John 10:22-25 (WEL) Now in Jerusalem, the Feast of Dedication [Hanukkah] began. It was winter. 23 And Jesus was walking on Solomon’s Portico in the Temple. 24 Then the Jews surrounded him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, plainly tell us.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness of me.”
V22 Now in Jerusalem, the Feast of Dedication [Hanukkah] began. It was winter.
Bible Knowledge commentary: “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 (John 7:2), which was in October. Jesus again returned to the temple area.”
V23 Jesus was walking on Solomon’s Portico in the Temple.
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) The Portico is “the name of two porches associated with the temple in Jerusalem:
- The outer corridor of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:3, KJV; portico, NIV).
- A roofed portico on the east side of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem (John 10:23; Solomon’s Portico, REB; Solomon’s Colonnade, NIV).”
John was an eyewitness and writes what he saw.
V24 Then the Jews surrounded him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, plainly tell us.”
These Jews refer to the Jewish religious leaders. This question has been answered by the Lord Jesus verbally (John 4:26, John 8:24, Luke 4:21, etc.), actions (John 10:25), and fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets (Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, etc.).
Why do they want Jesus to keep telling them? Because they want more witnesses of what Jesus says, so they can kill him.
AskAndyAI (Dr. Andy Woods):
Why did the Jewish leaders want to kill the Lord Jesus?
“In short, the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead because He threatened everything that preserved their authority, honor, and religious order. Several motives drove their determination:
- He threatened their power and popularity. Jesus was drawing the crowds and influence away from the leadership, so they felt politically and religiously endangered.
- He undermined their control and exposed their hypocrisy. His teaching and actions challenged the religious establishment and their ability to maintain the status quo.
- He provoked fear of social and ritual disruption. They worried about matters like Sabbath and Passover observance and the “defilement” or loss of control over the people if Jesus’ movement continued.
- He embarrassed and angered them doctrinally. Jesus’ claims (e.g., to be equal with the Father) were judged blasphemous by many leaders, which intensified their rage.
- They sought to neutralize his influence by any means, even fabricating charges and seeking false witnesses so they could execute him.
“Taken together, conviction by the Spirit, wounded pride, political anxiety, and fear for the stability of their institutions produced the deadly resolve of the leadership.”
V25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness of me.”
Jesus sums it up distinctly, “I told you, and you don’t believe.” Not much more can be said.
Jesus tells the truth. Jesus tells the truth so they can believe and place their faith and trust in Him alone for salvation. Jesus tells the truth, so they can be free from slavery to sin. Jesus tells the truth so they can serve God. Jesus tells them so they can know true Bible interpretation and application.
We learn:
- The Jewish leaders continuously want to kill Jesus.
- Jesus tells the truth.
Questions:
- How is your relationship with Jesus Christ?
- Do you believe what Jesus tells about Himself, salvation, and God’s ways?