John 10:22-42 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

The Feast of the Dedication. Mg., At that time suggests a closer connexion with what precedes than the old reading And. But in any case the notes of time are not precise. The Feast of the Dedication (p. 104) was instituted to commemorate the restoration (p. 607) of the Temple services in 165 by the Maccabees after its desecration for three years by Antiochus Epiphanes (1Ma_4:36-59, 2Ma_10:1-8, Josephus, Ant. XII. vii. 7). It lasted for eight days from December 25, and according to Josephus was called Lights, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us. According to 2Ma_1:9 it was called the Tabernacles of the month Chisleu, many of the customs of Tabernacles being reproduced at it. For the Porch of Solomon, cf. Acts 3:11 *. The Jews, either incited to hope by Jesus-' teaching, or wishing to discredit Him with the crowd, demand a clear pronouncement of His Messianic claims. We naturally compare the reticence on this subject implied in the Synoptic story. He replies that doubt is due only to their unbelief. The works which the Father has enabled Him to do are adequate proof. Their unbelief shows that they are not true followers. His own sheep know and follow, and gain the life which He has to give. And the Father who gave them is greater than all; no one can seize them from Him (John 10:29). The better-attested reading of mg. is more difficult. It seems to refer to the true followers given to the Son, but how can they, even as forming a unity (Westcott), be said to be greater than all? Perhaps it should be explained as carrying on the thought of John 10:25. The power to do the works, given by God to Jesus, is almighty. And it is given, no one can grasp it for himself; cf. Php_2:6. In respect of these works Father and Son are one. The Father works through the Son, the Son only in the Father's power. In the words of John 10:30, as used by Jesus, there is no necessity to see any idea of metaphysical oneness of nature, however the author himself may have interpreted them. To the Jews, however, the claim implied in them seemed blasphemy. They take up stones. Jesus appeals to what He has done for men. For which of such works would they stone Him? To their obvious answer (John 10:33) He replies with an argument drawn from Scripture, your law (cf. John 12:34, John 15:25), as the author calls Psalms 82:6. If Scripture calls men, commissioned by God to act for Him, gods, one whom the Father has set apart (Jeremiah 1:5) and sent (Isaiah 6:8) cannot be accused of blasphemy for calling Himself God's Son. The meaning of the phrase the word of God came is doubtful. It may only mean the passage cited, those referred to in Psalms 82. More probably it means all to whom God's message came empowering them to act for Him. What He does, as God's Messenger, is the true test of His union with the Father. Again they try to seize Him, but He escapes. Recognising His danger in Jerusalem He withdraws to Peræ a, the scene of John's former baptism. Many who follow recall, in the old surroundings, John's witness to Him, supported now by works such as the Baptist never did. And so they come to fuller faith. The retirement to Peræ a is supported by Mark 10:1, and perhaps also by Lk., who in John 13:31 ff. records incidents in Herod's dominions (? Peræ a), after He has been near Jerusalem (John 10:38 ff.).