“How long dost thou make us to doubt?”
The full verse · John 10:24 · KJV
the round , unto , How dost thou to ? the , .
Asked by
Jews: the Jews who surrounded Jesus in Solomon's porch at the feast of dedication, whom Barnes identifies as the rulers (John 10:22-24)
Asked to
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, walking in the temple in Solomon's porch in winter (John 10:22-23)
The Scene
It is winter in Jerusalem at the feast of the dedication, and as Jesus walks in Solomon's porch, the Jews surround Him (John 10:22-24).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionThey demanded a plain statement of whether Jesus was the Christ. Barnes explains that Jesus had applied the shepherd prophecy to Himself, yet "the rulers made a difficulty": He was from Galilee and did not look like the "splendid prince and conqueror" they expected. Gill reads their motive more darkly: they asked not out of a desire to know Him, but to trap Him. Their follow-up, "tell us plainly," shows they wanted words they could use. Matthew Henry answers the complaint simply: "Christ would make us to believe; we make ourselves doubt."
The Response
What Scripture recordsJesus answered, "I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me" (John 10:25). He said the real problem was not a lack of clarity: "ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep" (John 10:26). His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and He gives them eternal life (John 10:27-28). He ended with "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30), and they took up stones to stone Him (John 10:31).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsThe feast of the dedication was not one of the feasts of the law of Moses. Barnes notes, "This feast was instituted by Judas Maccabaeus, in the year 164 b.c." Gill explains it marked the purging, or cleansing, of the temple. Solomon's porch was a covered walkway on the east side of the temple, which Gill calls "a very magnificent structure."
The phrase "make us to doubt" is literally "lift up our soul" (psychen hemon aireis), which the interlinear glosses "hold in suspense." Gill notes that some ancient versions render it, "how long dost thou take away our soul?" "Plainly" is parresia, meaning frankness or freedom of speech.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question reveals that more information does not cure unbelief. Jesus had spoken and worked openly; the works He did "bear witness" of Him (John 10:25; John 5:36). The suspense they complained of came from their own hearts, not from His silence.
Yet Jesus' answer holds a great comfort. His sheep "hear my voice," He knows them, and "no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:27-29). The question meant to corner Him becomes an opening to show the security of all who follow Him.
Look Closer
According to Jesus, why did they still not believe?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, where have You already spoken plainly to me, and what keeps me from hearing Your voice?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- They asked for plain words but had already ignored His works. When do you ask God for more proof while overlooking what He has already shown you?
- Share how you have come to recognize Jesus' voice in your own life.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
It is fine to want clarity from God. But be honest about why you ask. These men wanted Jesus to speak plainly, yet they had not believed what He already said and did.
Look at what He has done. Jesus pointed them to His works (John 10:25). Before asking for more, consider what He has already shown you in Scripture and in His dealings with you.
If you are one of His sheep, take comfort: He knows you, gives you eternal life, and no one can pluck you from His hand (John 10:27-29).
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources