Study Desk

"We know [for certain] that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this Man, we do not know where He is from."

"We know [according to your tradition] that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone fears God and does His will, He hears him.

Jesus said to them, "If you were blind [to spiritual things], you would have no sin [and would not be blamed for your unbelief]; but since you claim to have [spiritual] sight, [you have no excuse so] your sin and guilt remain.

"I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall], that one is a thief and a robber.

"But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider].

"They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.

"All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.

"But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

"No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father."

"But you do not believe Me [so you do not trust and follow Me] because you are not My sheep.

The Jews answered Him, "We are not going to stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy, because You, a mere man, make Yourself out to be God."

"But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works [that I do—admit that they are the works of God], so that you may know and keep on knowing [clearly—without any doubt] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [that is, I am One with Him]."

So they tried again to seize Him, but He eluded their grasp.

Many came to Him, and they were saying, "John did not perform a single sign (attesting miracle), but everything John said about this Man was true and accurate."

When Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness will not end in death; but [on the contrary it is] for the glory and honor of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it."

"But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him."

He said this, and after that said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him."

However, Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was referring to natural sleep.

"And for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."