and Jesus was walkingThis phrase indicates a deliberate action by Jesus, suggesting His active engagement with the people and the religious leaders. Walking implies movement and presence, highlighting Jesus' accessibility and willingness to teach and interact with those around Him. This action is consistent with His ministry, where He often traveled to various locations to preach and perform miracles.
in the temple courts
The temple courts refer to the outer areas of the Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and gathering for the Jewish people. This location is significant as it was a place where religious teaching and discussions often occurred. The temple courts were accessible to all, including Gentiles, making it a strategic location for Jesus to reach a diverse audience. The setting underscores the importance of the Temple in Jewish life and worship, and Jesus' presence there emphasizes His role as a teacher and His connection to Jewish tradition.
in Solomon’s Colonnade
Solomon's Colonnade, also known as Solomon's Porch, was a covered walkway on the eastern side of the Temple complex. It was named after King Solomon, who built the first Temple. This area was known for its grandeur and was a common place for teaching and gathering. The mention of Solomon's Colonnade connects Jesus to the wisdom and legacy of Solomon, a revered figure in Jewish history. It also serves as a backdrop for Jesus' teachings, linking Him to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the continuation of God's covenant with Israel. Solomon's Colonnade is later mentioned in Acts as a place where the early church gathered, indicating its ongoing significance in the early Christian community.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is teaching and performing miracles throughout His ministry.
2.
Temple CourtsThe outer courts of the Temple in Jerusalem, a place where teaching and discussions often took place. It was accessible to both Jews and Gentiles.
3.
Solomon’s ColonnadeA covered porch or portico on the eastern side of the Temple, named after King Solomon. It was a common gathering place for teaching and public discourse.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Place in Worship and TeachingThe Temple courts, and specifically Solomon’s Colonnade, were significant locations for teaching and gathering. This highlights the importance of having dedicated spaces for worship and learning in our own lives.
Jesus’ Accessibility and Public MinistryJesus chose to teach in a public and accessible place, demonstrating His desire to reach all people. We should strive to make our faith and teachings accessible to others.
Continuity of God’s WorkThe use of Solomon’s Colonnade in both Jesus’ and the apostles’ ministries shows the continuity of God’s work through different times and people. We are part of a larger account and should seek to continue God’s work in our own contexts.
The Role of Tradition and History in FaithThe historical significance of Solomon’s Colonnade reminds us of the value of tradition and history in our faith. We should respect and learn from the past while engaging with the present.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 10:23?
2.How does John 10:23 illustrate Jesus' presence in our daily lives?
3.What significance does Solomon's Colonnade hold in John 10:23's context?
4.How can we seek Jesus' guidance as He walked in Solomon's Colonnade?
5.Connect John 10:23 with other instances of Jesus teaching in the temple.
6.How can we create spaces for spiritual reflection like Solomon's Colonnade today?
7.Why was Jesus walking in Solomon’s Colonnade in John 10:23?
8.What significance does Solomon’s Colonnade hold in biblical history?
9.How does John 10:23 relate to Jesus' claim of divinity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 10?
11.What was Solomon's Porch?
12.What is the Feast of Dedication?
13.Luke 20:1–8: How historically reliable is the account of Jesus questioning the religious leaders when there is limited external confirmation of this exchange?
14.(2 Chronicles 7:16) How do we reconcile God's statement that His Name would dwell in the temple 'forever' with the destruction of that temple in subsequent history?What Does John 10:23 Mean
Jesus was walkingJohn records, “and Jesus was walking…” (John 10:23).
• A literal, eyewitness detail anchoring the scene in history (cf.Luke 24:15–16).
• The Good Shepherd is on the move among His flock, just as He “goes before them” (John 10:4).
• Accessible and approachable, mirroring the incarnation: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
• Ministry in motion—He continually seeks, teaches, and heals (seeMark 6:34).
in the temple courtsThese outer courts were the most public area of the temple.
• Open to all, including God-fearing Gentiles (Isaiah 56:7;Acts 8:27-28).
• FulfillsMalachi 3:1—“the Lord… will suddenly come to His temple”.
• Jesus had already purified this space (John 2:14-17); now He fills it with truth.
• Occurs during the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22), tying His presence to themes of cleansing and light (John 8:12).
in Solomon’s ColonnadeA long, covered portico along the temple’s east side.
• Provided shelter in winter and room for crowds.
• Named for the temple-builder Solomon, yet “something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42).
• Later becomes the church’s gathering place (Acts 3:11; 5:12), showing continuity between Jesus’ ministry and the apostles’.
• An ideal setting for open dialogue; Jesus taught “nothing in secret” (John 18:20).
summaryJohn 10:23 isn’t a throwaway travel note. It portrays a real, bodily Messiah deliberately positioning Himself in the heart of Israel’s worship, walking among ordinary people, fulfilling prophecy, and inviting every listener to hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow.
(23)
And Jesus walked in the temple . . .--Better,
and Jesus was walking. The scene is remembered and pictured as it took place.
In Solomon's porch.--The place is mentioned again inActs 3:11;Acts 5:12. It was rather a cloisteror arcade than what we usually call a porch. It is said to have been on the east of the Temple, and to have been a relic of the original building which had survived all destructions and restorations, and had brought down its founder's name from its founder's time. (Comp. Jos.Ant. xx. 9, ? 7.) It does not seem clear, however, that Josephus calls anything more than the eastern wall by the name of Solomon, and he calls the cloister above it simply the "Eastern cloister." It is more likely that the true position of "Solomon's porch" is to be found in one of the subterranean structures which existed in the time of our Lord, and exist now as they did in the time of Solomon. Caspari would identify the corridor underEl-Aksa with "Solomon's porch," and thus connect the place where our Lord walked at this feast with the Holy Church of Zion, and the place of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. (Chron. and Geogr., Introd., Append. ? 22; Eng. Trans., pp. 297-9. Comp. Note on refs. in Acts.) The place as mentioned here is another instance of the writer's remembrance of topographical details connected with the Temple. (Comp.John 8:20.) The fact that it was winter, and the fact that He was walking in this covered cloister or crypt, explain each other.
Verse 23. -
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. He walked in
Solomon's portico - that part of the temple of Herod which the apostles afterwards adopted as the scene of some of their most explicit assertions of the gospel (
Acts 3:11;
Acts 5:12). It was associated with the grandest events in their national history; for it was reared on the substructions of Solomon's temple, which even to the present day are intact (Robinson's 'Palestine,' 1:289; Palestine Exploration Society's Reports; 'Recovery of Jerusalem,' frontispiece, pp. 17, 226, 309-319). The Lord walked there because it was winter, and wintry weather. This reveals a little touch of the hand of an eye-witness. We need not ask for any more transcendental explanation. The note of time, moreover, implies that two months had elapsed since the Feast of Tabernacles. Wieseler calculates that the Feast of Tabernacles closed on October 19, and the Feast of Dedication began on December 20, and, if so, time is left for a portion of the Galilaean ministry cited in
Luke 10. - 13.
Ezra 10:9-13 shows that the time referred to was after a period of heavy rain, and may account for Jesus walking in the shelter of the portico.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.was walkingπεριεπάτει(periepatei)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4043:From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.temple courtsἱερῷ(hierō)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411:Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.Solomon’sΣολομῶνος(Solomōnos)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4672:Solomon, son of David King of Israel, and Bathsheba. Of Hebrew origin; Solomon, the son of David.Colonnade.στοᾷ(stoa)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4745:A colonnade, portico. Probably from histemi; a colonnade or interior piazza.
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NT Gospels: John 10:23 It was winter and Jesus was walking (Jhn Jo Jn) 
