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For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
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No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."
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Again the Jews were divided because of these words.
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Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?"
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Others were saying, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
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At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,
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and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
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So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."
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Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me;
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but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.
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My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
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I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
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What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand.
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The Father and I are one."
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The Jews took up stones again to stone him.
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Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?"
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The Jews answered, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God."
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Jesus answered, "Is it not written in your law, "I said, you are gods'?
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If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods'—and the scripture cannot be annulled—