And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
The setting is Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication, and it was winter. This places the saying within the passage in which Jesus presents himself as the true Shepherd of God's flock. As he was walking in Solomon's porch, those around him pressed him to tell them plainly whether he was the Christ.
In him the shepherd prophecies were fulfilled, for he seeks the lost, cares for the weak, and gathers and protects his people. By contrast, the leaders of Israel were shown to be unworthy shepherds, because they drove a witness to Jesus out of the fold.
His works bore testimony to who he was, yet his opponents did not believe because they were not his sheep. His sheep hear his voice, are known by him, and follow him, and they receive eternal life, held secure in his keeping and in the Father's keeping.
The setting is Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication, and it was winter. This places the saying within the passage in which Jesus presents himself as the true Shepherd of God's flock. As he was walking in Solomon's porch, those around him pressed him to tell them plainly whether he was the Christ.
In him the shepherd prophecies were fulfilled, for he seeks the lost, cares for the weak, and gathers and protects his people. By contrast, the leaders of Israel were shown to be unworthy shepherds, because they drove a witness to Jesus out of the fold.
His works bore testimony to who he was, yet his opponents did not believe because they were not his sheep. His sheep hear his voice, are known by him, and follow him, and they receive eternal life, held secure in his keeping and in the Father's keeping.