The mention of "winter" isn't just a passing observation about the weather; it sets the scene for Jesus seeking shelter in Solomon's Porch, where he's confronted by the Jewish leaders. This detail subtly highlights his vulnerability and the hostile environment he's in, even as he's about to deliver a powerful message about his identity.
At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus finds himself at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, a festival commemorating the temple's rededication after its desecration. It's winter, and He's walking in the sheltered area of Solomon's Porch when a group of hostile Jews confronts Him, demanding a plain answer about whether He is the Messiah. This encounter escalates into a sharp exchange where Jesus defends His claims through His works and His intimate unity with the Father, ultimately leading the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy and pick up stones to kill Him.
Why did Jesus attend a festival during the coldest season, and what was its significance?
The Feast of Dedication, also known as Hanukkah, was a festival instituted by Judas Maccabeus to commemorate the cleansing and rededication of the Temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes. This eight-day celebration, which began on the 25th of Chislev (around mid-December), was a time of remembrance, rejoicing, and the kindling of lights, symbolizing the miraculous renewal of God's presence and favor. Jesus' presence here, walking in Solomon's Porch to escape the winter chill, shows His observance of Jewish feasts, even those of later institution. It also provides a public setting for His divine claims.
Jesus sought shelter from the elements, but what spiritual purpose did this physical protection serve?
The mention of Jesus walking in Solomon's Porch highlights His need for shelter from the winter weather. This covered walkway, a part of the Temple complex, provided a place to speak and teach. It was here, in a public yet somewhat protected space, that Jesus was confronted by hostile Jews. This setting underscores the tension between Jesus' divine mission and the opposition He faced, even as He sought to share God's truth.
Why did Jesus' direct claims to be the Son of God provoke fury, not faith?
When Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the Jewish leaders didn't see it as a mere messianic title but as blasphemy, an assertion of equality with God. They were deeply rooted in a monotheism that abhorred such claims. Jesus, however, countered by pointing to the works His Father gave Him to do, arguing that these works bore witness to His divine identity. He explained their hardened hearts by stating, "you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep." This reveals a spiritual reality: true understanding of Jesus’ identity comes not just from hearing His words but from being divinely enabled to believe, a gift reserved for His sheep who recognize His voice.
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Understand the original words
enkainia · Greek Noun
An annual Jewish festival (Hanukkah) commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 164 B.C. after its defilement by Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
hierō · Greek Noun
The central place of worship for Israel, where God’s presence dwelt among His people; it represents the intersection of the divine and the earthly.
Christos · Greek Noun
A term derived from the Hebrew 'Mashiach,' meaning 'Anointed One.' It refers to the promised King and Savior of Israel who would fulfill God's redemptive purposes.
The Feast of Dedication, commemorating a miraculous purification of the Temple, provides the backdrop for Jesus' bold claims of divinity, directly challenging the religious authorities and setting the stage for His eventual condemnation.
c. 164 BC
Temple Rededication
Judas Maccabeus purifies the Jerusalem Temple after its desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes, instituting an annual eight-day festival to commemorate the event.
c. December 20— this verse
Feast of Dedication Begins
The eight-day festival, also known as Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights, starts in Jerusalem.
During the Feast of Dedication
Jesus Confronted in the Temple
Jesus walks in Solomon's Porch as Jews question His claims, leading to a heated exchange where they accuse Him of blasphemy for claiming divinity.
Shortly after the Feast of Dedication
Jesus Retires Beyond the Jordan
Following the confrontation and an attempt by the Jews to stone Him, Jesus withdraws to the region east of the Jordan River.
This passage describes the original institution of the Feast of Dedication by Judas Maccabeus, providing the historical context for Jesus' presence at the event.
This earlier event at a Passover feast shows Jesus cleansing the temple, demonstrating His authority and zeal for God's house, mirroring the spirit of rededication.
Luke 2:41-52This account of Jesus as a boy in the temple during a feast highlights His early devotion and understanding of His divine purpose, a theme echoed in His actions during the Feast of Dedication.
John 10:24-30The immediate verses following this passage show Jesus confronting the challenging questions of the Jews, directly linking the setting of the feast to His claims of divine identity and authority.
Nehemiah 8:1-18This passage describes the dedication of the restored wall of Jerusalem after the exile, showing a precedent for public rededication ceremonies in Israel's history.
expositorsJohn 10:22: "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter."
Chapter 22JESUS, SON OF GOD. “And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s porch. The Jews therefore came round about Him, and said unto Him, How long dost Thou hold us in suspense? If Thou art the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me…
bensonJohn 10:22: "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter."
John 10:22-23 . And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication — Or, as εγενετο δε τα εγκαινια may be rendered, Now the feast of dedication came on at Jerusalem: for it does not appear that the preceding discourses, from John 7:14 , were delivered at this feast, but at the feast of tabernacles. Dr. Campbell reads, Once, when they were celebrating the feast of dedication, it being winter, as Jesus walked,…
The mention of "winter" isn't just a passing observation about the weather; it sets the scene for Jesus seeking shelter in Solomon's Porch, where he's confronted by the Jewish leaders. This detail subtly highlights his vulnerability and the hostile environment he's in, even as he's about to deliver a powerful message about his identity.
Jesus finds himself at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, a festival commemorating the temple's rededication after its desecration. It's winter, and He's walking in the sheltered area of Solomon's Porch when a group of hostile Jews confronts Him, demanding a plain answer about whether He is the Messiah. This encounter escalates into a sharp exchange where Jesus defends His claims through His works and His intimate unity with the Father, ultimately leading the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy and pick up stones to kill Him.
Jesus finds himself at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, a festival commemorating the temple's rededication after its desecration. It's winter, and He's walking in the sheltered area of Solomon's Porch when a group of hostile Jews confronts Him, demanding a plain answer about whether He is the Messiah. This encounter escalates into a sharp exchange where Jesus defends His claims through His works and His intimate unity with the Father, ultimately leading the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy and pick up stones to kill Him.
"At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you…" — The mention of "winter" isn't just a passing observation about the weather; it sets the scene for Jesus seeking shelter in Solomon's Porch, where he's confronted by the Jewish leaders. This detail su…
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Last reviewed October 2026
