John 10

      18. I lay it down of myself. His life. He gave himself for man of his free will. He laid it down on the cross; he took it up when he rose from the dead. Abbott says of the lesson in these eighteen verses , "I understand this lesson to be a parable with a double application. First, Christ compares the Pharisees to shepherds, himself to the door, and declares that those only are true shepherds who enter through the door; that is, through Christ and his authority. All others are thieves and robbers. Then he changes the application and declares himself the good shepherd whose praises David and Isaiah sung, and indicates the nature of the service that he will render unto his sheep by giving for them his life."

      22. It was . . . the feast of dedication. Two months after the last incidents, which occurred at and shortly after the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Dedication occurred in December, was not divinely appointed, but was instituted by Judas Maccabæus in B. C. 164, to commemorate the purification of the temple after it had been defiled by the Syrians. Jesus took the occasion to teach the people that came together. There is no proof that he observed it.

      23. Walked . . . in Solomon's porch. A long covered colonnade that was a part of the temple.

      24. The Jews . . . said. The ruling class. They came, not for information, but to secure ground for accusation.

      25. I told you, and ye believed not. See John 5:19 John 8:36 John 5:56 John 5:58 John 9:36 .

      26. Ye believe not, because ye are not my sheep. Not from lack of proof, but from a lack within themselves. If, as his sheep, they would follow (hear and obey), they would recognize him.

      28. I give unto them eternal life. To his sheep. Eternal life means, not eternal existence, but eternal bliss. God hath made the soul deathless, but it may exist in banishment from heaven.

      29. No man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. The sheep who hear his voice and follow him ( verse 27 ). This is the condition of their safety. If they comply with it God's grace will save them from the adversary.

      30, 31. I and my Father are one. Are so united that the Father is pledged to keep the sheep of the Son. These words the Jews held to be blasphemy, and sought to stone him. Compare 8:52 .

      33. For blasphemy. Because he said he and the Father were one.

      34-36. Is it not written in your law. In Psa. 82 . I said, Ye are gods? It was there addressed to judges. Christ's argument is: If your law calls judges gods, why should I be held guilty of blasphemy for saying that I am the Son of God? Sanctified. Set apart.

      39. Therefore they sought again to take him. A few moments before they would have stoned him by mob violence ( verse 31 ), but when they had cooled somewhat they sought to arrest him.

      40. And went away again beyond Jordan. He had been nearly three months in Jerusalem, a very stormy ministry. Twice efforts were made to mob him ( John 8:59 John 10:31 ); twice, to arrest him ( John 7:32 John 7:45 John 10:39 ). His time would not come yet for three months, till the next passover, and he retired from the storm for a season. In the other gospels there are recorded a number of the incidents of his ministry beyond the Jordan.