Feast of Dedication

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,

and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade.

So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.

But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe.

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.

My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

I and the Father are one.”

At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him.

But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”

“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God?

If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me.

But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.