John 10:22 kjv
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
John 10:22 nkjv
Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.
John 10:22 niv
Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,
John 10:22 esv
At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,
John 10:22 nlt
It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication.
John 10 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 10:22 | At that time the Festival of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. | Festival Context |
| John 10:23 | Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's Portico. | Location and Action |
| John 10:24 | So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? | Confrontation and Questioning |
| John 10:24 | If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” | Explicit Messianic Inquiry |
| John 2:20 | The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” | Past Challenge to Jesus' Authority |
| Isaiah 9:6 | For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. | Prophecy of the Messiah |
| Daniel 9:25 | Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and to build Jerusalem until an anointed one, a prince, shall appear, there shall be seven weeks. | Messianic Timing Prophecy |
| Matthew 11:2-6 | Now when John the Baptist heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” | John the Baptist's Question |
| John 7:40-43 | Some of the people, when they heard these words, said, “This is really the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Can the Christ come from Galilee? Did not the Scripture say that the Christ, the offspring of David, comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of him. | Divided Opinions about Jesus' Identity |
| John 7:12, 43, 52 | Whispers about Jesus; dispute about his origin. | Jesus' Identity a Topic of Debate |
| Acts 1:6-7 | So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” | Messianic Expectation of Kingdom Restoration |
| Romans 11:26 | and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.” | Deliverer and National Salvation |
| 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 | For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles. | Jewish Expectation of Signs |
| Zechariah 14:4 | On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives, which is opposite Jerusalem on the east. | Future Messianic Event |
| Psalm 2:6-7 | “Nevertheless, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will recount the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” | Divine Sonship and Kingship |
| John 5:30-31 | “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I do not seek my own will but the will of him who sent me.” | Jesus' Testimony to His Mission |
| John 8:14, 16 | Jesus’ earlier defense of His witness. | Jesus' Witness of Himself |
| 1 John 5:10 | Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne to his Son. | Belief in Jesus' Testimony |
| John 5:31-32, 37 | Jesus appealed to the Father’s testimony and the Father’s own testimony bore witness to him. | Testimony supporting Jesus |
| Luke 24:27, 44-45 | Jesus opened disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures concerning Him. | Scriptural Basis for Identity |
John 10 verses
John 10 22 Meaning
The verse describes Jesus attending the Festival of Dedication (also known as Hanukkah) in Jerusalem during winter. He is walking in Solomon's Portico when the Jewish leaders surround him. They demand a clear answer from him: "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." This request highlights their doubt and their expectation of a specific, visible messianic claimant who would fulfill their political and national hopes.
John 10 22 Context
The immediate context is Jesus’ discourse on being the Good Shepherd in John chapter 10, where he contrasts himself with the thieves and robbers who do not care for the sheep. He asserts his intimate knowledge of his sheep and their knowledge of him, linking it to the Father's gift. Following this, the Jewish leaders question his identity. The broader context of John's Gospel is the ongoing revelation of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, amidst various responses from the Jewish populace and leadership. This encounter at the Festival of Dedication, a commemoration of religious freedom and the re-dedication of the Temple after desecration, highlights the continued tension and the expectation for a Messiah who would deliver and reign. The historical setting is Jerusalem during winter, a time when Jewish people would gather for this important festival. The confrontation reflects a period of heightened scrutiny and opposition towards Jesus, stemming from his teachings and claims.
John 10 22 Word analysis
- "At that time": Refers to the period immediately following the discourse on the Good Shepherd.
- "the Festival of Dedication": (Greek: ta enkainia). This refers to Hanukkah, instituted by Judas Maccabeus in 164 BC to commemorate the cleansing and rededication of the Temple after its desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes. It is an eight-day festival of lights, celebrated in winter.
- "took place": (Greek: egeneto). Literally "came to be" or "happened."
- "at Jerusalem": The religious and political heart of Israel, the usual setting for significant religious observances.
- "in the temple": Referring to the Herodian Temple complex.
- "in Solomon's Portico": (Greek: en te stoa tou Salomonos). A portico or covered walkway on the eastern side of the Temple court, named after King Solomon. It was a place where people gathered and Jesus often taught.
- "So the Jews": Refers to the Jewish authorities or prominent leaders who were questioning Jesus.
- "gathered around him": Signifies a deliberate and possibly hostile approach, seeking to corner Jesus.
- "and said to him": Indicates a direct confrontation.
- "How long": (Greek: heos pote). Expresses impatience and a demand for a definitive answer.
- "will you keep us in suspense?": (Greek: panta sē hema?). Literally "lift us up?" or "keep us hanging?" It conveys their feeling of uncertainty and their demand for Jesus to resolve the ambiguity of his claims. They are unsettled by his teaching and actions, wanting a clear affirmation or rejection.
- "If you are the Christ": (Greek: ei su ei o Christos). A direct challenge to his messianic identity, implying their disbelief or doubt.
- "tell us plainly": (Greek: peis hema phaneros). Asks for a straightforward, unambiguous declaration.
John 10 22 Bonus Section
The festival of Dedication, or Hanukkah, commemorated not just a historical victory but also divine intervention and purification of God's house. Jesus, who claimed to be greater than the Temple and had prophesied its destruction and rebuilding in three days (John 2:19-21), was likely present at this festival as a subtle reminder of his own redemptive work and purification of God’s true Temple—His body and His people. The leaders’ demand for a plain answer might stem from a superficial understanding of messianic prophecies, expecting a political liberator, and they were impatient with Jesus’ spiritual and divine claims that didn’t align with their preconceived notions. This impatience is echoed in Israel's history, from the Exodus to the wilderness wanderings, where a constant demand for signs and definitive proofs marked their relationship with God.
John 10 22 Commentary
This verse marks a pivotal moment of direct confrontation concerning Jesus' identity. The Jewish leaders, frustrated by his ambiguous claims or perhaps their own resistance to his claims, demand a plain statement: "Are you the Messiah?" This reflects a common expectation that the Messiah would openly announce his identity and begin his reign. Jesus' response (in the subsequent verses not quoted here) highlights the inadequacy of their expectation and his intention to reveal his identity not through their mandated methods, but through his works and through the testimony of the Father. The timing of the Festival of Dedication, a celebration of God's faithfulness and the light overcoming darkness, underscores the contrast between the celebration and the leaders' spiritual blindness towards Jesus, the true Light.