How does John 10:31 illustrate Jesus' claim of divinity?
Setting the Scene: the Good Shepherd Discourse
-John 10:22-30 takes place at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem.
- Jesus declares unique prerogatives that belong to God alone:
• “My sheep hear My voice… I give them eternal life… no one will snatch them out of My hand” (vv. 27-28).
• “No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (v. 29).
• Climactic assertion: “I and the Father are one” (v. 30).
- The crowd immediately grasps the force of His words, leading straight to v. 31: “At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him”.
Why the Stones? Recognizing a Claim to Deity- Under the Law, deliberate blasphemy—claiming equality with God—was punishable by stoning (Leviticus 24:16).
- Their reaction shows they understood Jesus to be identifying Himself with Yahweh, not merely acting as a prophet or moral teacher (seeJohn 10:33).
- The word “again” reaches back toJohn 8:58-59, where Jesus said, “Before Abraham was born, I AM,” and they tried to stone Him then as well.
Divine Attributes Jesus Had Just Claimed1. Sovereign ownership of the flock (vv. 27-28).
2. Power to grant eternal life (v. 28).
3. Omnipotent preservation—no one can overpower His hand (vv. 28-29).
4. Essential unity with the Father (v. 30).
• The verb “are” is plural: two persons.
• The noun “one” is neuter: one essence.
5. Shared hand with the Father—identical omnipotence (vv. 28-29).
Old-Testament Echoes That Heighten the Claim-Psalm 23:1—“The LORD is my Shepherd”; Jesus now says He is the Shepherd.
-Ezekiel 34:11-16—Yahweh promises to search for His sheep; Jesus fulfills that role.
-Deuteronomy 32:39—“There is no one who can deliver out of My hand”; Jesus repeats the same exclusive sovereignty.
New-Testament Affirmations of the Same Truth-John 1:1, 14—“The Word was God… the Word became flesh.”
-John 20:28—Thomas calls Him “My Lord and my God.”
-Colossians 2:9—“In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily.”
-Hebrews 1:8—The Father addresses the Son: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”
WhatJohn 10:31 Teaches Us- The immediate attempt to stone Jesus underscores that His audience heard an unmistakable claim to divinity.
- If Jesus were only claiming to be a messenger, stoning would be unwarranted; their extreme response validates the literal weight of His words.
- Scripture records this reaction to show believers that Jesus openly revealed Himself as God incarnate, and that this truth is central, not optional, to the gospel (John 8:24).
Living in Light of His Deity- Because the Shepherd is truly God, His promise of eternal security is absolutely reliable.
- Worship, obedience, and trust are the fitting responses to the One who shares the Father’s very essence.
