John 10:22-42 - Jesus At The Feast Of The Dedication
22 During the winter, when the Festival of Dedication was being held in Jerusalem [Note: This was the Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in BC after its pagan desecration by Greeks. It is still observed today by Jews as "Hanukkah."], 23 Jesus was walking in the Temple [area] in "Solomon's Portico" [Note: This was a large covered area, with rows of columns, on the outside of the Temple enclosure]. 24 Some Jewish [authorities] gathered around Him and asked, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you [really] are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered them, "I did tell you, but you would not believe me. The [miraculous] deeds that I am doing in my Father's name [i.e., by the Father's authority] testify about me. 26 But you do not believe me, because you are not [part] of my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them never ending life and they will never be destroyed, and no one will [be able to] steal them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me [i.e., my sheep] are greater than everything [else], and no one is able to steal them from the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."
31 Then the Jews again picked up stones [intending] to stone Him.
32 Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good deeds [i.e., miracles], performed through the Father. Which one of them are you stoning me for?"
33 The Jews answered Him, "We are not stoning you for a good deed, but for your abusive speech [i.e., about God], and because you are claiming to be God, even though you are [only] a man."
34 Jesus replied to them, "Is it not written in your law [Psa. 82:6], 'I said, you people are gods'? 35 If God called those people, to whom His message came, "gods" (and Scripture cannot be set aside), 36 how can you people say to Him, whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, 'You are speaking abusively [i.e., about God],' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? He is the One whom the Father set apart [i.e., for His service] and sent into the world. 37 If I am not doing my Father's deeds [i.e., miracles], do not believe me. 38 But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the deeds. Then you will know and continue to know that the Father is in me, and that I am in the Father." 39 [Then] the Jews again tried to arrest Him, but He escaped from their hands.
40 Then Jesus again went across [to the east side of] the Jordan River, to the place where John had first immersed people, and stayed there. 41 Many people came to Him and were saying, "It is true that John did not perform any [miraculous] signs, but everything he said about this man was true." 42 So, many people there believed in Jesus.