John 10 24

John 10:24 kjv

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

John 10:24 nkjv

Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

John 10:24 niv

The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

John 10:24 esv

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

John 10:24 nlt

The people surrounded him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

John 10 verses

John 10 24 Meaning

The Jews are asking Jesus directly if He is the Christ, the promised Messiah. Jesus responds by affirming His identity and revealing the nature of His relationship with the Father. He states that He and the Father are one, emphasizing their unity in essence and purpose. This claim directly challenges their understanding of the Messiah and reveals His divine nature.

John 10 24 Context

This verse occurs within Jesus' discourse in the temple during the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22). The Jewish leaders had previously challenged His authority (John 2:18), and now they directly ask if He claims to be the Messiah. They press Him for a clear answer. Jesus' response not only answers their question but also asserts a truth that deeply offends their monotheistic sensibilities, leading them to accuse Him of blasphemy. The backdrop is the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment regarding His identity and claims.

John 10 24 Word analysis

• "They": Refers to the Jewish leaders.

• "then": Indicates the temporal sequence following their persistent questioning.

• "came": Marks the action of approaching Jesus.

• "round": Suggests a circular movement, to surround or confront Him.

• "him": The direct object of their action, Jesus.

• "and": A conjunction connecting the action and the question.

• "said": The act of speaking.

• "unto": Preposition indicating to whom the words are directed.

• "him": Again, Jesus.

• "How": A question word inquiring about the manner or method.

• "long": Refers to duration of time.

• "dost": Archaic form of "doest," second person singular present of "do."

• "thou": Second person singular pronoun, addressing Jesus.

• " ||life|| ": (Greek: "bios" or "zoe") – "Zoe" typically refers to spiritual, divine life; the life of God. In John's Gospel, it refers to the eternal life possessed by believers through Christ. It implies not merely existence but a quality of life in communion with God. Jesus consistently contrasts temporal earthly existence with His gift of eternal "zoe".

• " ||holdest": (Greek: "aíro") – Can mean "lift up," "take away," or "bear." Here it implies "hold captive" or "keep in suspense." They are asking if Jesus is prolonging their doubt or uncertainty about His identity.

• "our": Possessive pronoun, referring to the Jewish people or their perspective.

• " || || || || || || ": (Greek: "pino") – Refers to drinking. It's used metaphorically here. Jesus had previously spoken about "drinking" from His "living water" (John 4:10, 14) and a "cup" of suffering (Mark 10:38-39). The question implies, "When will You reveal the full truth and drink your destined cup of Messiahship, or perhaps, when will You make us fully 'drink' in the sense of fully embracing your messianic claims or revealing your full plan?"

• " || || || || || || ": (Greek: "bapto") – Means "to dip," "immerse," or "plunge." This word, combined with "drink" (pino), is a clear allusion to Jesus' impending suffering and death. They are indirectly asking if He is about to be baptized with the baptism of suffering and death which will bring about the full manifestation of His messianic mission and ultimate triumph or if He will "dip" Himself into that suffering. The passive voice implies His willing submission.

• " || || || || || || ": (Greek: "agón") – This word refers to an athletic contest, struggle, or agonising effort. The verse is rendered with this word in some older translations in a question like "How long wilt thou beget us to us like an agon?" suggesting Jesus was the "progenitor" or source of a struggle, and they were inquiring about the end of this struggle for them. However, modern scholarship strongly favors the reading involving "holding life" and "baptizing."

• Phrases/Groups:

  • " || || || || || || ": (Greek: "mé"). This is a negative particle often used in questions expressing surprise or urging. It intensifies their plea for a clear answer.
  • " || || || || || || || || ": (Greek: "póson chrónon psuchas echéis ") – "How much longer will you be holding our souls?" The implication is that Jesus is manipulating their understanding or prolonging their state of uncertainty, or perhaps suggesting His influence over their spiritual lives.
  • " || || || || || || || || || || ": (Greek: "án meta ten ázmō?") – The interpretation here hinges on understanding "ázmos." Some translations take it to mean "at once" or "soon." A more accepted rendering interprets it as relating to "drinking" or "immersing." It forms a metaphorical question about Jesus’ impending immersion in suffering, which is central to His messianic identity and mission, particularly His baptism of suffering. The question is asking about the timing of His ultimate purpose and suffering.

John 10 24 Bonus section

Jesus’ assertion of unity with the Father directly confronts the Jewish monotheistic creed (the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4). They understood "one" (Hebrew: echad) as a unique, indivisible oneness. For Jesus to claim to be "one" with the Father implied a divinity they reserved solely for Yahweh. This underscores that the conflict was not merely political or nationalistic, but profoundly theological and existential. Jesus is not claiming to be like God, but is God. This establishes a critical boundary in understanding Jesus’ claims: He is not merely a prophet or a wise teacher; He is divine. His identity is intrinsically linked to the Father's. The implication for believers is that by having Jesus, they have access to the Father, because they are fundamentally united. This also means that to reject Jesus is to reject the Father.

John 10 24 Commentary

The Jews are persistently probing Jesus about His Messiahship, not out of genuine inquiry but likely from suspicion and accusation. Their question, "How long will you keep us in suspense?" or "How long will you lead us on?" (depending on translation), implies He is prolonging their understanding of His role or even deceiving them. Jesus' response, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness about me," reiterates His prior statements and the undeniable evidence of His miracles. The Jews' subsequent statement about His " || || || || || || " ("eating," or "drinking" – interpreted by scholars as a symbolic reference to His suffering and death, a baptism of blood and agony) reveals their focus on a more worldly, triumphant Messiah. Jesus’ profound reply, "I and the Father are one," is the climax. It’s not a statement of shared opinion or partnership, but a declaration of absolute unity in essence, nature, and purpose. This unity is the basis of His claims and His ability to give eternal life. The Jews understand this claim precisely as He intends – as a claim to divine equality – and their immediate reaction is to accuse Him of blasphemy, thus highlighting the shocking nature of Jesus’ self-disclosure and its implications for their theological understanding.