a unity of purpose and mission (and it is more than that), even that would only be possible if the Father and Son were equally and totally God.

b. The Jews took up stones again to stone Him: Some would lessen the power of I and the Father are oneby saying it only refers to a unity of purpose and will. But how could a statement like that be considered blasphemy by the Jews who heard Jesus say these words?

i. The Jews of Jesus' day see clearly what the Jehovah's Witnesses and others seem to miss: that Jesus clearly claimed to be God (because You, being a Man, make Yourself God).

c. Jesus wanted us to be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:11, 17:21). Such oneness cannot exist without an equality of essence, and all believers have this equality (Galatians 3:26-28), even as the Father and Son have this equality.



4. (34-39) Jesus reasons with them on the basis of Scripture (quoting from Psalm 82) and His works.



Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

a. Is it not written in your law, "I said, 'You are gods'": The judges of Psalm 82 were called "gods" because in their office they determined the fate of other men. Also, in Exodus 21:6 and 22:8-9, God calls earthly judges "gods."

b. If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came: Jesus is saying "If God gives these unjust judges the title 'gods' because of their office, why do you consider it blasphemy that I call Myself the 'Son of God' in light of the testimony of Me and My works?"

i. Jesus is not taking the statement "you are gods" in Psalm 82 and applying it to all humanity, or to all believers. The use of gods in Psalm 82 was a metaphor - and Jesus is exposing both the ignorance and inconsistency of His accusers here.


God bless
Love you my sisters http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[miepie]

If my body allows it, I will try to post some commentaries here tonight or tomorrow... :hug:

[Debra R]

If my body allows it, I will try to post some commentaries here tonight or tomorrow... :hug:

Okay sis, love you. :kiss: :hug:

[Momof5]

Good morning my sisters! :hug:

37)"If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

38)but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father."

The whole thing here is belief. Without believing, we cannot be born-again. From the time I was a young child, I was taught the Truth. I did not really believe until I was 40 years old....that was when I was born again!

[Debra R]

Good morning my sisters! http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

37)"If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;


38)but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father."

The whole thing here is belief. Without believing, we cannot be born-again. From the time I was a young child, I was taught the Truth. I did not really believe until I was 40 years old....that was when I was born again!

Hi Sis http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif,

I like too that we can know and understand who Jesus is, who the Father is.
And it does begin when we believe Jesus came to earth, died for our sin, was raised from the dead. Then He gives us new life. Then we can say God is our Father. God my Father. How wonderful to be able to call God, our Father.

Love you, my sisters. http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

[Debra R]

I thought I would post the last verses http://bibleforums.net/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

(NKJ) John 10: 40) And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed.

41) Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true."

42) And many believed in Him there.


And so did we find out that all that we had heard about this Man Jesus was true, is true. Glory be to our Lord God!

[Momof5]

41) Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true

John 1: 29-34 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

John 3: 28-36 - You yourselves bear me witness that I said, "I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

When they remembered what John the Baptist said about Jesus, they believed in Him.

Debra: And so did we find out that all that we had heard about this Man Jesus was true, is true. Glory be to our Lord God!

Amen!!!

[miepie]

John 10:27-30
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

JFB Commentary:
27-30. My sheep hear my voice, &c.—(See on John 10:8).

John 10:8
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

All that ever came before me—the false prophets; not as claiming the prerogatives of Messiah, but as perverters of the people from the way of life, all pointing to Him [OLSHAUSEN].
the sheep did not hear them—the instinct of their divinely taught hearts preserving them from seducers, and attaching them to the heaven-sent prophets, of whom it is said that "the Spirit of Christ was in them" (1 Peter 1:11).

[b]1 Peter 1:11[/b]
searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

[b]Bible Knowledge Commentary:[/b]
10:27. Jesus’ flock is responsive to His teaching. They listen to His voice (vv. 3-5, 16). They have an intimacy with Jesus (I know them; cf. vv. 3, 14), they understand His message of salvation, and they follow Him (vv. 4-5). To follow Him means to obey the Father’s will as Jesus did.

[b]John 10:3-5[/b]
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

[b]John 10:16[/b]
and other sheep I have that are not of this fold, these also it behoveth me to bring, and my voice they will hear, and there shall become one flock—one shepherd.

[b]John 10:14[/b]
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.



[color=red][b]John 10:28[/color][/b]
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

JFB Commentary:
28. I give unto them eternal life—not "will give them"; for it is a present gift. (See on John 3:36; John 5:24). It is a very grand utterance, couched in the language of majestic authority.

[b]John 3:36 [/b]
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

[b]John 5:24 [/b]
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

[b]Bible Knowledge Commentary:[/b]
10:28. This is one of the clearest statements in the Bible that one who believes in Jesus for salvation will never be lost. Believers sin and stumble, but Jesus as the perfect Shepherd loses none of His flock (cf. Luke 22:31-32). Eternal life is a gift (John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:10; Rom. 6:23). If one has it, he has it eternally. They shall never perish is a strong affirmation in the Greek: ou me¯ apolo¯ntai eis ton aio¯na (“they will indeed not ever perish”; cf. John 3:16, me¯ apole¯tai, “never perish”). The security of the sheep is found in the ability of the Shepherd to defend and preserve His flock. Such security does not depend on the ability of the frail sheep. No one can even snatch His sheep out of His hand. “Snatch” is harpasei, related to harpax (“ravenous wolves, robbers”). This is a fitting word here for the same verb (harpazei) is used in 10:12, “the wolf attacks” (lit., “snatches away”).?

[b]Luke 22:31-32[/b]
And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

[b]John 3:16[/b]
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

[b]John 3:36[/b]
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

[b]John 5:24[/b]
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

[b]John 10:10[/b]
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

[b]Romans 6:23[/b]
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[b]John 10:12[/b]
But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.



[color=red][b]John 10:29[/color][/b]
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

JFB Commentary:
29. My Father, which gave them me—(See on John 6:37-39).
is greater than all—with whom no adverse power can contend. It is a general expression of an admitted truth, and what follows shows for what purpose it was uttered, "and none is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." The impossibility of true believers being lost, in the midst of all the temptations which they may encounter, does not consist in their fidelity and decision, but is founded upon the power of God. Here the doctrine of predestination is presented in its sublime and sacred aspect; there is a predestination of the holy, which is taught from one end of the Scriptures to the other; not, indeed, of such a nature that an "irresistible grace" compels the opposing will of man (of course not), but so that that will of man which receives and loves the commands of God is produced only by God's grace (OLSHAUSEN—a testimony all the more valuable, being given in spite of Lutheran prejudice).

[b]John 6:37-39[/b]
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. [38] For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. [39] This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

[b]Bible Knowledge Commentary:[/b]
10:29. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. That is, no one is strong enough to snatch any of Jesus’ flock from the Father’s hand (or from Jesus’ hand, v. 28). As the NIV margin states, verse 29a in many early Greek manuscripts reads, “What My Father has given Me is greater than all.” The thought of the verse in either case is that the Father who is omnipotent secures the flock by His power and protection. God’s plan of salvation for Jesus’ flock cannot be aborted.



[color=red][b]John 10:30[/color][/b]
I and My Father are one."

JFB Commentary:
30. I and my Father are one—Our language admits not of the precision of the original in this great saying. "Are" is in the masculine gender—"we (two persons) are"; while "one" is neuter—"one thing." Perhaps "one interest" expresses, as nearly as may be, the purport of the saying. There seemed to be some contradiction between His saying they had been given by His Father into His own hands, out of which they could not be plucked, and then saying that none could pluck them out of His Father's hands, as if they had not been given out of them. "Neither have they," says He; "though He has given them to Me, they are as much in His own almighty hands as ever—they cannot be, and when given to Me they are not, given away from Himself; for HE AND I HAVE ALL IN COMMON." Thus it will be seen, that, though oneness of essence is not the precise thing here affirmed, that truth is the basis of what is affirmed, without which it would not be true. And AUGUSTINE was right in saying the "We are" condemns the Sabellians (who denied the distinction of Persons in the Godhead), while the "one" (as explained) condemns the Arians (who denied the unity of their essence).

[b]Bible Knowledge Commentary:[/b]
10:30. When Jesus said, I and the Father are One, He was not affirming that He and the Father are the same Person. The Son and the Father are two Persons in the Trinity. This is confirmed here by the fact that the word “One” is neuter. Instead, He was saying They have the closest possible unity of purpose. Jesus’ will is identical to the Father’s regarding the salvation of His sheep. And yet absolute identity of wills involves identity of nature. Jesus and the Father are One in will (and also in nature for both are God; cf. 20:28; Phil. 2:6; Col. 2:9).

[b]John 20:28[/b]
And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

[b]Philip. 2:6[/b]
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

[b]Col. 2:9 [/b]
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

[Momof5]

Are we ready to move to Chapter 11? It took us approx. a year to get thru Ch. 10. :)

:hug: :hug:

[Debra R]

Are we ready to move to Chapter 11? It took us approx. a year to get thru Ch. 10. :)

:hug: :hug:

:o Wow, it took us that long? Oh my!

Things are a little more calm for the present, so I think I'm ready for chapter 11. :) Who wants to start it? :D

[miepie]

I am still working on the last verses...... when these antibiotics I am taking make me feel a little better, I will post them.

Anyone of you two can post the ones of John 11...... I'll catch up when I can.....

Love you very much my dear sisters..... it's been a fruitful year.... :kiss:

[Momof5]

It took us approx. a year to get thru Ch. 10.

I did a search to see when Chapter 1 began - June 2004 - it didn't seem that long. :)

Debra, Mieke, I have been so blessed studying with you! :hug: :hug: I will start Chapter 11 (hopefully today :lol: ).

[miepie]

John 10:31
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.

JFB Commentary:
31. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him—and for precisely the same thing as before (John 8:58-59).

John 8:58-59
Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." [59] Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:31-32. The hostile crowd reacted and attempted to stone Jesus (cf. 8:59) because they understood the implications of His claim. Jesus’ courage was displayed in His calm question: Which of His many great miracles (lit., “works”; cf. 10:25, 38) from the Father was their reason for wanting to stone Him?

John 10:25
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.




John 10:32
Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?"

JFB Commentary:
32. Many good works have I showed you—that is, works of pure benevolence (as in Acts 10:38, "Who went about doing good," &c.; see Mark 7:37).
from my Father—not so much by His power, but as directly commissioned by Him to do them. This He says to meet the imputation of unwarrantable assumption of the divine prerogatives [LUTHARDT].
for which of those works do ye stone me?—"are ye stoning (that is, going to stone) me?"

[b]Acts 10:38[/b]
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

[b]Mark 7:37[/b]
And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."




[color=red][b]John 10:33[/color][/b]
The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."

JFB Commentary:
33. for a blasphemy—whose legal punishment was stoning.
thou, being a man—that is, a man only.
makest thyself God—Twice before they understood Him to advance the same claim, and both times they prepared themselves to avenge what they took to be the insulted honor of God, as here, in the way directed by their law (John 5:18).

[b]John 5:18[/b]
Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:33. They claimed that they found no objection in His works. (Yet His healings on the Sabbath had angered them [5:18; 9:16].) They said they objected because He, a mere man, claimed to be God. This, they said, was blasphemy. And yet, ironically, Jesus, who is God, did become Man (1:1, 14, 18). Jesus did not walk around Palestine saying “I am God,” but His interpretation of the Sabbath and His words about His union with the Father revealed His claim of oneness in nature with God.

[b]John 5:18[/b]
Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

[b]John 9:16[/b]
Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.

[b]John 1:1[/b]
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[b]John 1:14[/b]
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

[b]John 1:18[/b]
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.




[color=red][b]John 10:34[/color][/b]
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods" '?

JFB Commentary:
34-36. Is it not written in your law—in Psalm 82:6, respecting judges or magistrates.
Ye are gods—being the official representatives and commissioned agents of God.

[b]Psalm 82:6[/b]
I said, "You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:34. Jesus’ response to their objection requires a bit of insight into the methods of argument common in Rabbinic discussions. He first directed them to the Old Testament: in your Law. Normally “the Law” refers to the first five books. But here it means all the Old Testament, for Jesus quoted from the Psalms. It was “your” Law in the sense that they gloried in their possession of it, and also in the sense that they should submit to its authority over them. Psalm 82 speaks of God as the true Judge (Ps. 82:1, 8) and of men, appointed as judges, who were failing to provide true judgment for God (Ps. 82:2-7). “Gods” in Psalm 82:1, 6 refers to these human judges. In this sense, God said to the Jews, You are gods. In no way does this speak of a divine nature in man.




[color=red][b]John 10:35[/color][/b]
If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

JFB Commentary:
35, 36. If he called them gods unto whom the word of God came . . . Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest—The whole force of this reasoning, which has been but in part seized by the commentators, lies in what is said of the two parties compared. The comparison of Himself with mere men, divinely commissioned, is intended to show (as NEANDER well expresses it) that the idea of a communication of the Divine Majesty to human nature was by no means foreign to the revelations of the Old Testament; but there is also a contrast between Himself and all merely human representatives of God—the one "sanctified by the Father and sent into the world"; the other, "to whom the word of God (merely) came," which is expressly designed to prevent His being massed up with them as only one of many human officials of God. It is never said of Christ that "the word of the Lord came to Him"; whereas this is the well-known formula by which the divine commission, even to the highest of mere men, is expressed, as John the Baptist (Luke 3:2). The reason is that given by the Baptist himself (see on John 3:31). The contrast is between those "to whom the word of God came"—men of the earth, earthy, who were merely privileged to get a divine message to utter (if prophets), or a divine office to discharge (if judges)—and "Him whom (not being of the earth at all) the Father sanctified (or set apart), and sent into the world," an expression never used of any merely human messenger of God, and used only of Himself.
because, I said, I am the Son of God—It is worthy of special notice that our Lord had not said, in so many words, that He was the Son of God, on this occasion. But He had said what beyond doubt amounted to it—namely, that He gave His sheep eternal life, and none could pluck them out of His hand; that He had got them from His Father, in whose hands, though given to Him, they still remained, and out of whose hand none could pluck them; and that they were the indefeasible property of both, inasmuch as "He and His Father were one." Our Lord considers all this as just saying of Himself, "I am the Son of God"—one nature with Him, yet mysteriously of Him. The parenthesis (John 10:35), "and the Scripture cannot be broken," referring to the terms used of magistrates in the eighty-second Psalm, has an important bearing on the authority of the living oracles. "The Scripture, as the expressed will of the unchangeable God, is itself unchangeable and indissoluble" [OLSHAUSEN]. (Compare Matthew 5:17).

[b]Luke 3:2[/b]
while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

[b]John 3:31[/b]
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

[b]John 10:35[/b]
If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

[b]Matthew 5:17[/b]
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:35. As seen in verse 34, Jesus argued that in certain situations (as in Ps. 82:1, 6) men were called… “gods.” The Hebrew word for God or gods is elohim. This word is used elsewhere (e.g., Ex. 21:6; 22:8) to mean human judges. Jesus added to His argument the words, and the Scripture cannot be broken, so that no one could evade its force by saying an error was in the Scriptures. This important text clearly points up the inerrancy of the Bible.

[b]Exodus 21:6[/b]
then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

[b]Exodus 22:8[/b]
If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbor's goods.




[color=red][b]John 10:36[/color][/b]
do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:36. Jesus now completed His argument. Since the inerrant Bible called their judges “gods,” the Jews could not logically accuse Him of blasphemy for calling Himself God’s Son since He was under divine orders (set apart) and on God’s mission (sent into the world).




[color=red][b]John 10:37-38[/color][/b]
If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; [38] but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."

JFB Commentary:
37-39. though ye believe not me, believe the works—There was in Christ's words, independently of any miracles, a self-evidencing truth, majesty and grace, which those who had any spiritual susceptibility were unable to resist (John 7:46; John 8:30). But, for those who wanted this, "the works" were a mighty help. When these failed, the case was desperate indeed.
that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him—thus reiterating His claim to essential oneness with the Father, which He had only seemed to soften down, that He might calm their rage and get their ear again for a moment

[b]John 7:46[/b]
The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this Man!"

[b]John 8:30[/b]
As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:37-38. Though the Jews were reluctant to believe Jesus’ words, God was giving them miracles (lit., “works”), which he was doing through Jesus. These signs were given for their learning so that by pondering their significance they might recognize Jesus’ oneness with the Father (the Father is in Me, and I in the Father). Nicodemus had recognized this for he said, “No one could perform [those] miraculous signs if God were not with Him” (3:2).

[b]John 3:2[/b]
This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."




[color=red][b]John 10:39[/color][/b]
Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

JFB Commentary:
39. Therefore they sought again to take him—true to their original understanding of His words, for they saw perfectly well that He meant to "make Himself God" throughout all this dialogue.
he escaped out of their hand—(See on Luke 4:30).

[b]Luke 4:30[/b]
Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:39. Again an attempt was made to seize Him, perhaps to bring Him to trial. Once again, since it was not God’s time, He escaped. No explanation is given as to how He escaped.

[b]My Commentary:[/b]
I find these verses hard to read. Chal explained them to me through the New Living Translation, so I thought I would post those verses here too.....

[b]John 10:31-39[/b]
Once again the Jewish leaders picked up stones to kill him. [32] Jesus said, "At my Father's direction I have done many things to help the people. For which one of these good deeds are you killing me?" [33] They replied, "Not for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, have made yourself God." [34] Jesus replied, "It is written in your own law that God said to certain leaders of the people, 'I say, you are gods!' [35] And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people, who received God's message, were called 'gods,' [36] why do you call it blasphemy when the Holy One who was sent into the world by the Father says, 'I am the Son of God'? [37] Don't believe me unless I carry out my Father's work. [38] But if I do his work, believe in what I have done, even if you don't believe me. Then you will realize that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father." [39] Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them.

I find it very amazing to read that Yah Shua has time and time the answers to all the questions of those that refused to believe His Word. Also they try to accuse Him time and time again of anything they can think of. He manages to escape everytime and time again, just because "it was not God's Time yet"..... It is a comforting thought to me to know that we are under the same protection.

[miepie]

John 10:40
And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed.

JFB Commentary:
40-42. went away again beyond Jordan . . . the place where John at first baptized—(See on John 1:28).

John 1:28
These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:
10:40-42. Because of their hostility, Jesus went… across the Jordan to Perea, which had been the location of John the Baptist’s activity (1:28). Jesus’ ministry here was received much more favorably, probably because the Baptist had prepared the people there. John, even though dead, was still having influence in people’s lives as they remembered his witness. Though John never performed a miraculous sign (se¯meion), the people believed his witness about Jesus. By contrast, the hostile Jerusalem crowd had seen His signs and yet disobeyed. In Perea many trusted Jesus as Savior.




John 10:41-42
Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true." [42] And many believed in Him there.

JFB Commentary:
41. many resorted to him—on whom the ministry of the Baptist had left permanent impressions.
John did no miracle, but all things John spake of this man were true—what they now heard and saw in Jesus only confirming in their minds the divinity of His forerunner's mission, though unaccompanied by any of His Master's miracles. And thus, "many believed on Him there."