Reading for March 4th

 Read John 10.22-42. In verses 22-39: Continuing conflict with the Jews. In verse 22: Hanukkah, or the feast of lights, commemorating the dedication of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus (164 BCE) after the desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes (see 1 Macc 4.36-59), began on 25 Kislev and ran for 8 days. In verse 23: The portico of Solomon, the covered walkway on the eastern side of the court of the gentiles in the Temple. In verses 24-25: The Messiah: see 1.41; 4.25-26; 7.25-31, 40-44; 9.22; 11.27; 12.34. Jesus had not explicitly told the Jews, but see 4.26 and 8.25. On the witness of the works, see 5.36. In verses 26-27: 10.3, 14, 16; 18.37. In verses 28-30: Given by the Father: See 6.35-40, 44-45; 17.2; 6, 9, 12. In verse 31: The Jews took up stones again: See 8.59, 7.30. In verses 32-33: Jesus appeals to his many good works (see 4.34; 5.17, 20; 9.4; 10.25, 36); the Jews see blasphemy (see 5.18; 10.33). In verses 34-36: Here (as in 12.34; 15.25) law means scripture, Ps 82.6. This is a type of Rabbinic argument: if something is true of the lesser, how much more is it justified of the greater. In verses 37-38: The goodness of his works is the starting place for those who find his claims difficult (compare 9.25-26, 30-33). In verses 39-42: Jesus' withdrawal (compare 7.1); where John had been baptizing (see 1.28), he finds acceptance. Comments or Questions..