John 10 19

John 10:19 kjv

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

John 10:19 nkjv

Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

John 10:19 niv

The Jews who heard these words were again divided.

John 10:19 esv

There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.

John 10:19 nlt

When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him.

John 10 verses

John 10 19 Meaning

John 10:19 describes a profound and recurring schism that developed among the Jewish people, specifically the religious leaders and their followers, immediately following Jesus's discourse as the Good Shepherd. This verse highlights that Jesus's radical claims of being the exclusive path to eternal life, possessing divine authority, and having an intimate unity with the Father were deeply divisive, compelling people to either accept or vehemently reject His identity and message. The "division" was not a mere disagreement but a fundamental split in belief regarding who Jesus was and His relationship to God.

John 10 19 Context

John 10:19 is situated immediately after Jesus's powerful discourse on Himself as the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:1-18), a profound allegory revealing His divine identity, loving care for His followers, and self-sacrificial mission. In this discourse, Jesus explicitly claims to be the "door of the sheep" and the "Good Shepherd" who lays down His life, gives eternal life, and holds His sheep securely in His and the Father's hand. He contrasts Himself with "thieves and robbers" and "hired hands," implicitly condemning the inadequate, self-serving spiritual leadership of His day. This discourse occurred during or near the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah, Jn 10:22). Throughout John's Gospel, there is an ongoing conflict between Jesus and "the Jews," often referring specifically to the hostile Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem, not the entire Jewish people. Verse 19 shows that Jesus's bold claims in the preceding verses, asserting unique divine prerogatives and authority, were not received with unified belief but instead caused a deepened and continued fracturing among His listeners.

John 10 19 Word analysis

• There was again (πάλιν οὖν ἐσχίσθη - palin oun eschisthe):
  • "again" (πάλιν, palin): This adverb signifies a recurrence, indicating that this division was not an isolated event. It recalls previous instances of split opinions and disagreements concerning Jesus, such as in John 7:43 and John 9:16. It underscores a persistent pattern of opposition and controversy sparked by Jesus's presence and teachings.
  • "was ... a division" (ἐσχίσθη, eschisthe): This verb, from the root schizo (σχίζω), means "to tear," "to split," or "to separate." In the passive voice, it indicates something happening to them. It is the root for the English word "schism." This term is much stronger than mere disagreement; it implies a deep, fundamental fracturing and opposition that leads to a parting of ways, not simply a difference of opinion. It implies irreconcilable differences concerning ultimate truth.
• a division (σχίσμα - schisma): The noun form of eschisthe. It refers to a deep internal split, a rupture or tear, often implying a formal or public separation due to differing beliefs. This signifies a profound theological, social, and spiritual rift within the Jewish community, not just a casual disagreement.
• among the Jews (ἐν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις - en tois Ioudaiois):
  • "the Jews" (οἱ Ἰουδαίοι, hoi Ioudaioi): In John's Gospel, this phrase often does not refer to the entire ethnic or national group universally but specifically to the Jewish religious establishment, its leaders, and their adherents who were hostile and actively opposed to Jesus. This focus emphasizes the official and institutional resistance Jesus faced in Jerusalem.
• because of these words (διὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους - dia tous logous toutous):
  • "because of" (διὰ, dia + accusative): This preposition indicates the causal agent or reason.
  • "these words" (τοὺς λόγους τούτους, tous logous toutous): Refers directly to Jesus's preceding discourse in John 10:1-18. Specifically, the "words" encompass His radical claims of being the exclusive Good Shepherd, the giver of eternal life, the one intimately united with God the Father ("I and the Father are one," Jn 10:30), and His ultimate authority over His own life and the salvation of His sheep. These are not trivial statements but profound declarations of His divine nature and messianic mission.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "There was again a division among the Jews": This phrase captures the enduring and recurrent pattern of profound societal and religious fragmentation concerning Jesus's identity. The schisma signifies that Jesus's message left no room for neutrality, forcing individuals to take a side, revealing existing fault lines within the religious and social fabric of Judea. This recurrence emphasizes the steadfast rejection by many of the powerful religious authorities despite repeated evidence and teaching from Jesus.
• "because of these words": This direct attribution pinpoints the cause of the schism to Jesus's authoritative, unequivocal, and implicitly divine declarations. It signifies that the conflict stemmed not from misunderstanding minor points, but from the core substance of Jesus's identity and mission as expressed through His explicit claims—claims that fundamentally challenged the established religious order and their understanding of God.

John 10 19 Bonus section

• The "division" is often viewed by scholars as a polemic against the existing Jewish religious leadership (the "thieves and robbers," "hired hands" from Jn 10:1-18) who were failing to properly care for God's "sheep." Jesus's claim as the true Shepherd therefore intensified this division as it directly challenged their spiritual authority.
• The persistence of this "again" division illustrates a hardening of hearts among those who continuously reject Jesus's claims. Each successive declaration from Jesus further entrenches the opposing sides, moving from debate to deeper antagonism, setting the stage for Jesus's ultimate rejection and crucifixion.
• The spiritual reality is that Jesus, as Light and Truth, exposes spiritual darkness (Jn 3:19-21). This verse is an example of that exposure, where people's reactions reveal their spiritual alignment, whether for or against God's self-revelation in Jesus.
• The term schisma points to an existential crisis of faith for those confronted by Jesus's identity. It implies a breaking apart of worldview, where either Jesus's claims are true and transform everything, or they are false and condemn Him. There is no middle ground in this divide.

John 10 19 Commentary

John 10:19 powerfully summarizes the consistent impact of Jesus's ministry: it brought not consensus, but division. His claims in the Good Shepherd discourse (Jn 10:1-18)—about being the divine guardian, giver of eternal life, and one with the Father—were so absolute that they compelled a decisive response. They could not be ignored or superficially reconciled with existing beliefs. Consequently, they polarized His audience into factions: those who saw Him as from God and those who considered Him demon-possessed or a blasphemer. This ongoing schisma highlights Jesus's role as a "sign to be opposed" (Lk 2:34), demonstrating that the truth of God, especially as embodied in Christ, often confronts and divides rather than universally unites, exposing the true intentions and spiritual allegiances of individuals. Neutrality concerning Jesus is not an option; His words invariably prompt a choice that defines one's spiritual position.