John 10:24
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Then came the Jews--the rulers. (See on Joh 1:19). How long dost thou make us to doubt?--"hold us in suspense" (Margin). If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly--But when the plainest evidence of it was resisted, what weight could a mere assertion of it have?
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's parabolical discourse concerning himself as the door of the sheepfold, and the shepherd of the sheep (v. 1-18). II. The various sentiments of people upon it (Joh 10:19-21). III. The dispute Christ had with the Jews in the temple at the feast of dedication (v. 22-39). IV. His departure into the country thereupon (Joh 10:40-42).
Open source ↗10:24 The people who surrounded Jesus might have been seeking clarity, or they might have been hostile. In Luke 21:20 and Heb 11:30, the same word describes how Jerusalem and Jericho were surrounded before being destroyed; in Acts 14:20 it refers to Paul’s disciples rallying around him after he was injured.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”
Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”
“Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied.
I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ.
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.